How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When hiring a pest control professional, there are several factors that you can consider to make sure you choose the right one for you. The qualifications of and treatment methods used by a company are important to consider, as well as its years of experience and what other customers have said. Of course, you also want to consider cost.
Below, we explore the details of each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, but all Illinois pesticide applicators must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can earn the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer additional certifications. These are not required, but can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable.
There are certain professional organizations in which pest control companies can hold membership. Pest control companies can join both state-level organizations and national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to education, resources, and a network of professionals to compare best practices with.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can look at a company's years in business to help determine how much experience it has handling various pests. You can also look at its website or peruse customer reviews to figure out whether it has experience eliminating the type of pests you are struggling with. If you cannot find this information online, speaking with a company representative is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can verify a company's legitimacy using the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and social media or local review sites. You can also check with Illinois' licensing board to verify the status of a company's license.
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, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you determine if it fits into your budget. You can also check to see if it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how eco-friendly a provider's pest control management solutionsare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
Ask your pest control technician if they are going to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, ask about what precautionary measures they will take. Any pesticide that has been deemed above minimum risk needs to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should be able to provide information about all of the pesticides used, as well as how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many pest control companies are now exploring cleaner and greener 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 the source of the pest problem and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always in combination with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
