How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Along with a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you might also look into how long it has been in business and what the reviews look like. Last but not least, you'll likely want to consider the cost of services.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators, as well as those that supervise them, should be licensed via the appropriate Florida regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but providing, maintaining, and revoking licensing is handled at the state level.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
There are additional optional certifications that can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable. One example is the GreenPro Service Certification. For this certification, a company must show that its methods are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Other various certifications can be obtained through QualityPro and similar trade organizations.
Pest control companies can also be members of various professional organizations. A pest control company can obtain membership in state-level organizations as well as national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). By being a member of these optional organizations, a company helps support its reputability and gains access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals to compare best practices with.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a pest control company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what type of pests it specializes in eliminating. Local reviews can also provide some insight into a company's experience dealing with a specific pest. If this information isn't available online, you can try contacting the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, explore reviews on local review sites or social media, or check the standing of its license via the Florida licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like the size of your house, your location, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
When thinking about the cost of services, you should first look into whether a company provides free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also look into a company's guarantees: If the problem is not fixed, or if it returns, does the company provide additional treatment until the issue is resolved satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when picking a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider that employs environmentally friendly practices.
Safety
You should ask your pest control expert if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what sort of precautionary measures they will have in place. All pesticides that are not considered minimum-risk chemicals should be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should be able to supply information about all of the pesticides that they plan on using.
Treatment Methods
Many pest control companies have started making the switch to using more natural and eco-friendly treatment methods before, or in place of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some follow a program called 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 needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control treatments as needed.
