How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are several factors you can take into consideration when choosing the right pest control professionalfor you. You might consider a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and price of services.
Below, we dive into detail on each factor.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators (and those who supervise them) must be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in the state of Minnesota must be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Obtaining additional optional certifications can help show that a pest control company is reputable. One of these is the GreenPro Service Certification. To earn this certification, a company must prove that its methods are more environmentally friendly and that its employees receive up-to-date training. Other certifications can be obtained through trade organizations like QualityPro.
Pest control companies can also become members of professional organizations. Holding membership in organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not required, but helps show that a company is reputable. When a pest control company joins the NPMA, it gains access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a pest control company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what type of pests it specializes in exterminating. Local reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with a certain type of pest. If you can't find this information online, you can try calling the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read social media and local review sites to hear what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing via the Minnesota licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors can all influence the cost of pest control.
You can look into whether a company provides free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget) and what type of guarantees it has. Often, a company will provide a guarantee that if it does not take care of your pest problem, it will keep coming back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, your children, your pets, and the environment may influence which provider and treatment methods you choose.
Safety
Ask your pest control expert if they are going to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, ask what precautionary measures they plan to use. Any pesticide that presents above a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should be able to supply information about all of the pesticides used, as well as how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your technician will start with lower-toxicity, more natural options before using harsher chemicals.
Many companies now use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to eliminate pests while reducing personal and environmental risks. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the 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 in combination with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
