How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Choosing the best pest control treatment for you is important. You might take into consideration a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and price of services.
Below, we explore the details of each factor.
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 their supervisors need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA sets minimum competency standards, and the Colorado regulatory agencies take care of the granting, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One certification that pest control companies can earn is the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are 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 show that a pest control company is reputable.
Pest control professionals can also hold membership in professional organizations. While not mandatory, membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help show a company's reputability. Organizations like the NPMA provide access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can get some insight into a pest company's level of experience by looking into how many years it has been in business. The company's website and local reviews can also tell you whether the company has the experience needed to deal with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can contact a representative directly to learn this information if it is not available online.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read social media and local review sites to see what others in your area have to say, or verify its license standing via the Colorado licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the main deciding factors when looking for pest control services. Cost can be determined by factors like the size of your house, your location, and the type of pest being treated.
You can take into consideration whether a particular company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), and what kind of guarantees are provided. 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
It's important to consider safety when selecting a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider who employs more natural, environmentally friendly treatment plans.
Safety
You should ask your pest control expert 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 chemicals they are going to use.
Treatment Methods
It is now common for companies to start with more eco-friendly treatment options before employing pesticides, following a framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always along with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and implement additional pest control as needed.
