How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are several factors that you can consider when selecting the best pest control company for you. You may consider a company's qualifications and treatment methods, as well as its years of experience and customer reviews. Of course, there is also the cost of services to consider.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
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Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, but licensure is regulated at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in Ohio need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to support its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is given when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. Companies that receive this certification also need to maintain certain employee training standards.
Pest control companies can also belong to professional organizations. Being a member of organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps confirm that a company follows industry best practices. The NPMA gives companies access to education, resources, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can get some insight into a company's experience level by looking at how many years it has been in business. Local reviews and the company's own website can also let you know whether a certain company has the experience needed to deal with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can always contact the company directly to learn this information if you can't find it online.
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Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can be used to verify a company's legitimacy include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), social media, and local review sites. Additionally, you can verify the status of a company's license through the Ohio licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Pest control costs can vary based on things like the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors.
When considering the cost of services, you should verify whether a company provides free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also take into account what guarantees a company offers: If the problem is not resolved, or returns, does the company provide additional treatment until the problem is handled satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
When choosing a pest control provider, you want to choose a company that will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You'll likely also prefer an environmentally-conscious provider.
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Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to explain the safety precautions of the pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to answer questions as to whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions they will put in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. Pesticides that pose above a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
It is now common for companies to begin with more environmentally friendly options before employing harsh pesticides, following a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine 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.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Toledo
Some specific pests are more prevalent in Toledo, and these are the ones to keep an eye out for. Some of these include the following:
- Bees: Your local pest expert can help eliminate bee infestations around your home (some companies may have resources to safely relocate hives). You may be particularly keen to have bees' nests removed if there is someone in your household who is allergic.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer damp and dark places and are commonly found in basements or attics.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs are often very hard to get rid of, so we strongly recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Ohio, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
Toledo Pest Control FAQ
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Pests enter 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 foundation crack or broken screen. Some are attracted to food, either actual food left out or trash sitting out in the open. Others look for water, either 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.
Next, try not to have standing water in or around your house. Repair leaks indoors and eliminate standing water sites outside. Lastly, seal off any potential pest entrances into your house, including siding or foundation cracks.
You should consider hiring an exterminator any time you notice signs of pest activity in your Toledo home. You might see nests, droppings, pest damage, or even the pests themselves. If your home has seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we recommend yearly preventive pest management.
Preventive pest control is important for stopping pest problems before they start. Your local pest control technician will be familiar with the pests in your part of Toledo, including how they get into homes and the times of the year during which they are most active.Your technician can recommend changes and put barriers in place to keep pests out of your house, helping you save time and money that you might otherwise spend on future pest control visits--and on the damage and illness caused by pests.
