How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step is hiring the right pest control professional for the job. You may consider a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and service prices.
Below, we explore the details of each factor.
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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 supervisors in Colorado must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can earn the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer other certifications. While not required, these can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps verify a company's reputability. Membership in the NPMA gives companies access to education, resources, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
Professional Experience and Specialties
For the most part, a company displays information like its specialities and years of experience on its website. Local reviews can also inform you as to whether a company has experience dealing with a particular pest in your area. If you can't get the information you need online, you can contact a company representative directly to get the answers to your questions.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), explore local review sites and social media to learn what others in your area have to say, or verify its license standing via the Colorado licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Pest control costs can vary based on things like your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
When considering the cost of services, you should try to determine whether a company offers free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can inform you whether the company fits into your budget. Also take into account a company's guarantees: If the problem is not fixed, or returns, will the company provide additional treatment until the problem is satisfactorily resolved?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be influenced by how environmentally-friendly a provider's practices are, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
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Safety
Your pest technician should use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides any time they can. 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 your family, your pets, and you. All pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
You can ask if your technician will start with lower-toxicity, more natural options before using harsher chemicals.
Many companies have begun to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce personal or environmental risk when treating pest infestations. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical 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 Aurora
You might encounter some pests more frequently in Aurora. Some to keep an eye out for include these:
- Beetles: In Aurora and across the country, there are a diverse array of beetles that could cause problems. While many beetles are harmless, others can cause damage to your home by eating wood, carpeting, and more.
- Mosquitoes: You're at greater risk of a mosquito infestation if you live in a wetter area. They're also more common when the weather is warmer. Mosquitoes can be more than just annoying--they can cause itchy bites and even spread diseases.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your basement, attic, or other dark, damp places. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want a spider infestation in your house.
- Mice: Some telltale signs of mouse activity include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Mice tend to frequent attics or areas where food is stored.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs are often very hard to quash, so we recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Colorado, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
Aurora Pest Control FAQ
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Pests make their way into your house looking for one of three things: food, water, or shelter. Some pests will enter your home simply because they have the opportunity to do so, 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, whether it be standing water outside or puddles inside from things like leaky pipes.
One thing you can do to prevent pest infestations is seal off potential entrances into your home. These include things like cracks in your foundation or siding. Next, try to avoid leaving food out for pests. This includes keeping food in sealed containers as well as not leaving trash out. Finally, eliminate standing water in and around your home. Work to reduce places where water collects outside, and fix leaks inside.
In general, it's recommended that you get your home treated for pests approximately once a year, more frequently if there is an active infestation. Your pest professional will ultimately be the one best equipped to recommend a treatment schedule for you.
How soon you see pest control results will depend on the issue and treatment. If your pest control technician takes measures like removing a wasp nest, you will see results almost immediately. For most pest control, however, you may need to wait anywhere from one to two days to up to six weeks to see substantial results. Some pest issues might require your technician to make multiple trips to your home.
