How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The first step is selecting the best pest control company for the job. Factors you may consider include licensing and qualifications, pest intervention strategies, 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?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them must be licensed at the state level. The EPA maintains minimum standards of competency, and the Pennsylvania regulatory agencies handle the granting, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
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 its methods to be more eco-friendly and demonstrated that it also maintains certain other standards, such as up-to-date employee training. A pest control company can also earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further verify its methods and practices.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. A pest control company can join both state-level organizations and national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to education, resources, and a network of professionals to compare best practices with.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Typically, a company displays information like its specialities and years of experience on its website. Online reviews can also tell you whether a company has experience dealing with a specific pest. If you're unable to find the information you need online, you can contact a company representative directly to get the answers to your questions.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can help you verify a company's reputation include local review sites, social media, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Additionally, you can confirm the status of a company's license through the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also look at whether it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, any children or pets, and the environment can affect which provider and treatment methods you choose.
Safety
It's important to understand the precautions for the pesticides being used around your home, for the sake of your family, your pets, and yourself. Your pest control expert should be able to supply information about the pesticides they plan to use, whether they are low toxicity or non-toxic, and (if not) what safety measures they plan to take. All pesticides (except minimum-risk ones) must be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies have begun using more natural and greener treatment methods before (or instead of) harsh chemical pesticides. Some utilize a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other techniques for effective long-term pest control management.
- Evaluate outcomes and implement additional pest control methods as needed.
Common Household Pests in State College
Some pests are more prevalent in State College, and these are the ones you should keep watch for. Some of these include the following:
- Fleas: Fleas normally prefer warmer weather and often are brought into the home by pets.
- Wasps: Wasps can be very hard to rid yourself of, especially while trying to avoid their stingers. They can often be found in spots like roof overhangs, garages, sheds, and attics.
- Ticks: If you live near forests or areas with dense vegetation, or near a body of water, you might be at higher risk of tick infestations. Ticks can spread Lyme or other diseases to you or your pets.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other dark, damp places. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want an infestation of them in your home.
- Mice: If your home has a mouse infestation, you might notice droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. Frequently, mice are found in attics or in places where food is stored.
