How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When hiring a pest control company, you want to make sure that you find the best one to meet your needs. 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?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum competency standards for pesticide applicators, but licensing is handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in Utah must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations in order to verify its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is given to any company that 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. While not mandatory, membership in organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help to prove a company's reputability. In the NPMA and other organizations, pest control companies have access to education, resources, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can get some insight into a pest company's level of pest management experience by looking into how long it has been in operation. The company's website and local reviews can also inform you whether a certain company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests invading your home. You can always contact the company directly to learn this information if you can't find it online.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can check a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, explore reviews on local review sites or social media, or check the standing of its license via the Utah licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors can all affect the cost of pest control.
You can learn whether a company provides free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), as well as what type of guarantees it has. Often, a company will guarantee that if it does not resolve your pest problem, it will continue treatment until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When it comes to picking a pest control provider, you want to select one that will help keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You'll likely also prefer an environmentally-conscious provider.
Safety
Your pest control expert should be able to discuss the safety of any and all pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to explain whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions they plan to use to protect your family, your pets, and you. Pesticides that pose above a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
It is now common for companies to begin with more environmentally friendly treatment methods before using harsh pesticides, using a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always in combination with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Millcreek
Not all pests are equally prevalent around Millcreek. Some species that you should be on the lookout for include the following:
- Termites: If you don't promptly deal with a termite infestation, they could cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. Termites often enter your home via nearby piles of firewood, mulch, or rotting wood.
- Ants: Whether larger carpenter ants or smaller soils ants, these pests are found in most parts of Utah. Carpenter ants can cause more problems than their smaller counterparts by causing damage to your house.
- Snakes: Snakes often enter homes looking for food, and once inside they tend to prefer damp, cool, and dark areas like basements. Although most species of snakes are harmless, most people don't want their family, their pets, or themselves to take that risk.
- Mice: If you have a mouse infestation, you may notice droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in places where food is stored or in attics.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs are found throughout Utah and can lead to big problems if left untreated. Because bed bug infestations can be tricky to get rid of, we recommend having professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest furniture, bedsheets, wallpaper, and more.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer dark and damp places and are often found in basements or attics.
