How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. A company's qualifications and treatment methods are important to consider, as well as its years of experience and what other customers have said. Of course, you also want to think about cost.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
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 those that supervise them are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA does set minimum standards of competency, but all Indiana pesticide applicators must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
There are additional optional certifications that can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable. One example is the GreenPro Service Certification. To earn this certification, a company must prove that its methods are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Other certifications can be earned through trade organizations like QualityPro.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Companies can obtain membership in the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. NPMA membership provides companies with access to education, resources, and a network of other pest control companies. While not mandatory, membership in professional organizations helps demonstrate a company's reputability.
Professional Experience and Specialties
In general, a company will list information like its years of experience and specialities on its website. Online reviews can also tell you whether a company has experience dealing with a particular pest in your area. If you can't get the information you need online, you can contact a company representative directly to get your questions answered.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), check out local review sites and social media to learn what others in your area have to say, or verify its license standing via the Indiana licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when picking a company for pest control. Cost can be determined by factors like your location, the size of your house, and the type of pest being treated.
You can take into consideration whether a certain company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what sort of guarantees it provides. 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
When it comes to choosing a pest control provider, you want to choose a company that will help keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You'll likely also prefer an eco-friendly provider.
Safety
Your pest technician should use pesticides that are low toxicity or non-toxic whenever possible. If any pesticides used don't fit into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions will be used to protect your family, your pets, and you. All pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your pest control expert will start with more eco-friendly and lower-toxicity options before using harsher chemicals.
Many companies are now using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce personal or environmental risk when treating pest infestations. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
