How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Along with a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you might also look into how long it has been in business and what the reviews look like. Finally, you'll likely want to consider the cost of services.
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?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA sets minimum competency standards, and the Texas regulatory agencies handle the granting, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
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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 more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. QualityPro and similar trade organizations also offer other certifications. These are not required, but can help show that a pest control company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also hold membership in professional organizations. When a company obtains membership in an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it receives access to education, resources, and a network of other pest control experts with whom to compare treatment methods. This can offer additional peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A company's website can tell you how long it has been in business and what species of pests it specializes in exterminating. Online reviews can also offer some insight into a company's experience dealing with specific pests. If you can't find this information online, you can try reaching out to the company directly.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can browse reviews and recommendations on social media or local review sites, look up a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check its licensure status through the Texas licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
When thinking about the cost of services, you should try to determine whether a company provides free on-site estimates as part of its services. This can inform you whether the company fits into your budget. Also look into a company's guarantees: If the problem is not resolved, or returns, does the company provide additional treatment until the problem is satisfactorily handled?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when picking a pest control provider. You might also prefer a provider that employs environmentally-friendly practices.
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Safety
Your pest control technician should be able to explain the safety precautions of any pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to clarify whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic; if they are not, they should explain what safety precautions will be in place to protect you, your family, and your pets. Any 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 employing harsh pesticides.
One popular method for making pest control safer and greener is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the 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 techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Lubbock
Some pests are more common than others. In Lubbock, common pests to be watchful for include the following:
- Cockroaches: You can find cockroaches in many parts of Texas, though they prefer wetter areas. Cockroaches get into your house through small cracks, and some can bring in diseases like salmonella.
- Termites: Termites frequently get into your home from nearby piles of firewood, mulch, or rotting wood. If left untreated, they can do a substantial amount of damage and cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Spiders: Spiders usually prefer dark and damp places and are commonly found in attics.
- Mice: If you have mice, you might start noticing droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. Frequently, mice are found in attics or in places where food is stored.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs can be found throughout Texas and can cause major problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are difficult to get rid of, we recommend having professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest furniture, wallpaper, bedsheets, and more.
Lubbock Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations happen when pests come into your home looking for something, generally food, water, or shelter. Pests might come looking for food or trash that is sitting out. Some could also be drawn by standing water collecting outside (from rain collecting in a particular area) or inside (from leaky pipes). Pests might also come into your home simply looking for shelter and get in through places like foundation cracks or broken screens.
One way to prevent pest infestations is seal off possible entrances into your home. These include things like cracks in your siding or foundation. Next, try to avoid leaving food out for pests. This includes keeping food in sealed containers and not leaving trash out. Third, eliminate standing water in and around your home. Find ways to reduce places where water can collect outside, and fix leaks inside.
When you notice signs of pests in your Lubbock home--things like nests, droppings, signs of damage, or the pests themselves--you should contact your local pest professional. If you've had seasonal or recurrent infestations, we suggest reaching out to a local pest control company to set up annual pest management services.
How long it takes pest control to work depends on the issue and treatment. For example, if a wasp nest is removed, you should see the results immediately. In other cases, it could take anywhere from a few days to up to six weeks for significant pest control results to be noticeable. Some pest issues might require your technician to make multiple trips to your home.
