How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Things you may consider include qualifications and licensing, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
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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) must be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but any pesticide applicators working in North Carolina should be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One optional certification that may be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. In order to receive this certification, a pest control company needs to both demonstrate that its practices are more environmentally friendly and uphold certain technician training standards. Companies can also earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further back up their work.
Pest control companies can also obtain membership in professional organizations. When a company obtains membership in an organization such as the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gains access to education, resources, and a network of other pest experts with whom to compare treatment methods. This can give you extra peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what kind of pests it specializes in exterminating. Local reviews can also offer some insight into a company's experience dealing with a certain type of pest. If you're unable to find this information online, you can try reaching out to the company directly.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look for reviews and recommendations on social media or local review sites, look up a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, or check the status of its license through the North Carolina licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is important when picking a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also check to see if it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Safety is an important consideration when choosing a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider who employs more natural, environmentally-friendly methods.
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Safety
Your pest technician should use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides any time they can. If any pesticides they intend to use don't fit into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions will be in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. Pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
Nowadays, many companies are exploring greener and cleaner pest management that can be implemented before (or in place of) chemical pesticides. Many are following the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Raleigh
You might run into some pests more frequently in Raleigh. Some to keep an eye out for include these:
- Cockroaches: It's important to deal with a cockroach infestation promptly, as they can bring in diseases like salmonella. Cockroaches are found in many places throughout North Carolina, and they prefer wetter areas.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs may be found throughout North Carolina and can lead to major problems if left untreated. Because bed bug infestations are often difficult to get rid of, we recommend having professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. Bed bugs can infest furniture, wallpaper, bedsheets, and more.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your attic or other moist, dark places. Even though most species of spider are harmless to humans, you don't want an infestation of them in your home.
Raleigh Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations happen when pests enter your home looking for something, usually food, water, or shelter. Pests might be looking to eat food or trash left sitting out. Some could also be drawn by standing water collecting outside (from rain collecting in one spot) or inside (from leaky pipes). Pests might also come into your home simply looking for shelter. They can 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. This includes things like cracks in your foundation or siding. Also try to avoid leaving out food for pests. This includes keeping food in sealed containers and not leaving trash out. Lastly, get rid of standing water in and around your house. Work to reduce places where water collects outside, and fix leaks inside.
Any time you notice signs of pest activity in your Raleigh home--which could include nests, droppings, signs of damage, or the pests themselves--you should call your local pest professional. If you've had seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we recommend getting in touch with a local pest control company to set up annual pest management services.
It's common to feel like you're seeing more pests in the days or weeks following pest control treatment. The process tends to flush pests out of their hiding spaces, which makes them more visible; you may also start seeing more dead pests around your house. If the increase in pests sightings doesn't start to decrease after one to two weeks, contact your Raleigh pest professional, as another treatment may be required.
