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 expertfor you. A company's qualifications and pest treatment methods are important to consider, as well as its years of experience and what other customers have said. Of course, you will also want to think about cost.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the minimum competency standards for pesticide application, licensure is taken care of at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and those who supervise them) in Utah need to be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
An optional certification that may be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. To receive this certification, a pest control company needs to both demonstrate that its practices are more eco-friendly and maintain certain technician training standards. Companies can obtain other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further back up their work.
There are certain professional organizations in which pest control companies can hold membership. When a company joins an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gains access to resources, education, and a network of other pest control professionals with whom to compare treatment methods. This can give you added peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The number of years that a company has been in business can tell you something about its experience dealing with pests in your area. Customer reviews or the company's website itself can also help you figure out whether it has the skills and experience necessary to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If you can't find the information you need online, contacting the company directly is an excellent way to learn about its areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, look for reviews on social media or local review sites, or check the standing of its license via the Utah licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Pest control costs can vary based on things like your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
When considering the cost of services, you should verify whether a company offers free on-site estimates as part of its services. This can inform you whether the company fits into your budget. Also look into a company's guarantees: If the problem is not fixed, or if it returns, does the company promise to offer additional treatment 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 pest control servicesare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
All pesticides used by your company (except those that are determined to be of minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should be able to provide you with information on every pesticide they plan to use. They should be able to tell you whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions will be in place.
Treatment Methods
Pest control experts looking to reduce their use of chemical pesticides often follow practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Tooele
Some specific pests are more prevalent in Tooele, and these are the ones you should keep an eye out for. Some of these include the following:
- Termites: If you don't promptly deal with a termite infestation, the result could be hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. Often, termites get inside via nearby piles of rotting wood, firewood, or mulch.
- Wasps: Wasps can be very hard to get rid of, especially if you're trying to avoid being stung. They can often be found in areas like attics, roof overhangs, sheds, and garages.
- Bees: Your local pest expert can help get rid of bees around your home (and some companies even are able to safely relocate hives). You may be particularly eager to have bees' nests removed if someone in your household has an allergy.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer damp and dark places and are often found in basements or attics.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs may be found throughout Utah and can lead to major problems if left untreated. Because bed bug infestations can be hard to get rid of, we recommend getting professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest bedsheets, wallpaper, furniture, and more.
