How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When choosing a pest control expert, there are a number of things that you can consider to make sure you choose the right one for you. Along with a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you may also look into how long it has been in business and what the reviews are like. Last but not least, you'll likely want to look at the cost of services.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them need to be certified at the state level. The EPA does set minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators in Florida should be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One optional certification that might be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. To get this certification, a pest control company needs to both demonstrate that its practices are more eco-friendly and maintain certain technician training standards. Companies can also obtain other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further support their work.
Pest control professionals can also belong to professional organizations. A pest control company can join state-level organizations in addition to national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can gain some insight into a pest control company's level of pest management experience by looking into how long it has been in operation. The company's website and local reviews can also tell you whether the company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests invading your home. You can always contact the company directly to learn this information if it is not available online.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can read reviews and recommendations on local review sites or social media, look up a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check its licensure status through the Florida licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the main deciding factors when looking for pest control. Cost can be influenced by factors like the type of pest being treated, your location, and the size of your house.
You can look into whether a certain company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what sort of guarantees are provided. Often, a company will guarantee that if its treatment doesn't resolve your pest problem, it will continue to come back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
It's important to consider safety when choosing a pest control expert. You might also prefer a provider who uses more natural, environmentally friendly pest control services.
Safety
You should ask your pest control provider if they plan to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, what kind of precautionary measures they will have in place. All pesticides that are not considered minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician will be able to supply information about all pesticides that they plan on using.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now trialing options for more environmentally friendly pest control techniques before relying on harsh pesticides.
One popular method for making pest control safer and greener is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always along with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and implement additional pest control as needed.
