How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the right company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Important factors include a company's qualifications, its treatment methods, experience and reviews, and of course the cost of services.
Below, we explore the details of 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 that supervise them) are required 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 the state of New York should be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
An optional certification that may be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. In order to obtain this certification, a pest control company needs to both show that its practices are more environmentally friendly and uphold certain technician training standards. Companies can also earn other certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to further support their work.
A pest control company can also hold membership in professional organizations. Companies can belong to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. NPMA membership gives companies access to resources, education, and a network of other pest control companies. While not mandatory, membership in professional organizations helps back up a company's reputability.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can gain some insight into a company's level of pest management experience by finding out how long it has been in operation. Local reviews and the company's own website can also inform you whether a company has the experience needed to deal 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 look up a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), explore reviews on social media or local review sites, or check the standing of its license via the New York licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when hiring for pest control. Cost can be determined by factors like your location, the type of pest being treated, and the size of your house.
You can look into whether a particular company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), and what kind of guarantees are provided. Often, a company will guarantee that if your pest problem isn't fixed by its treatment, it will continue to treat until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control company might be influenced by how environmentally-friendly a company's practices are, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
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Safety
All pesticides used by your company (except those that are determined to be of minimal risk) should be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should provide information on each pesticide they will be using. They should inform you whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions will be in place.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies have started making the switch to using more natural treatment methods before, or instead of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some follow a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Brookhaven
In Brookhaven, certain pests are more common than others. This list of pests includes the following:
- Mosquitoes: Mosquito infestations are more common if your home is in a wetter area (like Brookhaven). They're also more common during the warmer months. Mosquitoes are more than just annoying--they can cause itchy bites and even spread diseases.
- Beetles: Across the country and in Brookhaven, there are a number of species of beetles that could create problems. While many beetles are harmless, others can do damage by eating wood, carpeting, and more.
- Mice: Common signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your house. Mice tend to frequent attics or places where food is kept.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your basement, attic, or other dark, damp areas. Even though most species of spider are harmless to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your house.
Brookhaven Pest Control FAQ
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Pests make their way into your house looking for one of three things: food, water, or shelter. Some pests will enter your home simply because they have the opportunity to do so, through a broken screen or foundation crack. Some are attracted to food, either actual food sitting out or trash left out in the open. Others are searching for water, whether it be standing water on your property or puddles inside from things like leaky pipes.
There are several 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.
Second, avoid having standing water in or around your home. Fix leaks inside and eliminate standing water sites outside. Lastly, seal off any potential pest entrances into your home, including foundation and siding cracks.
When you notice signs of pest activity in your Brookhaven home--such as droppings, nests, signs of damage, or the pests themselves--you should call an exterminator. If your home has had seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we recommend contacting a local pest control company to set up annual pest management services.
If pests get into your home, you may find yourself spending a large amount of time and money ridding yourself of them, as well as potentially recovering from illness or damages they cause. Preventive pest control can help stop things like this from happening in the first place.
