How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Choosing the best pest control expert for you is important. A company's qualifications and pest treatment methods are important to consider, as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, you also want to think about cost.
Below, we dive into detail on 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 sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators in Rhode Island must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies also have the option to obtain additional certifications such as the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is granted once a company has shown its methods to be more eco-friendly and demonstrated that it also holds itself up to 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 back up its methods and practices.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. When a company obtains membership in an organization such as the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gets access to resources, education, and a network of other pest control experts with whom to compare methods. This can offer additional peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can gain some insight into a pest control company's level of pest management experience by finding out how long it has been in operation. The company's website and local reviews can also tell you whether a certain company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can always call the company directly to learn this information if you can't find it online.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can verify a company's legitimacy using social media or local review sites as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also check with Rhode Island's licensing board to verify the status of a company's license.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also check to see if it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
It's important to consider safety when choosing a pest control expert. You might also prefer a provider who employs more natural, eco-friendly treatment plans.
Safety
Your pest technician should use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides any time they can. If any pesticides they intend to use don't fall into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions they plan to use to protect you, your family, and your pets. Pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Pest professionals looking to reduce their use of chemical pesticides often implement procedures such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine if immediate action is required.
- 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 when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Woonsocket
You might deal with some pests more frequently in Woonsocket. Some pests to keep an eye out for include these:
- Ticks: If you live near forests or areas of dense vegetation, or near a body of water, you might be at higher risk of tick infestations. Ticks can spread diseases like Lyme to you and your pets.
- Flies: Flies can be a nuisance in your Woonsocket home year-round, but they tend to be more common when the weather is warmer. You may spot flies around sinks or in places where food is kept.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer dark and moist places and are commonly found in basements or attics.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs are often very hard to eliminate, so we recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Rhode Island, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
