How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are several factors that you can take into consideration when selecting the right pest control professionalfor you. You may consider a pest control company's qualifications and treatment methods as well as its customer reviews and years of experience. And of course, there's 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?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA does set minimum standards of competency, but all Ohio pesticide applicators should be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro. These are not required, but 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 people and the environment.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps verify a company's reputability. When a pest control company joins the NPMA, it gains access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
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 common pests in Youngstown. You can also look at its website or peruse customer reviews to decide whether it has the right kind of experience handling the species of pests you are looking to get rid of. If this information can't be found online, getting in touch with a company representative is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources you can use to check a company's reputation include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), social media, and local review sites. You can also check the status of a company's license via the Ohio licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
When thinking about the cost of services, you should first look into whether a company provides free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can inform you whether the company fits into your budget. Also look into a company's guarantees: If the problem is not resolved, or if it returns, will the company provide additional treatments until the issue is satisfactorily handled?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how eco-friendly a company's pest control management solutionsare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
You want to ensure that you understand the precautions around pesticides used around your house, for the sake of you, your family, and your pets. Your pest control expert should provide information about all pesticides they will be using, whether they are low toxicity or non-toxic, and (if not) what safety measures will be used. All pesticides (except minimum-risk ones) should be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies will begin with more eco-friendly treatment methods before employing harsh pesticides, following a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control as needed.
