How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of things you can consider when selecting the right pest control expertfor you. Things you might consider include licensing and qualifications, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
Below, we explore the details of each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
Per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them must be licensed at the state level. The EPA maintains minimum competency standards, and the New Jersey regulatory agencies handle the issuing, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro. These are not required, but can help you evaluate the quality of a company's products. For example, the GreenPro Service Certification is given to companies that use comprehensive and effective pest control methods that are safer for people and the environment.
There are several professional organizations that a pest control company can be a member of. Holding membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps verify a company's reputability. When a pest control company joins the NPMA, it gains access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss methods and practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can gain some insight into a pest company's experience level by seeing how many years it has been in business. The company's website and local reviews can also inform you whether a company has the experience needed to deal with the specific species of pests invading your home. You can call the company directly to learn this information if you can't find it online.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can read reviews and recommendations on local review sites or social media, verify a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check the status of its license through the New Jersey licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the main deciding factors when hiring for pest control. Cost can be affected by factors like your location, the size of your house, and the type of pest being treated.
You can think about whether a specific company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), and what kind of guarantees are provided. Often, a company will guarantee that if your pest problem isn't fixed by its treatment, it will continue to treat until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When choosing a pest control provider, you want to choose a company that will help keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You may also prefer a provider that is eco-friendly.
Safety
Ask your pest control provider 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 needs to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should be able to provide information about all of the pesticides that will be used in your home, and how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many companies will begin with more environmentally friendly treatment methods before employing harsh pesticides, following a framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify problem pests and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always in combination with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
