How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When hiring a pest control expert, there are a number of things you can consider to be sure that you're choosing the right one for you. In addition to a company's qualifications and pest extermination methods, you may also consider how long it has been in business and what the reviews look like. Finally, you'll likely want to look at the cost of services.
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 are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, but all New York pesticide applicators need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can also obtain optional certifications such as the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is awarded once a company has proven that its treatment methods are more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also maintains certain other standards, such as up-to-date employee training. A company can also earn other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further support its methods and practices.
A pest control company can also belong to certain professional organizations. Being a member of organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps verify a company's reputability. Membership in the NPMA gives companies access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to discuss methods and practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can get some insight into a company's level of pest management experience by looking at how many years it has been in operation. Local reviews and the company's own website can also tell you whether a company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can always reach out to a representative directly to learn this information if it is not available online.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read social media and local review sites to find out what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing through the New York licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, 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 has. Often, a company will guarantee that if it does not solve your pest problem, it will keep coming back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, your children, your pets, and the environment may affect which provider and treatment methods you choose.
Safety
All pesticides used by your company (except those that are classified as minimum-risk) need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control technician should provide you with information on all the pesticides that they plan to use. They should inform you whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions will be in place.
Treatment Methods
It is now common for companies to begin with more eco-friendly treatment options before employing pesticides, using a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem 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 when absolutely necessary, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Kiryas Joel
Some pests are more common than others. In Kiryas Joel, common pests to be wary of include the following:
- Ants: Ants can be found in just about every part of New York. Large carpenter ants can be even more of a problem than normal soil ants, because they can cause structural damage to your house.
- Snakes: Snakes prefer damp, dark, and cool areas like basements and often come into a home looking for food. While most species of snakes are harmless, this is not a risk that you want your family or pets to take.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your basement, attic, or other damp, dark places. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want an infestation of them in your house.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very difficult to get rid of, so we strongly recommend hiring an exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout New York, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
