How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step in the pest control process is hiring the right company for you. Factors 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?
All pesticide applicators, as well as those that supervise them, should be licensed via the appropriate Ohio regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, while providing, maintaining, and revoking licensure is handled at the state level.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain additional certifications such as the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is awarded once a company has shown that its treatment methods are more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also holds itself up to certain other standards, such as up-to-date training for employees. A pest control company can also earn other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further verify its practices and methods.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. When a company joins an organization such as the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gets access to education, resources, and a network of other pest control professionals with whom to compare treatment methods. This can offer extra peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at how long a company has been in business can help determine how much experience it has dealing with various pests in Westerville. You can also explore its website or peruse customer reviews to determine whether it has adequate experience with the species of pests you are dealing with. If you cannot find this information online, getting in touch with a company representative is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can be used to verify a company's legitimacy include local review sites, social media, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Additionally, you can check the status of a company's license through the Ohio licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
When considering the cost of services, you should confirm whether a company offers free on-site estimates as part of its services. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also consider a company's guarantees: If the problem is not resolved, or if it returns, does the company provide additional treatment until the issue is handled satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, any children or pets, and the environment may affect which provider and treatment methods you choose.
Safety
All pesticides used by your company (except those that are classified as minimum-risk) must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should be able to provide information on each pesticide they are using. They should inform you whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions will be in place.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are making the switch to using more natural and eco-friendly treatment methods before, or in place of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some utilize a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other solutions for effective long-term pest control management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Westerville
You might deal with some pests more frequently in Westerville. Certain ones to keep an eye out for include these:
- Bees: Your local pest control professional can help eliminate bee infestations around your house (some companies may have resources to safely relocate hives). You might be especially keen to have bees' nests removed if someone in your household has an allergy.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs can be found throughout Ohio, and they can lead to serious problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of, we recommend getting professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest furniture, bedsheets, wallpaper, and more.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer damp and dark places and are commonly found in basements or attics.
- Mice: If you have a mouse infestation, you might start noticing droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in places where food is stored or in attics.
