How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When choosing a pest control company, there are a number of things you can consider to make sure that you're choosing the best one for you. You might consider a pest control company's qualifications and methods of treatment in addition to its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, there is also the cost of services to consider.
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 must be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One optional certification that may be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. In order to earn this certification, a pest control company needs to both demonstrate that its practices are more environmentally friendly and maintain certain training standards for its technicians. Companies can obtain other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further support their work.
Pest control companies can also belong to various professional organizations. When a company obtains membership in an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it receives access to resources, education, and a network of other pest control experts with whom to compare treatment methods. This can offer extra peace of mind that a company is following industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can get some insight into a company's level of pest management experience by seeing how long it has been in business. Local reviews and the company's own website can also let you know whether a company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests invading your home. You can contact the company directly to learn this information if it is not available online.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can read reviews and recommendations on local review sites or social media, verify a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check its licensure status through the Ohio licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
It's important to think about cost when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be influenced by your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
Often, companies will offer free on-site estimates before starting work, to help you determine whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether a company offers a satisfaction guarantees, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control company might be influenced by how eco-friendly a company's practicesare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
Your pest control technician should be able to discuss the safety of the pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to explain whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions they will put in place to protect you, your family, and your pets. Any pesticides that pose greater than a minimum risk should be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Organizations looking to reduce their use of chemical pesticides often follow practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always in combination with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Upper Arlington
Not all pests are equally prevalent around Upper Arlington. Some species that you should be wary of are these:
- Fleas: Typically, fleas prefer warmer weather and are frequently brought inside by pets.
- Bees: Your local pest expert can help get rid of bees around your home (some even are able to safely relocate hives). You might be particularly eager to have bees' nests removed if there is someone in your household who is allergic.
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches can be found in many parts of Ohio, though they prefer wetter areas. Cockroaches might get into your house through small cracks, and they can spread diseases like salmonella.
- Mice: Common signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your house. Mice are commonly found in attics or in areas where food is kept.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other moist, dark places. Even though most species of spider are harmless to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your home.
