How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step is hiring the right pest control professional for the job. Some things you might 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?
All pesticide applicators, as well as those that supervise them, need to be licensed via the appropriate Pennsylvania regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but issuing, maintaining, and revoking licensing is handled at the state level.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can earn the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. QualityPro and similar trade organizations also offer additional certifications. These are not required, but can help show that a company is reputable.
Pest control experts 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 gives companies access to education and resources, as well as a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Belonging to one of these organizations is not required, but it can help show that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A company's years in business can indicate how much experience it has dealing with various pests. You can also look at its website or look through customer reviews to decide whether it has the right kind of experience handling the type of pests you are looking to get rid of. If this information is not available online, contacting a representative directly is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, look for reviews on social media or local review sites, or check the standing of its license via the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the main deciding factors when looking for pest control. Cost can be determined by factors like your location, the type of pest being treated, and the size of your house.
You can take into consideration whether a specific company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what kind of guarantees are provided. Often, a company will guarantee that if its treatment doesn't resolve your pest problem, it will continue to come back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When it comes to choosing a pest control provider, you want to select one that will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You'll likely also prefer an environmentally-conscious provider.
Safety
Ask your pest control provider if they are going to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, ask what precautionary measures they will take. Any pesticide that has been deemed above minimum risk should be registered with the EPA. Your pest control company should be able to provide information about all of the pesticides used, in addition to how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Pest control experts looking to reduce their reliance on 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 needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always in combination with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
