How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control company, there are a number of factors you can consider to be sure that you're choosing the best one for you. You may consider a company's qualifications and treatment methods, as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. And of course, there's 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 (and those who 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 the state of Ohio must be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can obtain optional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to verify its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. Companies that receive this certification also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
Pest control companies can also become members of professional organizations. Companies can obtain membership in the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. Membership in the NPMA gives companies access to education, resources, 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 seeing how many years it has been in business. The company's website and local reviews can also tell you whether a company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can contact the company directly to learn this information if you can't find it online.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look for reviews and recommendations on local review sites or social media, look up a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, or check the status of its license through the Ohio licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when picking a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the size of your house, your location, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also see if it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Safety is an important consideration when deciding on a pest control provider, and you might prefer a provider who uses more natural, environmentally-friendly methods.
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Safety
All pesticides used by your company (except those that are determined to be of minimal risk) must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control technician should be able to supply information on all the pesticides that they are using. They should inform you whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions will be taken.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies have started offering options for more environmentally friendly methods of pest control before relying on 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 required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and mechanical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Cleveland
Some pests are seen more commonly in Cleveland, and these are the ones to keep watch for. Some of these include the following:
- Flies: Flies can be a nuisance in your Cleveland home year-round, but they are especially common during the warmer months. You might find flies around sinks or in places where you keep food.
- Beetles: There are a wide variety of beetles around the country and in Ohio. Many are harmless, but some may eat and do damage to things like carpeting and the wooden structure of your home.
- Moths: If you've been noticing holes in your clothing or linens, you might have moths in your house. Moths are often found in dark places like closets, and are more commonly found in warmer places.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very difficult to eliminate, so we recommend hiring an exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Ohio, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
- Mice: Some telltale signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Frequently, mice can be found in attics or in areas where food is stored.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer damp and dark places and are often found in basements or attics.
Cleveland Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations happen when pests come into your home looking for something, normally food, water, or shelter. Pests may seek out and eat food or trash that is left out. Some could also be drawn to standing water outside (from rain collecting in one area) or inside (from leaky pipes). Pests may also come into your home looking for shelter. They can get in through weak spots like foundation cracks or broken screens.
One thing you can do to prevent pest infestations is 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 as well as not leaving trash out. Lastly, get rid of standing water in and around your house. Try to reduce places where water can collect outside, and fix leaks inside.
Generally, it's recommended that you have your house treated for pests about once annually, more frequently if there is an active infestation. Your pest control professional will ultimately be the best person to recommend a treatment schedule for you.
If pests get into your home, you might find yourself spending a good deal of time and money ridding your house of them, as well as potentially recovering from illness or damages they cause. Preventive pest control can stop things like this from happening in the first place.
You could feel as though you're seeing more pests in your home in the days after pest control treatment. This is because living pests are being flushed from their hiding places deep in your home, or you may be seeing more dead pests around. If pest activity hasn't started to go down in a week or two following treatment, get in touch with your Cleveland pest control professional to see if another treatment is required.
