How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Choosing the best pest control company for you is key. You may take into consideration a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost of services.
Below, we dive into detail on each factor.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum competency standards for pesticide applicators, but licensing is regulated at the state level. All pesticide applicators and their supervisors in Georgia must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can receive optional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to support its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more eco-friendly. These companies also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
Pest control companies can also belong to professional organizations. When a company obtains membership in an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gains access to education, resources, and a network of other pest professionals with whom to compare methods. This can give you added peace of mind that a company is following industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at how long a pest control company has been in business can help determine how much experience it has dealing with common pests in Douglasville. You can also explore its website or look through customer reviews to determine whether it has adequate experience with the species of pests you are looking to get rid of. If this information can't be found online, calling the company directly is a good way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources you can use to check a company's reputation include local review sites, social media, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also confirm the status of a company's license through the Georgia licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors can all influence the cost of pest control.
You can learn whether a company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), as well as what sort of guarantees it offers. Often, a company will guarantee that if it does not solve your pest problem, it will keep coming back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when choosing a pest control provider. You may also prefer one that employs environmentally friendly practices.
Safety
You can ask your pest control technician if they will be using low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides—if not, ask about what precautionary measures will be in place. Any pesticide that presents above a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should be able to provide information about all pesticides to be used, as well as how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many companies have started making the switch to using more natural and eco-friendly treatment methods before, or in place of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some employ a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are 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, physical, biological, and cultural 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 control management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control treatment methods as needed.
