How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of factors that you can weigh when selecting the right pest control company for you. You might consider a company's qualifications and treatment methods, as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. And of course, there's the cost of services to consider.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
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Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them must be licensed at the state level. The EPA sets minimum competency standards, and the California regulatory agencies handle the granting, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for additional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro in order to support 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 various professional organizations that a pest control company can be a member of. Companies can be members of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. Membership in the NPMA provides companies with access to education, resources, and a network of other pest control companies. While not mandatory, membership in professional organizations helps back up a company's reputability.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The amount of time that a company has been in business can tell you something about its experience dealing with the pests that live in Stockton. Online reviews or the company's own website can also inform you whether it has the experience necessary to deal with your particular pests. If you cannot find the answers to your questions online, calling a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look for reviews and recommendations on social media or local review sites, look up a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check the status of its license through the California licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also see if it offers a guarantee of satisfaction.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When choosing a pest control provider, you want to choose a company that will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You'll likely also prefer an environmentally-conscious provider.
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Safety
You should ask your pest control provider if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what precautionary measures they will have in place. Any pesticides that are not minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician will be able to supply you with information about all pesticides they plan to use.
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Treatment Methods
Nowadays, many companies are exploring cleaner and greener pest management that can be implemented before (or in place of) chemical pesticides. Many are following the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and mechanical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Stockton
Not all pests are equally pervasive in Stockton. Some species that you should keep an eye out for include the following:
- Fleas: Fleas tend to prefer warmer weather (which can make them a real nuisance in Stockton) and often get into your house by hiding in the fur of pets.
- Ants: Whether they are smaller soil ants or larger carpenter ants, these bugs can be found in most parts of California. Carpenter ants can pose a more urgent issue than their smaller counterparts because they can do damage to your home.
- Flies: Flies can be a year-round nuisance in your Stockton home, but they may be especially common during the warmer months. Flies might be found around sinks or in places where you keep food.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very hard to quash, so we recommend calling a professional as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout California, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your attic or other damp, dark places. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want an infestation of them in your home.
Stockton Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations happen when pests enter your house looking for something, generally food, water, or shelter. Pests may be looking to eat food or trash that is left out. Some could also be drawn by standing water collecting outside (from rain collecting in a particular area) or inside (from leaky pipes). They may also enter your house looking for shelter. They can get in through places such as foundation cracks or broken screens.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent pest infestations. First, avoid leaving food out. Make sure food is stored in sealed containers, and avoid leaving trash sitting around.
Next, avoid having standing water in or around your home. Repair leaks inside and eliminate places where standing water collects outside. Lastly, seal off potential pest entrances into your home, including siding or foundation cracks.
Generally it's recommended that you hire a pest control technician about once a year. If there is an active infestation, you will need to hire a pest control professional more often. Ultimately, your pest professional is the person who is best-equipped to recommend a treatment schedule for you.
Be sure to ask your pest professional if they want you to clean around your home. This can help ensure they can find, identify, and treat all pests present. However, some providers may want to see your home as-is.
If you are asked to clean, clear paper goods and trash out of affected areas, as these are common places for pests to hide. Also be sure that food is stored away so that it does not get contaminated by pesticides. Also remove any plants in the area to avoid chemical contamination. Lastly, if needed, block off areas that you expect will be treated so that pets and children do not enter until it is safe. If you're undergoing a more intensive process like fumigation, make sure you closely follow your pest professional's instructions.
It's common to feel like you're seeing more pests in the days or weeks following pest control. The process tends to flush pests out of their hiding spaces, making them more visible; you may also find more dead pests around your house. If this uptick in pests sightings doesn't begin to decrease after a week or two, reach out to your Stockton pest professional, as another treatment may be required.
