How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When choosing a pest control company, you want to find the right one for you. You may consider 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?
All pesticide applicators, as well as those that supervise them, should be licensed via the appropriate Illinois regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, while issuing, maintaining, and revoking licensure is handled at the state level.
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 more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer other certifications. These are not required, but can help demonstrate that a company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Joining an organization like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or a state-level organization gives companies access to resources and education, plus a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Belonging to organizations like these is not required, but it can help show that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A pest control company's website can tell you how many years it has been in operation and what kind of pests it specializes in exterminating. Local reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with a certain type of pest. If this information isn't available online, you can try contacting the company directly.
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 find out what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing through the Illinois licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors.
When considering the cost of services, you should confirm whether a company includes free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also take into account a company's guarantees: If the problem is not resolved, or returns, does the company provide additional treatments until the problem is handled satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
It's important to consider safety when deciding on a pest control expert. You might also prefer a provider who uses more natural, environmentally friendly treatment methods.
Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to explain the safety precautions of any pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to answer questions about whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions will be used to protect you, your family, and your pets. Any pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies have begun using more natural and greener 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:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control methods as needed.
Common Household Pests in Niles
Not all pests are equally prevalent around Niles. Some species that you should be on the lookout for include the following:
- Moths: If there is a moth infestation in your home, you may notice holes in your clothing or linens. Moths do best in warmer weather and prefer dark places like closets.
- Spiders: These pests prefer dark and moist places and are often found in basements or attics.
- Mice: If you have a mouse infestation, you might notice droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in attics or in places where food is stored.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs are found throughout Illinois and can cause major problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are difficult to get rid of, we recommend getting professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest furniture, bedsheets, wallpaper, and more.
