How To Choose a Pest Control Company
It's important to choose the best pest control treatmentfor you. Important decision-making factors can include a 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?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA sets minimum competency standards, and the Iowa regulatory agencies take care of the issuing, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
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 eco-friendly and that its employee training is up to date. QualityPro and similar trade organizations also offer other certifications. These are not required, but can help demonstrate that a company is reputable.
There are several professional organizations that pest control companies can be members of. Pest control companies can join both state-level organizations and national organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The number of years that a pest control company has been in business can shed some light on its experience dealing with pests in your area. Online reviews or the company's own website can also enlighten you about whether it has the experience necessary to deal with your particular pests. If you can't find the information you need online, reaching out to the company directly is an excellent way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can verify a company's legitimacy using social media or local review sites as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also check with Iowa's licensing board to verify the status of a company's license.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
It's important to think about cost when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be affected by your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
Many companies offer free on-site estimates before starting work, to help you determine whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether if your company has a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that it will continue to treat your pest problem until it is solved.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how eco-friendly a company's pest control management solutionsare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
You should ask your pest control technician if they plan to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, what kind of precautionary measures they plan to take. All pesticides that are not considered minimum-risk chemicals must be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should be able to supply information about all pesticides they plan on using.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are using options for more eco-friendly pest control techniques before moving to harsh pesticides.
One popular method for making pest control safer and greener is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Waterloo
Some pests are more common than others. In Waterloo, common pests to be on the lookout for include the following:
- Flies: You may notice flies around sinks or in areas where food is kept. Flies might get into your house in Waterloo throughout the year, but they're particularly common when the weather gets warmer.
- Ants: Whether they are smaller soil ants or larger carpenter ants, these pests are found in most of Iowa. Carpenter ants can pose a bigger problem than their smaller counterparts because they can do damage to your home.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations can be very difficult to quash, so we strongly recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Iowa, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer damp and dark places and are commonly found in basements or attics.
