How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step is picking the best pest control company for the job. Things you may consider include qualifications and licensing, pest intervention strategies, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
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) maintains minimum competency standards for pesticide applicators, but licensure is handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in Ohio must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
An optional certification that may be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. To get this certification, a pest control company needs to both show that its practices are more eco-friendly and maintain certain technician training standards. Companies can also earn other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further back up their work.
A pest control company can also belong to professional organizations. Becoming a member of an organization such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or a state-level organization grants a pest control company access to education and resources, in addition to a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Belonging to organizations like these is not required, but it can help indicate that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The amount of time that a pest control company has been in business can give you some insight into its experience dealing with pests in your area. Customer reviews or the company's own website can also help you figure out whether it has the experience necessary to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, speaking with a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can help you verify a company's reputation include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), local review sites, and social media. Additionally, you can confirm the status of a company's license through the Ohio licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when picking a company for pest control services. Cost can be determined by factors like your location, the type of pest being treated, and the size of your house.
You can consider 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
Safety is an important consideration when choosing a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider who employs more natural, eco-friendly pest control management.
Safety
You can ask your pest control provider if they plan on using low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides—if not, ask about what precautionary measures they plan to use. Any pesticide that presents above a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control company should provide information about all of the pesticides to be used, in addition to how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Companies often begin with more eco-friendly solutions before employing pesticides, using a framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine if immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Springfield
You might encounter some pests more often in Springfield. Certain ones to keep an eye out for include these:
- Cockroaches: It's important to deal with a cockroach infestation promptly, as they can bring in diseases such as salmonella. Cockroaches can be found throughout Ohio, and they prefer wetter areas.
- Mice: If you have mice, you might start noticing droppings or things like chewed wires. If your home has mice, they may be found in places where food is kept or in attics.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer dark and damp places and are commonly found in basements or attics.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations can be very hard to get rid of, so we strongly recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Ohio, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
