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Find the best pest control companies in your area
There are several household pests that may cause problems for Tampa homeowners. When the weather is warmer, you may be concerned about pests like centipedes and cockroaches.
Our guide to the top pest control experts near you can help you tackle any pest problem.
User Reviews: 4.1/5
Experts Ready to Help
User Reviews: 4.9/5
Experts Ready to Help
User Reviews: 4.6/5
Experts Ready to Help
The This Old House Reviews Team evaluated dozens of pest control companies in the Tampa area. When selecting the best pest control companies, we looked at the following criteria:
User Reviews: 4.6/5
509 Lakeview Rd
Clearwater, FL 33756
User Reviews: 4.8/5
2274 FL-580 suite B
Clearwater, FL 33763
User Reviews: 4.9/5
6753 55th St N
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
User Reviews: 4.7/5
12501 62nd St N
Largo, FL 33773
User Reviews: 4.9/5
13596 66th St N
Largo, FL 33771
User Reviews: 4.6/5
1466 US-19 ALT
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
User Reviews: 4.9/5
2422 Destiny Way
Odessa, FL 33556
User Reviews: 4.9/5
6127 FL-54
New Port Richey, FL 34653
User Reviews: 4.9/5
6812-1 Industrial Ave
Port Richey, FL 34668
The most important step in the pest control process is hiring the right company for you. In addition to a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you might also consider how long it has been in business and what the reviews look like. Last but not least, you'll likely want to consider the cost of services.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum competency standards for pesticide applicators, but licensure is overseen at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in Florida must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Pest control companies can also obtain optional certifications like the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is granted once a company has shown its methods to be more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also maintains certain other standards, such as up-to-date employee training. A company can also earn other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further back up its practices and methods.
Pest control companies can also be members of certain professional organizations. Being a member of organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps show that a company is reputable. Membership in the NPMA gives companies access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
A company's years in business can indicate how much experience it has taking care of various pests. You can also explore its website or read customer reviews to decide whether it has the right kind of experience handling the type of pests you are dealing with. If you cannot find this information online, getting in touch with a company representative is a good way to learn more.
You can check a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), browse reviews on social media or local review sites, or check the standing of its license via the Florida licensing board.
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when hiring for pest control services. Cost can be influenced by factors like the type of pest being treated, your location, and the size of your house.
You can think about whether a specific company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), and what sort 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.
Your choice of pest control company might be influenced by how environmentally-friendly a company's practices are, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Your pest technician 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 they plan to use to protect you, your family, and your pets. All pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
Many companies have started making the switch to using more natural treatment methods before, or in place of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some utilize a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
Some pests are more common than others. In Tampa, common pests to be wary of include the following:
Pest infestations occur when pests enter your house looking for something, typically food, water, or shelter. Pests might come looking for food or trash that is left out. Some may also be drawn to standing water outside (from rain collecting in one area) or inside (from leaky pipes). They might also enter your home looking for shelter. They can get in through weak spots like broken screens or foundation cracks.
One way to prevent pest infestations is seal off possible entrances into your home. These include things like cracks in your foundation or siding. Also try to avoid leaving out food for pests. This means keeping food in sealed containers as well as not leaving trash out. Lastly, reduce standing water in and around your home. Work to reduce places where water collects outside, and fix leaks inside.
You should consider hiring a pest control professional any time you see signs of pest activity in your Tampa home. This could include droppings, nests, damage caused by pests, or even the pests themselves. If your home has seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we recommend yearly preventive pest management.
How soon you notice results from pest control will depend on the problem and treatment. If your pest technician takes measures like removing a wasp nest, you can see the results almost immediately. For most pest control, however, you will likely need to wait anywhere from one to two days to up to six weeks to see substantial results. Some pests may require your technician to make multiple visits to your house.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.