How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control expert, there are a number of things you can consider to make sure that you're choosing the right one for you. You may consider a pest control company's qualifications and methods of treatment as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, there is also 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?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, but licensing is regulated at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in North Dakota must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
There are additional optional certifications that can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable. One example is the GreenPro Service Certification. For this certification, a company must show that its methods are more eco-friendly and that its employees receive up-to-date training. Other certifications can be earned through trade organizations like QualityPro.
There are certain professional organizations that a pest control company can be a member of. While not required, membership in organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help demonstrate a company's reputability. After joining an organization like the NPMA, a company receives access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to discuss best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A pest control company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what type of pests it specializes in exterminating. Local reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with specific pests. If you can't find this information online, you can try calling 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). Additionally, you can confirm the status of a company's license via the North Dakota licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when hiring for pest control services. Cost can be influenced by factors like your location, the size of your house, and the type of pest being treated.
You can take into consideration whether a certain company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what sort of guarantees it provides. 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 it comes to picking a pest control provider, you want to choose one that will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You'll likely also prefer a provider that is eco-friendly.
Safety
Your pest control expert should use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides whenever possible. If they plan to use pesticides that don't fit into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions they will put in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. Pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk are required to be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies will begin with more eco-friendly treatment options before employing harsh pesticides, using a framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify problem pests 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, mechanical, and physical controls.
- Use chemical controls only when required, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Grand Forks
You might encounter some pests more frequently in Grand Forks. Certain ones to keep an eye out for include these:
- Bees: Your local pest expert can help eliminate bee infestations around your house (and some companies even have resources to safely relocate hives). You might be particularly eager to have bees' nests removed if someone in your household is allergic.
- Beetles: There are a wide variety of beetles across the country and in North Dakota. Many species are harmless, but some can eat and damage things like your carpeting and the wooden structure of your home.
- Snakes: Snakes often enter homes in search of food, and once inside they tend to prefer cool, damp, and dark spots like basements. While most species of snakes are harmless, you and your family should not take that risk.
- Mice: Some common signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Frequently, mice can be found in attics or in areas where food is kept.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your basement, attic, or other dark, damp places. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your house.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations can be very difficult to eliminate, so we recommend hiring an exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout North Dakota, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
