How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of things that you can take into consideration when selecting the right pest control company for you. The qualifications of and treatment methods used by a company are important to consider, as well as its years of experience and what other customers have said. Of course, you also want to think about 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) sets the minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, licensure is handled at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and their supervisors) in California should be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
-
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can receive optional certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations in order to back up its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is granted when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. These companies also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
There are certain professional organizations that a pest control company can belong to. A pest control company can join state-level organizations as well as national organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The amount of time that a company has been in business can give you some insight into its experience dealing with various pests. Customer reviews or the company's website itself can also help you figure out whether it has the experience necessary to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If you can't find the information you need online, speaking with a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
-
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can be used to verify a company's legitimacy include social media, local review sites, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also confirm the status of a company's license through the California 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 the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and your location.
You can take into consideration whether a certain company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits your budget), and what sort 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
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when choosing a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider that employs environmentally-friendly practices.
-
Safety
Your pest control provider should use pesticides that are low toxicity or non-toxic when possible. If any pesticides used don't fall into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions will be in place to protect you, your family, and your pets. Any pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk are required to be registered with the EPA.
-
Treatment Methods
Many companies have started making the switch to using more natural treatment methods before, or in place of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some follow a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine if 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.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Riverside
Not all pests are equally common in Riverside. Some species that you should be wary of include the following:
- Flies: You might find flies around sinks or in areas where food is kept. Flies can get into your Riverside home year-round, but they're particularly common during warmer months.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs can be found throughout California, and they can cause big problems if left untreated. Because bed bug infestations are often tricky to get rid of, we recommend having professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest furniture, wallpaper, bedsheets, and more.
- Mice: If your home has a mouse infestation, you may notice droppings or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in places where food is kept, or in attics.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your attic or other damp, dark places. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want an infestation of them in your house.
Riverside Pest Control FAQ
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
Pests enter your house looking for one of three things: food, water, or shelter. Some pests will opportunistically enter your home via a broken screen or foundation crack. Some are drawn by food, either actual food sitting out or trash left out in the open. Others are searching for water, whether it be standing water on your property or puddles inside from things like leaky pipes.
One way to prevent pest infestations is seal off possible entrances into your home. These include things like cracks in your siding or foundation. Second, avoid leaving food out for pests. This includes keeping food in sealed containers as well as not leaving trash out. Lastly, get rid of standing water in and around your home. Find ways to reduce places where water can collect outside, and fix leaks inside.
When you notice signs of pest activity in your Riverside home--such as nests, droppings, signs of damage, or the pests themselves--you should contact your local pest professional. If you've had seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we suggest reaching out to a local pest control company to request annual pest management services.
Preventive pest control is important to help stop pest problems before they begin. Your local pest control technician will be familiar with the pests in your part of Riverside, including how they make their way into your home and at what times of the year they are most active.Your technician can make changes and implement barriers to keep pests out of your home, saving you time and money that you might otherwise spend on future pest control visits--and on the damage and illness caused by pests.
We recommend checking in with your pest control technician while they are in your home, as the answer can vary depending on what treatments are done. After application of pesticides, you might notice a lingering smell that should dissipate over time.
In many cases, dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down certain surfaces will be appropriate after pest control. However, you'll want to avoid wiping away chemical barriers, and avoid touching any traps unless explicitly told to do so. After the pests are taken care of, continue keeping your home clean. Avoid letting trash pile up, take care of spills and leaks promptly, and so on. This will help keep pests from coming back.
