How To Choose a Pest Control Company
It's important to choose the right pest control treatment planfor you. A company's qualifications and pest treatment methods are important to consider, as are its years of experience and 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?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them need to be certified at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, but all Massachusetts pesticide applicators need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to back up its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is granted when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more eco-friendly. Companies that receive this certification also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
Pest control companies can also become members of professional organizations. When a company joins an organization such as the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it receives access to resources, education, and a network of other pest professionals with whom to compare treatment methods. This can give you added peace of mind that a company is following industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at how long a pest control company has been in business can help determine how much experience it has dealing with various pests in Shrewsbury. You can also explore its website or look through customer reviews to decide whether it has the right kind of experience handling the type of pests you are dealing with. If you cannot find this information online, getting in touch with a company representative is a good way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can browse reviews and recommendations on social media or local review sites, view a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, or check its licensure status through the Massachusetts licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor 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.
A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also see if it offers a guarantee of satisfaction.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when selecting a pest control provider. You might also prefer one that employes eco-friendly practices.
Safety
You can ask your pest control expert if they will be using low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, ask what precautionary measures they plan to use. Any pesticide that has been deemed above minimum risk should be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should supply information about all pesticides used, in addition to how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your technician will start with eco-friendly and lower-toxicity methods before employing 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 problem pests and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and mechanical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when required, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Shrewsbury
Certain pests are more common than others. In Shrewsbury, common pests to be on the lookout for include the following:
- Ants: Whether smaller soil ants or larger carpenter ants, these pests can be found in most areas of Massachusetts. Carpenter ants can pose a more urgent issue than their smaller counterparts by causing damage to your house.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very hard to eliminate, so we recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Massachusetts, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other damp, dark places. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want a spider infestation in your house.
