How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step is picking the right pest control professional for the job. You may consider a pest control company's qualifications and methods of treatment in addition to its customer reviews and years of experience. And of course, there's 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?
Per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA maintains minimum standards of competency, and the New York regulatory agencies handle the granting, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can obtain optional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro in order to verify its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is granted to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. Companies that receive this certification also need to maintain certain employee training standards.
A pest control company can also belong to certain professional organizations. While not mandatory, membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help show a company's reputability. In the NPMA and other organizations, pest control companies have access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A company's years in business can indicate how much experience it has dealing with pests in your area. You can also explore its website or peruse customer reviews to figure out whether it has experience eliminating the type of pests you are struggling with. If this information can't be found online, speaking with a company representative is a good way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can browse reviews and recommendations on local review sites or social media, view a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check the status of its license 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 affect 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 type of guarantees it has. Often, a company will provide a guarantee that if it does not eliminate your pest problem, it will keep coming back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When choosing a pest control provider, you want to choose one that will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You'll likely also prefer an eco-friendly provider.
Safety
You want to ensure that you understand the precautions around pesticides being used in your house, for the sake of you, your family, and your pets. Your pest control expert should provide information about all pesticides they plan on using, whether they are low toxicity or non-toxic, and (if not) what safety measures will be used. All pesticides (except minimum-risk ones) must be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now trialing options for more eco-friendly solutions before employing harsh pesticides.
One common 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 determine if immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and mechanical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Palm Tree
You might encounter some pests more frequently in Palm Tree. Some pests to keep an eye out for include these:
- Bees: Bees around your home can be a nuisance, especially if someone in your household is allergic. Your local pest control company can help get rid of bees; some may even be able to help safely relocate hives.
- Snakes: Snakes prefer cool, damp, and dark areas like basements and will often enter a home looking for food. Most species of snakes are harmless, but this is not a risk that you and your family want to take.
- Ants: Whether they are smaller soil ants or larger carpenter ants, these pests can be found in most areas of New York. Carpenter ants can pose a bigger problem than their smaller counterparts by causing damage to your home.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs may be found throughout New York, and they can cause major problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are often difficult to get rid of, we recommend getting professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest wallpaper, furniture, bedsheets, and more.
- Spiders: These pests prefer moist, dark places and are often found in basements or attics.
- Mice: If there are mice in your home, you may start noticing droppings or things like chewed wires. Frequently, mice are found in attics or in places where food is stored.
