How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are several things you can take into consideration when choosing the best pest control treatment methodfor you. You might take into consideration a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and service prices.
Below, we discuss each factor in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, but licensing is regulated at the state level. All pesticide applicators and their supervisors in Rhode Island need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can obtain optional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro in order to verify its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is given when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more eco-friendly. These companies also need to maintain certain employee training standards.
Pest control companies can also join various professional organizations. A pest control company can join state-level organizations in addition to national organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at how long a pest control company has been in business can help determine how much experience it has dealing with various pests in East Providence. You can also browse its website or peruse 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 can't be found online, getting in touch with a company representative is a good way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read local review sites and social media to find out what others in your area have to say, or verify its license standing through the Rhode Island licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when picking a company for pest control. Cost can be affected by factors like the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and your location.
You can look into whether a certain company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what kind of guarantees it provides. Often, a company will guarantee that if your pest problem isn't fixed by its treatment, it will continue to treat until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how eco-friendly a provider's pest control management solutionsare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
You should ask your pest control expert if they plan to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, what sort of precautionary measures they are going to use. All pesticides that are not considered minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician will be able to supply you with information about all pesticides they are going to use.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your technician will begin with more natural and lower-toxicity methods before using harsher chemicals.
Many companies now use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to eliminate pests while reducing personal and environmental risks. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether 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.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in East Providence
Some specific pests are seen more commonly in East Providence, and these pests are the ones you should keep watch for. Some of these include the following:
- Moths: If your house has moths, you may notice holes in your linens or clothing. Moths do best in warmer weather and prefer dark places like closets.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other moist, dark areas. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want a spider infestation in your house.
- Mice: If there are mice in your home, you may start noticing droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in places where food is kept or in attics.
