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 take into consideration a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and service prices.
Below, we dive into detail on each factor.
-
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) sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in the state of New York should be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
-
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One certification that pest control companies can earn is the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer other certifications. These are not required, but can help show that a pest control company is reputable.
There are certain professional organizations that pest control companies can be members of. A pest control company can obtain membership in 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 education, resources, and a network of other professionals to compare best practices with.
Professional Experience and Specialties
How long a company has been in business can shed some light on its experience dealing with the pests that live in Huntington. Customer reviews or the company's own website can also enlighten you as to whether it has the skills and experience needed to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, speaking with a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
-
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read local review sites and social media to hear what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing via the New York licensing board.
-
Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the most important factors when looking for pest control services. Cost can be affected by factors like the size of your house, your location, and the type of pest being treated.
You can take into consideration whether a company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), and what kind of guarantees it provides. 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
It's important to consider safety when selecting a pest control provider, and you might prefer a provider who uses more natural, environmentally-friendly methods.
-
Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to explain the safety precautions of any pesticides that will be used in your home. They should be able to clarify whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions will be used to protect you, your family, and your pets. Pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
-
Treatment Methods
Many companies have begun using more natural treatment methods before (or instead of) harsh chemical pesticides. Some utilize a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
