How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The first step is hiring the right pest control company for the job. You may consider a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost of services.
Below, we discuss each factor in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, but licensing is handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators and their supervisors in New Jersey need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One certification that pest control companies can earn is the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires that a company show that its practices are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer other certifications. These are not required, but can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Pest control companies can obtain membership in both state-level organizations and national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at a pest control company's website can tell you how long it has been in operation and what kind of pests it specializes in eliminating. Local reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with specific pests. If this information isn't available online, you can try reaching out to 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). You can also confirm the status of a company's license through the New Jersey licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is important when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be affected by the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
Companies will often offer free on-site estimates before starting work, to help you decide whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether if your company has a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how environmentally friendly a provider's pest control management solutionsare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
Ask your pest control provider if they plan to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, ask what precautionary measures will be in place. Any pesticide that has been deemed above minimum risk needs to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should be able to supply information about all of the pesticides to be used, and how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now trialing options for more environmentally friendly methods of pest control before relying on harsh pesticides.
One popular method for making pest control safer and more eco-friendly is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Manchester
Certain pests are seen more commonly in Manchester, and these pests are the ones you should keep an eye out for. Some of these include the following:
- Ants: Whether they are larger carpenter ants or smaller soils ants, these pests can be found in most of New Jersey. Carpenter ants can cause more problems than their smaller counterparts because they can do damage to your home.
- Ticks: A tick infestation can be dangerous if they bring Lyme or other diseases into your home. You may be at increased risk of these infestations if your home is near a forest, a body of water, or an area of dense vegetation.
- Flies: Flies can be a nuisance in your Manchester home year-round, but they tend to be more common when the weather is warmer. Flies might be found around sinks or in areas where food is kept.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer damp and dark places and are commonly found in basements or attics.
- Mice: If your home has a mouse infestation, you may notice droppings or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in attics or in places where food is kept.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs are found throughout New Jersey and can cause big problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are often tricky to get rid of, we recommend getting professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest wallpaper, bedsheets, furniture, and more.
