How To Choose a Pest Control Company
It's important to choose the right pest control company for you. You may consider a company's qualifications and treatment methods, in addition to its years of experience and customer reviews. And of course, there's the cost of services to consider.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
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Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators (and those who supervise them) need to be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in Massachusetts must be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies also have the option to obtain additional certifications like the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is granted once a company has proven that its treatment methods are more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also maintains certain other standards, such as up-to-date training for employees. A pest control company can also earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further verify its methods and practices.
Pest control companies can also hold membership in professional organizations. When a company becomes a member of an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it receives access to education, resources, and a network of other pest professionals with whom to compare methods. This can offer added peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what type of pests it specializes in exterminating. Local reviews can also give you some insight into a company's experience dealing with specific pests. If this information isn't available online, you can try reaching out to the company directly.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), check out social media and local review sites to find out what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing through the Massachusetts licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when picking a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you decide if it fits into your budget. You can also look at whether it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how environmentally-friendly a provider's practices are, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
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Safety
All pesticides (except those that are determined to be of minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should supply information on every pesticide they plan to use. They should be able to tell you whether these chemicals are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions they plan to take.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies will begin with more environmentally friendly options before employing harsh pesticides, following a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify problem pests and assess whether 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 if needed, and always with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Boston
Not all pests are equally common in Boston. Some species that you should keep an eye out for are these:
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches can be found in many parts of Massachusetts, though they prefer wetter areas. This can make them an even bigger problem in Boston. Cockroaches might get into your house through small cracks, and sometimes bring in diseases like salmonella.
- Ticks: If your home is near a forest or an area with dense vegetation, or near a body of water, you might be at higher risk of tick infestations. Ticks can spread Lyme or other diseases to you or your pets.
- Mice: If you have mice, you may notice droppings or things like chewed wires. If your home has mice, they may be found in places where food is stored, or in attics.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other damp, dark places. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want an infestation of them in your home.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations can be very difficult to eliminate, so we recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Massachusetts, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
Boston Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations occur when pests enter your house looking for something, generally food, water, or shelter. Pests may come looking for food or trash that is left out. Some might also be drawn to standing water outside (from rain collecting in one area) or inside (from leaky pipes). Pests may also come into your home simply looking for shelter and get in through weak spots like foundation cracks or broken screens.
There are certain steps you can take to help prevent pest infestations. First, avoid leaving food out. Make sure food is stored in sealed containers, and avoid leaving trash sitting around.
Next, avoid having standing water in or around your home. Fix leaks indoors and eliminate places where standing water collects outside. Lastly, seal off any possible pest entrances into your home, including siding or foundation cracks.
Any time you see signs of pest activity in your Boston home--things like droppings, nests, signs of damage, or the pests themselves--you should call your local pest professional. If your home has had seasonal or recurrent infestations, we suggest getting in touch with a local pest control company to request annual pest management services.
Whether you need to clean your home following pest control services will change depending on what treatments are used. Make sure that you ask your pest control technician while they are at your home. In many cases, you will be able to dust, vacuum, and wipe down certain surfaces, although you should avoid wiping away chemical barriers or touching any traps unless you have been explicitly told to do so. There may be a lingering smell after the application of some pesticides.
After pest control, it is important to maintain a clean home to avoid encouraging pests to return.
