How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control professional, there are several factors that you can consider to be sure that you're choosing the right one for you. You might consider a pest control company's qualifications and treatment methods in addition to its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, there is also the cost of services to consider.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum competency standards for pesticide application, licensing is handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and those who supervise them) in Illinois need to be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
An optional certification that may be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. In order to receive this certification, a pest control company must both demonstrate that its practices are more eco-friendly and maintain certain technician training standards. Companies can obtain other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further support their work.
There are various professional organizations in which pest control companies can hold membership. A pest control company can obtain membership in state-level organizations as well as 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 other professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can look at a pest control company's years in business to help determine how much experience it has dealing with various pests. You can also browse its website or read customer reviews to decide whether it has the right kind of experience handling the species 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
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 via the Illinois licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors can all influence the price of pest control.
You can look into whether a company provides free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget) and what type of guarantees it provides. Often, a company will guarantee that if it does not take care of your pest problem, it will continue treatment until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
It's important to consider safety when selecting a pest control professional. You might also prefer a provider who uses more natural, environmentally friendly pest control solutions.
Safety
Ask your pest control provider if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what precautionary measures they plan to take. All pesticides that are not considered minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should be able to provide information about all chemicals that they plan to use.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your pest technician will start with lower-toxicity, more natural treatment methods before employing harsher chemicals.
Many companies are now using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to eliminate pests while reducing personal and environmental risks. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and mechanical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control as needed.
