How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of factors that you can consider when selecting the best pest control treatmentfor you. Some things you might consider include licensing and qualifications, pest intervention strategies, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators (and those who supervise them) are required to be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, but any pesticide applicators working in the state of Montana must be licensed via 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 indicates comprehensive and effective pest control methods that are safer for humans and the environment.
A pest control company can also be a member of various professional organizations. Membership in 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, in addition to a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Belonging to one of these organizations is not required, but it can help show that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a pest control company's website can tell you how long it has been in operation and what kind of pests it specializes in exterminating. Local reviews can also offer 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
Resources that can be used to verify a company's legitimacy include social media, local review sites, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Additionally, you can confirm the status of a company's license via the Montana licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors can all influence the price of pest control.
You can find out whether a company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget) and what type of guarantees it provides. Often, a company will provide a guarantee that if it does not resolve your pest problem, it will continue treatment until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Safety is an important consideration when selecting a pest control professional, and you might prefer a provider who uses more natural, eco-friendly pest control services.
Safety
Ask your pest control provider if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what precautionary measures they will have in place. Any pesticides that are not minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should be able to supply information about all chemicals they plan on using.
Treatment Methods
Pest control experts looking to reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides often follow practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Identify problem pests and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Billings
You might deal with some pests more frequently in Billings. Certain ones to keep an eye out for include these:
- Bees: Having bees around your home can be a nuisance, particularly if someone in your household has an allergy. Your local pest control company can help get rid of bees, and some may even have the resources to safely relocate hives.
- Beetles: There are a number of species of beetles around the U.S. and in Montana. Many species are harmless, but some can eat and damage things like carpeting and the wooden structure of your house.
- Wasps: Wasps are often difficult to get rid of, especially while trying to avoid their stingers. They are commonly found in places like garages, attics, sheds, and roof overhangs.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer dark and moist places and are commonly found in basements or attics.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very difficult to eliminate, so we recommend calling a professional as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Montana, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
