How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are several things you can take into consideration when selecting the right pest control company for you. You may take into consideration a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and service prices.
Below, we discuss each factor in more detail.
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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 Maryland regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, while providing, maintaining, and revoking licensing is handled at the state level.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for additional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro in order to support its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. A company that receives this certification also needs to maintain certain training standards for employees.
There are several professional organizations that a pest control company can belong to. Holding membership in organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not required, but helps show that a company is reputable. When a pest control company joins the NPMA, it gains access to resources, education, and a network of pest professionals with whom to discuss methods and practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a company's website can tell you how long it has been in operation and what kind of pests it specializes in eliminating. Local reviews can also offer some insight into a company's experience dealing with a specific pest. If you can't find this information online, you can try calling the company directly.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), explore social media and local review sites to see what other people are saying, or verify its license standing via the Maryland licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
When considering the cost of services, you should verify whether a company provides free on-site estimates as part of its services. 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 treatment until the problem is resolved satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important concern when picking a pest control provider. You may also prefer one that employs environmentally-friendly practices.
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Safety
Make sure to ask your pest control provider if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what kind of precautionary measures they are going to use. All pesticides that are not considered minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should be able to supply information about all of the pesticides that they plan to use.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies will start with more environmentally friendly options before employing pesticides, using a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Baltimore
Some pests are more common than others. In Baltimore, common pests to be watchful for include the following:
- Moths: If you're noticing holes in your linens or clothing, there's a chance that you have moths in your house. Moths are often found in dark places like closets, and they're more common in warmer places.
- Bees: Bees around your house can be a nuisance, especially if someone in your household is allergic. Your local pest control company can help eliminate bees, and some may even be able to help safely relocate hives.
- Flies: You may spot flies around sinks or in places where you keep food. Flies can get into your Baltimore home year-round, but they're especially common when the weather gets warmer.
- Mice: If you have a mouse infestation, you might start noticing droppings or things like chewed wires. You can often find mice in attics or in places where food is kept.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very difficult to eliminate, so we strongly recommend calling a professional as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Maryland, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your attic or other moist, dark places. Even though most species of spider are harmless to humans, you don't want an infestation of them in your home.
Baltimore Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations happen when pests come into your home looking for something, usually food, water, or shelter. Pests might seek out and eat 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 might also come into your house simply looking for shelter and get in through weak spots like broken screens or foundation cracks.
One method for preventing pest infestations is to seal off potential entrances into your home. These include things like cracks in your siding or foundation. Next, try to avoid leaving food out for pests. This means keeping food in sealed containers and not leaving trash out. Finally, reduce standing water in and around your home. Work to reduce places where water collects outside, and fix leaks inside.
You should consider hiring an exterminator any time you see signs of pest activity in your Baltimore home. You might see nests, droppings, pest damage, or even the pests themselves. If you get recurrent or seasonal pest infestations, we recommend yearly preventive pest management.
Before your pest control technician arrives, check and see if they want you to clean around your house, including in areas where there have been signs of pests. Some pest professionals may prefer to see your house as-is.
If you are asked to clean, focus on making sure all paper goods and trash are out of the affected areas (as pests can hide in these items), and that you store food securely so that it does not become contaminated with pesticides. You might also want to remove plants from the area. Also make sure to block off areas to be treated to keep children and pets out until it is safe. If your home needs more intensive pest control, such as fumigation, be sure to follow your pest professional's instructions closely.
We recommend asking your pest control technician this question while they are at your house, as the answer can vary depending on what treatments are done. After pesticides are applied, you may notice a lingering smell that will dissipate over time.
In most cases, dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down certain surfaces are all appropriate after pest control. However, make sure that you don't wipe away chemical barriers, and avoid touching any traps unless explicitly told to do so. After the pest control process, continue keeping your home clean. Don't let garbage pile up, take care of spills and leaks promptly, and so on. This helps keep pests from coming back.
