How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of factors that you can take into consideration when choosing the best pest control companyfor you. Important decision-making factors can include a company's qualifications, its treatment methods, experience and reviews, and of course the cost of services.
Below, we explore the details of each of these factors.
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 handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators and their supervisors in Texas need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
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. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer additional certifications. While not required, these can help show that a company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also be members of various professional organizations. Membership in an organization like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or a state-level organization gives companies access to resources and education, and a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Membership in organizations like these is not mandatory, but it can help show that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Generally, a company will list information like its specialities and years of experience on its website. Local reviews can also help you determine if a company has experience dealing with a particular pest in your area. If you can't get the information you need online, you can speak with a company representative directly to get the answers to your questions.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources you can use to check a company's reputation include local review sites, social media, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also check the status of a company's license through the Texas licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the size of your house, your location, the type of pest being treated, and other factors can all influence the price of pest control.
You can find out whether a company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), as well as what kind of guarantees it offers. Often, a company will guarantee that if it does not take care of your pest problem, it will keep coming back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, your children, your pets, and the environment might influence the provider and the treatment methods you choose.
Safety
Your pest control expert 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 will be in place 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
Companies often start with more eco-friendly solutions before employing pesticides, using a framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify problem pests and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and mechanical controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
