How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Factors you might consider include licensing and qualifications, pest intervention strategies, 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?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be licensed at the state level. The EPA maintains minimum standards of competency, and the New Jersey regulatory agencies take care of the issuing, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to back up its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. These companies also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not required, but helps verify a company's reputability. The NPMA gives companies access to resources, education, and a network of pest professionals with whom to discuss methods and practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
For the most part, a company will list information like years of experience and specialities on its website. Local reviews can also help you determine if a company has experience dealing with a specific pest. If you're unable to find the information you need online, you can speak with a company representative directly to get your questions answered.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can check a company's reputation using social media or local review sites as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also check with New Jersey's licensing board to verify the status of a company's license.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when picking a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you figure out if it fits into your budget. You can also check to see if it offers a guarantee of satisfaction.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, any children or pets, and the environment can influence the provider and the treatment methods you choose.
Safety
Ask your pest control provider if they are going to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides—if not, ask what precautionary measures they will take. Any pesticide that poses greater than minimum risk should be registered with the EPA. Your pest control company should provide information about all pesticides to be used, in addition to how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Pest control professionals looking to reduce their use of chemical pesticides often implement procedures such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Identify problem pests and determine if 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.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Toms River
In Toms River, certain pests are more common than others. This list of pests includes the following:
- Ants: Whether smaller soil ants or larger carpenter ants, these pests can be found in most parts of New Jersey. Carpenter ants can pose a more urgent issue than their smaller counterparts because they can do damage to your house.
- Ticks: Tick infestations can be dangerous because they might bring Lyme or other diseases into your home. You may be at increased risk of a tick infestation if your home is near a body of water, a forest, or an area of dense vegetation.
- Mice: If you have a mouse infestation, you may start noticing droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in places where food is kept or in attics.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs may be found throughout New Jersey and can cause major problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are often difficult to get rid of, we recommend hiring a professional exterminator as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest furniture, bedsheets, wallpaper, and more.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other moist, dark areas. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want an infestation of them in your home.
