How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the right company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Important factors include the company's qualifications, its treatment methods, experience and reviews, and of course the cost of services.
Below, we explore the details of each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum competency standards for pesticide applicators, but licensing is handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in Georgia must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations. While not required, they can help you assess the quality of a company's products. For example, the GreenPro Service Certification indicates comprehensive and effective pest control methods that are safer for people and the environment.
Pest control companies can also join certain professional organizations. Being a member of organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not required, but helps verify a company's reputability. The NPMA gives companies access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The number of years that a company has been in business can shed some light on its experience dealing with various pests. Customer reviews or the company's website itself can also inform you whether it has the experience needed to deal with your particular pests. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, speaking with a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can check 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 Georgia licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
It's important to think about cost when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be influenced by your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
Often, companies will offer free on-site estimates before starting work, to help you decide whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether a company offers a satisfaction guarantees, meaning that it will continue to treat your pest problem until it is solved.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how environmentally friendly a company's pest control servicesare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
Your pest control technician should be able to explain the safety precautions of all pesticides that will be used in your home. They should be able to clarify whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic; if they are not, they should explain what safety precautions they will put in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. All pesticides that pose above a minimum risk should be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now trialing options for more eco-friendly pest control solutions before relying on harsh pesticides.
One common method for making pest control safer and greener is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and continue with additional pest control as needed.
