How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When hiring a pest control company, you want to be sure to find the best one for you. In addition to a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you may also look into how long it has been in business and what the reviews look like. Finally, 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?
Per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA does set minimum standards of competency, but all Florida pesticide applicators need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One certification that pest control companies can earn is the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are eco-friendly and that its employees receive up-to-date training. QualityPro and similar trade organizations also offer additional certifications. While not required, these can help show that a company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also belong to professional organizations. A pest control company can obtain membership in both state-level organizations and national organizations like 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
The amount of time that a pest control company has been in business can give you some insight into its experience dealing with the pests that live in Poinciana. Online reviews or the company's own website can also enlighten you about whether it has the skills and experience necessary to handle your specific pest problem. If you can't find the information you need online, reaching out to the company directly is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read reviews on social media or local review sites, or check the standing of its license via the Florida licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is probably high on your list of priorities when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be affected by the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors.
Often, companies will offer free on-site estimates as part of their process, to help you determine whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether if your company has a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how environmentally friendly a provider's pest control management solutionsare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
All pesticides that will be used (except those that pose only a minimum risk) must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control technician should provide information on every pesticide they are using. They should inform you whether these chemicals are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions they plan to take.
Treatment Methods
Many pest control companies are now exploring greener and cleaner pest control solutions that can be used before (or instead of) chemical pesticides. Many follow the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Identify problem pests and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
