How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step is picking the right pest control company for the job. Factors you may consider include licensing and qualifications, pest intervention strategies, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
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 (and those that supervise them) must be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in Florida should be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations in order to support its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is granted to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more eco-friendly. Companies that receive this certification also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
Pest control companies can also become members of professional organizations. Pest control companies 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 professionals to compare best practices with.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The amount of time that a company has been in business can tell you something about its experience dealing with the pests that live in South Miami Heights. Online reviews or the company's own website can also enlighten you about whether it has the skills and experience necessary to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If you cannot find the answers to your questions online, contacting the company directly is an excellent way to learn about its areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources you can use to check a company's reputation include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), local review sites, and social media. Additionally, you can check the status of a company's license via the Florida licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is an important consideration when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors.
A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also see if it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when selecting a pest control provider. You may also prefer one that offers eco-friendly solutions.
Safety
Be sure to ask your pest control provider if they plan on using low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides—if not, ask about what precautionary measures they will take. Any pesticide that poses greater than minimum risk needs to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should supply information about all of the pesticides that will be used in your home, and how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many pest control companies are now exploring more eco-friendly pest management that can be implemented before (or instead of) chemical pesticides. Many are following the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Identify problem pests and assess 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 if needed, and always in combination with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in South Miami Heights
Not all pests are equally pervasive in South Miami Heights. Some species that you should be on the lookout for are these:
- Termites: Termites frequently get into your house from nearby piles of firewood, rotting wood, or mulch. If not taken care of, they can cause a substantial amount of damage and cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Moths: If you've started finding holes in your clothing or linens, it's possible that you have moths in your home. Moths prefer dark places like closets, and are more commonly found in warmer places (like South Miami Heights).
- Wasps: Wasps are often hard to get rid of, especially if you're trying to avoid being stung. They can often be found in spots like garages, attics, roof overhangs, and sheds.
- Mice: Some common signs of mouse activity include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Mice tend to frequent attics or places where you keep food.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs are found throughout Florida and can lead to serious problems if left untreated. Because bed bug infestations are often tricky to get rid of, we recommend getting professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest bedsheets, furniture, wallpaper, and more.
