How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of factors that you can take into consideration when choosing the best pest control solutionfor you. The qualifications of and treatment methods used by a company are important to consider, as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, you will 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 are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators in Massachusetts should be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can receive optional certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations in order to back up its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. These companies also need to maintain certain employee training standards.
Pest control companies can also belong to professional organizations. 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 resources and education, as well as a professional network to compare best practices with. Joining one of these organizations is not mandatory, but it can help indicate that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A pest control company's website can tell you how long it has been in operation and what type of pests it specializes in eliminating. Online reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with specific pests. If you're unable to find this information online, you can try calling the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can read 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
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
When thinking about the cost of services, you should verify whether a company offers free on-site estimates as part of its services. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also consider a company's guarantees: If the problem is not fixed, or returns, will the company provide additional treatments until the issue is resolved satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
It's important to consider safety when selecting a pest control professional, and you might prefer a provider who uses more natural, eco-friendly pest control solutions.
Safety
Your pest control provider should be using low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides whenever possible. If any pesticides used don't fit into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions will be in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. Any pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies will start with more environmentally friendly solutions before employing pesticides, following 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 required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Taunton
Some specific pests are more common in Taunton, and these are the ones to keep watch for. Some of these include the following:
- Fleas: Fleas typically prefer warmer weather and often are brought into the home by pets.
- Ants: Ants are common in just about every part of Massachusetts. Large carpenter ants can be an even bigger problem than regular soil ants, because they can cause structural damage to your house.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations can be very difficult to eliminate, so we strongly recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Massachusetts, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
- Mice: Some telltale signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Frequently, mice can be found in attics or in areas where you keep food.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other moist, dark places. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your home.
