How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of things that you can take into consideration when selecting the best pest control treatment methodfor you. Important decision-making factors can 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?
All pesticide applicators (and those that supervise them) must be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in the state of Georgia should be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can obtain optional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to back up its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. A company that receives this certification also needs to maintain certain employee training standards.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. While not required, membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help show a company's reputability. Organizations like the NPMA provide access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals with whom to share best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A company's years in business can indicate how much experience it has handling pests in your area. You can also browse its website or look through customer reviews to figure out whether it has experience eliminating the type of pests you are looking to get rid of. If this information is not available online, calling the company directly is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), explore local review sites and social media to learn what other people are saying, or verify its license standing through the Georgia licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when hiring for pest control services. Cost can be determined by factors like the size of your house, your location, and the type of pest being treated.
You can think about whether a company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what sort of guarantees are provided. Often, a company will guarantee that if its treatment doesn't resolve your pest problem, it will continue to come back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control company might be influenced by how environmentally friendly a provider's pest control management solutionsare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
You want to ensure that you understand the precautions around pesticides used in your house, for the sake of you, your family, and your pets. Your pest control expert should be able to provide information about the pesticides they plan to use, whether they are low toxicity or non-toxic, and (if not) what safety measures they plan to take. All pesticides (except minimum-risk ones) must be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your technician will begin with lower-toxicity and more eco-friendly options before employing harsher chemicals.
Many companies have begun to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to eliminate pests while reducing personal and environmental risks. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
