How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When hiring a pest control company, you want to make sure that you find the best one for you. You might take into consideration a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and price of services.
Below, we dive into detail on each factor.
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Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
Per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA maintains minimum competency standards, and the Illinois 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 certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to verify its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is given when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. Companies that receive this certification also need to maintain certain employee training standards.
There are several professional organizations that a pest control company can be a member of. While not mandatory, membership in organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations help show a company's reputability. In the NPMA and other organizations, pest control companies have access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals with whom to share best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can get some insight into a company's level of pest management experience by seeing how long it has been in business. The company's website and local reviews can also tell you whether a certain company has the experience needed to deal with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can call the company directly to learn this information if you can't find it online.
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Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can be used to verify a company's legitimacy include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), local review sites, and social media. Additionally, you can check the status of a company's license via the Illinois 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 services. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also consider a company's guarantees: If the problem is not resolved, or returns, does the company promise to offer additional treatments until the issue is satisfactorily handled?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how environmentally-friendly a provider's practices are, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
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Safety
Ask your pest control technician if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what sort of precautionary measures they will have in place. Any pesticides that are not minimum-risk chemicals must be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician will be able to provide information about all of the pesticides they are going to use.
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Treatment Methods
Nowadays, many companies are exploring greener and cleaner pest management that can be implemented before (or in place of) chemical pesticides. Many follow the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Chicago
You might run into some pests more often in Chicago. Certain ones to keep an eye out for include these:
- Moths: If there is a moth infestation in your home, you may start finding holes in your linens or clothing. Moths thrive in warmer weather and prefer dark places like closets.
- Bees: Having bees around your house can be a nuisance, especially if someone in your household has an allergy. Your local pest control company can help get rid of bees, and some might even have the resources to safely relocate hives.
- Mice: If your home has a mouse infestation, you might notice droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. If your home has mice, they may be found in places where food is stored, or in attics.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer dark and damp places and are often found in basements or attics.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very difficult to get rid of, so we strongly recommend hiring an exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Illinois, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
Chicago Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations occur when pests enter your house looking for something, typically food, water, or shelter. Pests may come looking for food or trash that is sitting out. Some may also be drawn to standing water outside (from rain collecting in a particular area) or inside (from leaky pipes). Pests may also enter your home looking for shelter and get in through weak spots like broken screens or foundation cracks.
There are several steps you can take to help prevent pest infestations. First, avoid leaving food out. Keep your food stored in sealed containers, and avoid leaving trash sitting around.
Second, avoid having standing water in or around your home. Repair leaks inside and eliminate standing water sites outside. Finally, seal off any potential pest entrances into your home, including foundation and siding cracks.
In general, it's recommended that you get your home treated for pests about once annually, more frequently if there is an active infestation. Your pest control professional will ultimately be the one best equipped to recommend a treatment schedule for you.
In general, pesticide application lasts around 30 to 90 days. The exact length of time depends on what chemicals are used, which pests are being targeted, how many pests are in your area, and whether the chemicals are applied inside or outside. Rain can wash away chemicals applied outdoors, giving them a shorter lifespan than those applied indoors.
