How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are several things you can weigh when selecting the best pest control treatment methodfor you. You might consider a company's qualifications, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and price of services.
Below, we discuss each factor in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators (and those that supervise them) must be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in the state of Virginia must be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One optional certification that might be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. To obtain this certification, a pest control company needs to both demonstrate that its practices are more environmentally friendly and uphold certain technician training standards. Companies can also obtain other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further support their work.
Pest control companies can also become members of professional organizations. Companies can belong to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. Membership in the NPMA provides companies with access to resources, education, and a network of other pest control companies. While not required, membership in professional organizations helps back up a company's reputability.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a pest control company's website can tell you how long it has been in operation and what species of pests it specializes in exterminating. Online reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with a specific pest. If this information isn't available online, you can try contacting the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), check out local review sites and social media to learn what others in your area have to say, or verify its license standing via the Virginia licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the main deciding factors when hiring for pest control. Cost can be influenced by factors like your location, the size of your house, and the type of pest being treated.
You can look into whether a specific company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what kind of guarantees are provided. Often, a company will guarantee that if its treatment doesn't resolve your pest problem, it will continue to come back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important concern when choosing a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider that provides eco-friendly treatment plans.
Safety
Be sure to ask your pest control technician if they are going to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, ask about what precautionary measures will be in place. Any pesticide that presents above a minimum risk needs to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control company should supply information about all of the pesticides that will be used in your home, in addition to how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now trialing options for more eco-friendly pest control management solutions before relying on harsh pesticides.
One popular method for making pest control safer and more eco-friendly is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest 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.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
