How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The first step is selecting the best pest control company for the job. You might consider a pest control company's qualifications and methods of treatment as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, there is also the cost of services to consider.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, but licensure is taken care of at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in New Jersey need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
There are additional optional certifications that can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable. One example is the GreenPro Service Certification. For this certification, a company must prove that its methods are more eco-friendly and that its employees receive up-to-date training. Other certifications can be earned through trade organizations like QualityPro.
Pest control companies can also hold membership in various professional organizations. A pest control company can join state-level organizations as well as national organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to education, resources, and a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The amount of time that a company has been in business can shed some light on its experience dealing with pests in your area. Online reviews or the company's own website can also enlighten you about whether it has the skills and experience needed to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, reaching out to the company directly is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look for reviews and recommendations on social media or local review sites, view a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check its licensure status through the New Jersey licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors can all influence the cost of pest control.
You can learn whether a company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget) and what sort of guarantees it provides. Often, a company will 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 choice of pest control provider might be influenced by how eco-friendly a company's pest control management solutionsare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to discuss the safety of all pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to explain whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions they plan to use to protect your family, your pets, and you. Any pesticides that pose greater than a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your technician will start with more natural and lower-toxicity options before moving on to harsher chemicals.
Many companies are using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to treat pest infestations with minimal personal or environmental risk. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and mechanical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Galloway
You might run into some pests more frequently in Galloway. Certain ones to keep an eye out for include these:
- Ants: Ants are common in just about every part of New Jersey. Large carpenter ants can be an even bigger problem than normal soil ants, as they can cause structural damage to your house.
- Mosquitoes: In addition to being annoying, a mosquito infestation can lead to itchy bites and possibly even put you and your family at risk of diseases. Mosquitoes are most common in wetter climates and at warmer times of the year.
- Ticks: If your house is near a forest or area with dense vegetation, or near a body of water, you might be at greater risk of a tick infestation. Ticks can spread Lyme or other diseases to you or your pets.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your basement, attic, or other moist, dark places. Even though most species of spider are harmless to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your house.
- Mice: If your home has a mouse infestation, you may start noticing droppings or things like chewed wires. Frequently, mice are found in places where food is stored or in attics.
