How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of factors you can take into consideration when selecting the right pest control solutionfor you. Important decision-making factors include the company's qualifications, its treatment methods, experience and reviews, and of course 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?
All pesticide applicators (and those that supervise them) need to be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in the state of Ohio should be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can earn the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are eco-friendly and that its employees receive up-to-date training. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer additional certifications. While not required, these can help show that a pest control company is reputable.
Pest control professionals can also hold membership in professional organizations. Being a member of organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps confirm that a company follows industry best practices. Membership in the NPMA gives companies access to education, resources, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss methods and practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The number of years that a pest control company has been in business can shed some light on its experience dealing with various pests. Customer reviews or the company's website itself can also help you figure out whether it has the experience necessary to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If you cannot find the answers to your questions online, speaking with a representative is a great way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources you can use to check a company's reputation include local review sites, social media, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also verify the status of a company's license via the Ohio licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors can all influence the cost of pest control.
You can look into whether a company provides free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), as well as what sort of guarantees it offers. 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 choice of pest control provider might be influenced by how environmentally friendly a company's pest control servicesare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
Your pest control technician should be able to explain the safety precautions of all pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to answer questions about whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic; if they are not, they should explain what safety precautions they will put in place to protect you, your family, and your pets. All pesticides that pose above a minimum risk should be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies have begun using more natural and eco-friendly treatment methods before (or instead of) harsh chemical pesticides. Some follow a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always in combination with other methods for effective long-term pest control management.
- Observe the results and continue with additional pest control as needed.
