How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When hiring a pest control company, you want to make sure that you find the best one for you. Factors you may consider include licensing and qualifications, treatment methods, 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?
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, licensing is taken care of at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and their supervisors) in Ohio must be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can obtain optional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro. These certifications can help you evaluate the quality of a company's products. For example, the GreenPro Service Certification recognizes comprehensive and effective pest control treatment that is safer for humans and the environment.
Pest control companies can also join various professional organizations. A pest control company can join both state-level organizations and national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). By being a member of these optional organizations, a company helps support its reputability and gains access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can look at a pest control company's years in business to help determine how much experience it has dealing with pests in your area. You can also look at its website or look through customer reviews to decide whether it has the right kind of experience handling the species of pests you are struggling with. If this information is not available online, speaking with a company representative is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read social media and local review sites to see what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing through the Ohio licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you decide if it fits into your budget. You can also check to see if it offers a guarantee of satisfaction.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important concern when choosing a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider that uses eco-friendly treatment methods.
Safety
All pesticides that will be used (except those that are classified as minimum-risk) are required to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control technician should be able to provide information on every pesticide they are using. They should inform you whether these chemicals are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions they plan to take.
Treatment Methods
Many pest control companies have started making the switch to using more natural and eco-friendly treatment methods before, or in place of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some use a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and assess whether 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.
- Use chemical controls only when required, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and implement additional pest control treatments as needed.
