How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Some things you might consider include qualifications and licensing, 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?
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency for pesticide application, licensing is handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and their supervisors) in Texas need to be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can also obtain optional certifications like the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is given once a company has shown that its treatment methods are 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 QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further support its practices and methods.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Companies can be members of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. Membership in the NPMA gives companies access to resources, education, and a network of other pest control companies. While not mandatory, membership in professional organizations helps demonstrate a company's reputability.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at a pest control company's website can tell you how long it has been in business and what type of pests it specializes in eliminating. Online reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with specific pests. If you can't find this information online, you can try reaching out to the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can be used to verify a company's legitimacy include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), local review sites, and social media. Additionally, you can check the status of a company's license through the Texas licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control 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 includes free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can inform you whether the company fits into your budget. Also consider what guarantees a company offers: If the problem is not resolved, or returns, does the company promise to offer additional treatments until the issue is satisfactorily resolved?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how eco-friendly a company's pest control servicesare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
It's important to understand the precautions for the pesticides being used in your house, for the sake of your family, your pets, and yourself. Your pest control expert should provide information about any pesticides they will be using, whether they are low toxicity or non-toxic, and (if not) what safety measures they have in place. All pesticides (except minimum-risk ones) must be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
It is now common for companies to start with more environmentally friendly options before employing pesticides, following a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify problem pests and determine 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 in combination with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Victoria
In Victoria, some species of pests are more common than others. This list of pests includes the following:
- Ants: Whether larger carpenter ants or smaller soils ants, these bugs are found in most areas of Texas. Carpenter ants can cause more problems than their smaller counterparts because they can do damage to your home.
- Mice: Some telltale signs of mouse activity include chewed wires and droppings around your house. Mice tend to frequent attics or areas where you keep food.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer damp and dark places and are commonly found in attics.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very hard to get rid of, so we recommend calling a professional as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Texas, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
