How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control company, there are several factors you can consider to make sure that you're choosing the right one for you. You might consider a company's qualifications and treatment methods, as well as its customer reviews and years of experience. Of course, there is also the cost of services to consider.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
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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 licensure is regulated at the state level. All pesticide applicators and their supervisors in Arizona need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies also have the option to obtain additional certifications like the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is granted once a company has proven its methods to be more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also maintains certain other standards, such as up-to-date employee training. A pest control company can also earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further verify its methods and practices.
There are several professional organizations that a pest control company can be a member of. While not mandatory, membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help to prove a company's reputability. Organizations like the NPMA provide access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to share best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
How long a company has been in business can give you some insight into 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 needed to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If you cannot find the answers to your questions online, calling a representative is a great way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, read reviews on local review sites or social media, or check the standing of its license via the Arizona licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when picking a company for pest control services. Cost can be determined by factors like your location, the type of pest being treated, and the size of your house.
You can think about whether a specific company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what kind of guarantees it provides. Often, a company will guarantee that if your pest problem isn't fixed by its treatment, it will continue to treat until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be influenced by how environmentally-friendly a provider's practices are, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
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Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to explain the safety precautions of any and all pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to answer questions as to whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions will be in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. All pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk are required to be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies are now exploring greener and cleaner pest solutions that can be used before (or in place of) chemical pesticides. Many follow the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- 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 when required, and always with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Glendale
Not all pests are equally pervasive in Glendale. Some species that you should keep an eye out for are these:
- Termites: Termites frequently get into your house from nearby piles of firewood, rotting wood, or mulch. If left uncontrolled, they can cause a significant amount of damage and necessitate hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your attic or other dark, damp areas. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want an infestation of them in your house.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs are found throughout Arizona and can cause serious problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are often hard to get rid of, we recommend getting professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest wallpaper, bedsheets, furniture, and more.
- Mice: If you have a mouse infestation, you may start noticing droppings or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in places where food is stored, or in attics.
Glendale Pest Control FAQ
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Pests make their way into your home looking for one of three things: food, water, or shelter. Some pests will opportunistically enter your home through a broken screen or foundation crack. Some are drawn by food, either actual food left out or trash sitting out in the open. Others look for water, either standing water outside or puddles inside from leaky pipes.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent pest infestations. First, don't leave food out. Make sure food is stored in sealed containers, and don't leave trash sitting around.
Next, avoid having standing water in or around your house. Fix leaks indoors and eliminate places where standing water collects outside. Finally, seal off possible pest entrances into your house, including foundation and siding cracks.
You should consider hiring a pest control professional any time you identify signs of pest activity in your Glendale home. This could include nests, droppings, damage, or even the pests themselves. If you get seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we recommend annual preventive pest management.
Before a pest professional comes to your home, check and see if they want you to clean around your house, including in areas where you've seen pests. Some pest professionals may prefer to see your house as-is.
If you are asked to clean, make sure all trash and paper goods are out of the affected areas (as pests can hide in these items), and that you store food securely so that it does not become contaminated with pesticides. It's also a good idea to remove plants from the area. Additionally, block off areas to be treated to keep children and pets away until it is safe. If you need a more intensive type of pest control like fumigation, make sure you follow your pest professional's instructions closely.
