How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control company, you want to make sure that you find the right one for you. A company's qualifications and pest treatment methods are important to consider, as are its years of experience and reputation in customer reviews. Of course, you also want to consider cost.
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 standards of competency for pesticide applicators, licensure is taken care of at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and their supervisors) in Kansas need to be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro. These certifications can help you evaluate the quality of a company's products. For example, the GreenPro Service Certification is given to companies that use comprehensive and effective pest control methods that are safer for people and the environment.
Pest control companies can also join certain professional organizations. While not mandatory, membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help demonstrate a company's reputability. In the NPMA and other organizations, pest control companies have access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The amount of time that a pest control company has been in business can tell you something about its experience dealing with the pests that live in Shawnee. Customer reviews or the company's website itself can also enlighten you about whether it has the experience necessary to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, calling a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), check out local review sites and social media to see what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing via the Kansas licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the main deciding factors when picking a company for pest control services. Cost can be determined by factors like the size of your house, your location, and the type of pest being treated.
You can take into consideration whether a specific company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what sort of guarantees are provided. 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
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important concern when picking a pest control provider. You might also prefer one that uses eco-friendly pest management treatment methods.
Safety
Your pest technician should be using low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides when possible. If any pesticides used don't fall into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions they plan to use to protect your family, your pets, and you. Any pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk should be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Companies often start with more eco-friendly solutions before using pesticides, following a framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control as needed.
