How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are several things that you can weigh when selecting the right pest control company for you. In addition to a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you may 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 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, as well as those that supervise them, must be licensed via the appropriate Virginia regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, but providing, maintaining, and revoking licensing is handled at the state level.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can obtain optional certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro. These certifications can help you assess the quality of a company's products. For example, the GreenPro Service Certification recognizes comprehensive and effective pest control treatment that is safer for humans and the environment.
There are certain professional organizations in which pest control companies can hold membership. A pest control company can join both state-level organizations and national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). By being a member of these optional organizations, a company helps support its reputability and gains access to resources, education, and a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The amount of time that a company has been in business can give you some insight into its experience dealing with the pests that live in Chesapeake. Online reviews or the company's own website can also inform you whether it has the skills and experience necessary to handle your specific pest problem. If you cannot find the answers to your questions online, speaking with a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can read reviews and recommendations on social media or local review sites, verify a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, or check its licensure status through the Virginia licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is probably high on your list of priorities when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be affected influenced by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
Companies will often offer free on-site estimates as part of their process, to help you decide whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether if your company has a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control company might be influenced by how environmentally-friendly a provider's practices are, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
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Safety
Your pest control technician should be able to explain the safety precautions of any and all 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 they will put in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. All pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies are making the switch to using more natural treatment methods before, or instead of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some employ a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and assess 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.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always in combination with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Chesapeake
In Chesapeake, there are some pests that are more common than others. This list of pests includes the following:
- Termites: Termites often come into your home from nearby piles of mulch, rotting wood, or firewood. If not stopped, they can do significant damage and necessitate hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Cockroaches: It's important to take care of a cockroach infestation quickly, as they can carry diseases such as salmonella. Cockroaches can be found in many places throughout Virginia, and they prefer wetter areas.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs are often very hard to get rid of, so we recommend hiring an exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout Virginia, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your attic or other moist, dark places. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want an infestation of them in your home.
- Mice: Common signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Mice tend to frequent attics or places where food is stored.
Chesapeake Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations occur when pests come into your home looking for something, generally food, water, or shelter. Pests might be looking to eat 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 enter your home simply looking for shelter. They can get in through weak spots like broken screens or foundation cracks.
One way to prevent pest infestations is seal off potential entrances into your home. This includes things like cracks in your foundation or siding. Also try to avoid leaving food out 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 home. Try to reduce places where water collects outside, and repair leaks inside.
Any time you see signs of pests in your Chesapeake home--which could include nests, droppings, signs of damage, or the pests themselves--you should call an exterminator. If you've had seasonal or recurrent infestations, we recommend reaching out to 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. Pest control tends to flush pests from their hiding places, making them more visible; you may also see more dead pests around your house. If this uptick in pests sightings doesn't start to decrease after one to two weeks, contact your Chesapeake pest professional, as further treatment may be required.
