How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step in the pest control process is hiring the right company for you. You might consider a company's qualifications and treatment methods, in addition to its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, there is also the cost of services to consider.
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, as well as those that supervise them, should be licensed via the appropriate New York regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, while providing, maintaining, and revoking licensure 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 to back up its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is granted 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.
Pest control companies can also become members of certain 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
How long a company has been in business can give you some insight into its experience dealing with pests in your area. Customer reviews or the company's website itself can also enlighten you as to whether it has the experience necessary to handle your specific pest problem. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, reaching out to the company directly is an excellent way to learn more.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), browse reviews on local review sites or social media, or check the standing of its license via the New York licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
It's important to think about cost when hiring someone for pest control. Cost can be affected influenced by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
Many companies 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 provider offers a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that it will continue to treat your pest problem until it is solved.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, your children, your pets, and the environment may affect which provider and treatment methods you choose.
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Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to discuss the safety of any and all pesticides they plan to use. They should be able to explain whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic; if they are not, they should explain what safety precautions will be used to protect your family, your pets, and you. All pesticides that pose greater than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies are using options for more environmentally friendly methods of pest control before jumping into using harsh pesticides.
One popular method for making pest control safer and greener is 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 needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when required, and always along with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Hempstead
You might encounter some pests more often in Hempstead. Some pests to keep an eye out for include these:
- Cockroaches: You can find cockroaches throughout New York, although they prefer wetter areas. Cockroaches enter your home through small cracks, and they can sometimes spread diseases like salmonella.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer dark and damp places and are often found in basements or attics.
- Mice: If you have mice, you may start noticing droppings or things like chewed wires. If your home has mice, they may be found in places where food is kept, or in attics.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations are often very difficult to eliminate, so we recommend calling a professional as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout New York, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
Hempstead Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations occur when pests come into your house looking for something, usually food, water, or shelter. Pests may come looking for food or trash left sitting out. Some may also be drawn to standing water outside (from rain collecting in a particular area) or inside (from leaky pipes). They may also enter your home looking for shelter and get in through weak spots like foundation cracks or broken screens.
One method for preventing pest infestations is to seal off potential entrances into your house. These include things like cracks in your siding or foundation. Also try to avoid leaving food out for pests. This includes keeping food in sealed containers and not leaving trash out. Finally, reduce standing water in and around your house. Work to reduce places where water can collect outside, and fix leaks inside.
It is typically recommended that you hire a pest control technician about once annually. If you have an active infestation, you will need pest control to come out more often. Ultimately, your pest professional will be the person best-equipped to recommend a treatment schedule for you.
How soon you notice pest control results will depend on the problem and treatment. If your pest control technician does something like remove a wasp nest, you can see results almost immediately. However, for most pest control you may need to wait anywhere from one to two days to up to six weeks for substantial results. Some pests might require your pest professional to make multiple visits to your home.
Before your pest control technician arrives, check and see if they want you to clean around your house, including in areas where you've seen pests. Some pest professionals may prefer to see your house as-is.
If you are asked to clean, focus on making sure all trash and paper goods are out of the affected areas (as pests may hide in these items), and that you store food securely so that it does not become contaminated with pesticides. It's also a good idea to remove plants from the affected areas. Additionally, block off areas to be treated so that children and pets stay away until it is safe. If your home needs a more intensive type of pest control like fumigation, follow your pest professional's instructions closely.
