How To Choose a Pest Control Company
It's important to choose the best pest control professionalfor you. Things you may consider include qualifications and licensing, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators (and those that supervise them) are required to be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in Tennessee should be licensed via the necessary 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 given once a company has proven that its treatment methods are more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also holds itself up to certain other standards, such as up-to-date training for employees. A pest control company can also earn other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further back up its practices and methods.
A pest control company can also belong to certain professional organizations. Pest control companies can obtain membership in both state-level organizations and 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
A company's years in business can indicate how much experience it has handling pests in Germantown. You can also look at its website or look through customer reviews to figure out whether it has experience eliminating the species of pests you are struggling with. If you cannot find this information online, getting in touch with a company representative is a good way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can check a company's reputation using the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and local review sites or social media. You can also check with Tennessee's licensing board to see the status of a company's license.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Pest control costs can vary based on things like the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
When thinking about the cost of services, you should verify whether a company offers free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also take into account what guarantees a company offers: If the problem is not resolved, or if it returns, does the company provide additional treatments until the problem is resolved satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control company might be affected by how eco-friendly a company's practicesare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
You should ask your pest control provider if they plan to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, what kind of precautionary measures they plan to take. All pesticides that are not considered minimum-risk chemicals must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider will be able to provide information about all chemicals they plan to use.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now exploring more eco-friendly pest control solutions that can be used before (or instead of) chemical pesticides. Many are following the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
