How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step is choosing the best pest control professional for the job. Along with a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you may also look into how long it has been in business and what the reviews are like. Last but not least, you'll likely want to consider the cost of services.
Below, we dive into detail on 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 those that supervise them need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, and the Kansas regulatory agencies handle the granting, 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 eco-friendly and that its employees receive up-to-date training. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer additional 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. Becoming a member of an organization such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or a state-level organization grants a pest control company access to education and resources, as well as a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Membership in one of these organizations is not mandatory, but it can help indicate that a company follows industry 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 the pests that live in Salina. Customer reviews or the company's website itself can also inform you whether it has the experience necessary to deal with your particular pests. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, reaching out to the company directly is an easy way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can check a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), look for reviews on local review sites or social media, or check the standing of its license via the Kansas licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is an important consideration when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you determine if it fits into your budget. You can also look at whether it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important concern when picking a pest control provider. You may also prefer a provider that uses eco-friendly treatment methods.
Safety
All pesticides used by your company (except those that are determined to be of minimal risk) need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control technician should be able to provide you with information on every pesticide they will be using. They should inform you whether these chemicals are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions they plan to take.
Treatment Methods
Many companies will start with more environmentally friendly treatment methods before using pesticides, using a framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
