How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step in the pest control process is hiring the right company for you. You may take into consideration a company's qualifications, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and service prices.
Below, we discuss each factor 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 need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA maintains minimum competency standards, and the Idaho regulatory agencies handle the granting, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One certification that pest control companies can earn is the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires that a company show that its practices are environmentally friendly and that its employees receive up-to-date training. QualityPro and similar trade organizations also offer other certifications. These are not required, but can help show that a pest control company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also join various professional organizations. While not required, membership in organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help show a company's reputability. After joining an organization like the NPMA, a company receives access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to share best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at a pest control company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what kind of pests it specializes in eliminating. Local reviews can also provide some insight into a company's experience dealing with specific pests. If you're unable to find this information online, you can try reaching out to the company directly.
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 verify the status of a company's license via the Idaho licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when hiring for pest control. Cost can be influenced by factors like the size of your house, your location, and the type of pest being treated.
You can look into whether a particular 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
Safety is an important consideration when choosing a pest control company. You might also prefer a provider who employs more natural, environmentally friendly treatment plans.
Safety
All pesticides that will be used (except those that are determined to be of minimal risk) must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control technician should provide you with information on every pesticide they are using. They should inform you whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions they plan to take.
Treatment Methods
Pest control companies looking to reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides often implement procedures such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Twin Falls
Some pests are more common than others. In Twin Falls, common pests to be wary of include the following:
- Flies: You might spot flies around sinks or in places where you keep food. Flies can get into your Twin Falls home year-round, but they're particularly common when the weather gets warmer.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your attic or other dark, damp places. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your home.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations are often very hard to quash, so we strongly recommend calling a professional as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Idaho, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
- Mice: Some common signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your house. Frequently, mice can be found in attics or in areas where food is kept.
