How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Choosing the best pest control company for you is important. You might take into consideration a company's qualifications and treatment methods, as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, there is also 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?
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the minimum standards of competency for pesticide application, licensure is taken care of at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and their supervisors) in Nebraska should be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
There are additional optional certifications that can help demonstrate that a pest control company is reputable. One of these is the GreenPro Service Certification. To obtain this certification, a company must prove that its methods are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Additional certifications can be obtained through trade organizations like QualityPro.
Pest control companies can also be members of various professional organizations. A pest control company can join both state-level organizations and national organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). By being a member of these optional organizations, a company helps support its reputability and gains access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can get some insight into a company's level of experience by looking into how long it has been in operation. Local reviews and the company's own website can also inform you whether a company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can always contact a representative directly to learn this information if it is not available online.
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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 Nebraska's licensing board to see the status of a company's license.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is important when hiring someone for pest control. Cost can be affected influenced by your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
Companies will often offer free on-site estimates at the beginning of their process, to help you decide whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether a company offers a satisfaction guarantees, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when selecting a pest control provider. You may also prefer a provider that employs environmentally-friendly practices.
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Safety
Make sure to ask your pest control technician if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what kind of precautionary measures they plan to take. Any pesticides that are not minimum-risk chemicals must be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician will be able to provide you with information about all pesticides they are going to use.
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Treatment Methods
Pest professionals looking to reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides often follow practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and assess whether immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Lincoln
Not all pests are equally prevalent around Lincoln. Some species that you should keep an eye out for are these:
- Termites: Termites can often enter your home from nearby piles of rotting wood, firewood, or mulch. If left untreated, they can do a significant amount of damage and necessitate hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Mice: If you have mice, you might start noticing droppings or things like chewed wires. If your home has mice, they may be found in attics or in places where food is stored.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations are often very hard to quash, so we recommend calling a professional as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Nebraska, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other dark, damp areas. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want an infestation of them in your house.
Lincoln Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations occur when pests come into your house looking for something, normally food, water, or shelter. Pests may be looking to eat food or trash that is left out. Some may also be drawn by standing water collecting outside (from rain collecting in a particular spot) or inside (from leaky pipes). They may also enter your house looking for shelter and get in through places such as broken screens or foundation cracks.
There are several things you can do to help prevent pest infestations. First, don't leave food out. Keep your food stored in sealed containers, and don't leave trash sitting around.
Second, avoid having standing water in or around your home. Fix leaks indoors and eliminate standing water sites outdoors. Finally, seal off any potential pest entrances into your home, including foundation and siding cracks.
Any time you notice signs of pest activity in your Lincoln home--such as nests, droppings, signs of damage, or the pests themselves--you should call an exterminator. If your home has had seasonal or recurrent infestations, we recommend contacting a local pest control company to set up annual pest management services.
How long pest control takes to work depends on the problem and treatment. For example, if your technician removes a wasp nest, you should see the results immediately. In other cases, it could take anywhere from a few days to up to six weeks for significant results from pest control to become apparent. Some pest issues might require your technician to make multiple trips to your home.
