How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control expert, there are several things you can consider to make sure you choose the right one for you. In addition to a company's qualifications and pest extermination methods, you might also look into how long it has been in business and what the reviews are like. Finally, you'll likely want to look at the cost of services.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency for pesticide application, licensing is taken care of at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and their supervisors) in Georgia need to be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
An optional certification that could be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. To obtain this certification, a pest control company needs to both show that its practices are more environmentally friendly and uphold certain training standards for its technicians. Companies can earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further back up their work.
Pest control companies can also belong to various professional organizations. Holding membership in organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps verify a company's reputability. When a pest control company joins the NPMA, it gains access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
Professional Experience and Specialties
In general, a company will list information like years of experience and specialities on its website. Local reviews can also tell you whether a company has experience dealing with a specific pest. If you're unable to locate the information you need online, you can speak with a company representative directly to get your questions answered.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can verify a company's legitimacy using local review sites or social media as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also check with Georgia's licensing board to see the status of a company's license.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors can all affect the cost of pest control.
You can look into whether a company provides free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), as well as what kind of guarantees it offers. Often, a company will provide a guarantee that if it does not resolve your pest problem, it will keep coming back until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When it comes to picking a pest control provider, you want to select one that will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You may also prefer a provider that is eco-friendly.
Safety
You can ask your pest control provider if they are going to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides—if not, ask what precautionary measures they plan to use. Any pesticide that poses greater than minimum risk needs to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control company should be able to provide information about all of the pesticides to be used, in addition to how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now trialing options for more eco-friendly pest control management solutions before moving to harsh pesticides.
One common way of making pest control safer and greener is 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.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always in combination with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Marietta
Certain pests are more common than others. In Marietta, common pests to be on the lookout for include the following:
- Wasps: Wasps are often hard to get rid of, especially when you're trying to avoid being stung. They can often be found in areas like sheds, garages, roof overhangs, and attics.
- Mice: Some telltale signs of mouse activity include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Mice tend to frequent attics or places where food is stored.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations can be very difficult to quash, so we recommend hiring an exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Georgia, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other moist, dark places. Even though most species of spider are harmless to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your home.
