How to Choose a Pest Control Company?

This is the definitive guide on how to choose a pest control company for hire. Learn everything you need to know, before, during, and after the pest treatment.

What if you have a pest problem you can’t fix?

You tried a few do-it-yourself treatments and nothing works. The pests keep coming back again and again. They do not respond well to the usual treatments of boric acid, diatomaceous earth, borax, and commercial baits and sprays.

Now, what should you do about these pests?

Maybe it’s time you called in professional help. Don’t pick up the phone just yet. You need to read “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Pest Control Company”.

This concise and useful guide details everything you need to know about hiring a pest control company. A homeowner just like you wrote this guide and not the pest control company. We go over things to consider and questions to ask before, during, and after you have received treatment.

When should you seek professional help?

Not all pest problems will require professional help. If any of the following situations apply to you, then it is probably a good idea to reach out to a local company for help.

Most do-it-yourself (DIY) treatment approaches work well for small pest infestations. In the event, a DIY solution fails and the pests return you’ll need a more professional solution.

There will be times when you do not catch and treat your pest situation earlier enough. Here your pest problem will be so large and may get so out of hand you have no other choice. Large pests infestation are problematic and require a much stronger commercial approach.

Time to pick up the phone and dial-up some assistance.

By law, in some states, if you rent or sell a property they require you to use a certified professional to treat and remove bugs and pests. If this is the case in your state, it means this is a requirement so you have no choice and cannot do it yourself.

If you run a food-related establishment or company in the health care or hospitality business, it’s best to not do things yourself. For safety and legal reasons, always pay pest companies to do the job. You would hate to fail a health inspection and get your business shut down.

It’s important to remove pests as soon as possible if anyone in your household is affected by asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system. You don’t want to play around here and keep trying do-it-yourself methods. Find yourself someone licensed and insured how specializing is products that a safe to humans with these conditions.

How do you Research Pests Companies Online?

Take time, do your research before calling. You want to know as much as possible about a company before you get on the phone to discuss business. The best way to do this is to get online.

All you need is a few minutes and an internet connection. You must do some online detective work beforehand.

Type the company name into the Google search bar. You are looking for recent customer testimonials and reviews. If you find them, do they look credible and real? What are people saying about the company? Is the information positive or negative?

Another place to find reviews is on the company’s website. The only problem here is that you will probably only see positive reviews. Which means these are not unbiased reviews.

Check out the business review on Yelp is another way to go about researching a pest control company. Angie’s list is also another excellent place to read unbiased reviews. And don’t forget to head over to the Better Business Bureau to see what they say about a company.

Did I already mention asking around? Guess not. You should talk to your neighbors, friends, and associates. See if they can recommend a company or have any experience with the company you are considering.

You should perform this kind of research on every company you are considering.

10 Questions You Want to Ask and Get Answered Before Hiring

There will be times when you will have to hire as soon as possible. In most cases, you will have time to vet a few companies and select the best. So don’t rush off and hire the first pest control company that comes up on your radar.

Below are some of the most important questions you should ask.

If a company will not provide you answers to these questions, just move on down your list. I’m sure a more reputable and honest company will have no issue or take offense to you asking questions.

#1 – Does the company have a good track record?

I have nothing against new companies that are just starting out. You want to work with companies that have been in business and have a proven track record of providing excellent service.

Check with family, friends, and neighbors, even contact the Better Business Bureau to see if anyone is complaining about the company.

#2 – Is the company licensed, bonded and insured? What about your exterminators?

The pest control industry is one that requires businesses to be licensed, bonded, and insured. So you have to ask the question. Don’t just assume because this is a requirement, all businesses are operating within the law.

Likewise, in some states, both the company and its exterminators are required to be licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask about the exterminators too.

#3 – Does the company have insurance? If so, what kind of insurance?

The importance of having insurance cannot be overstated. Any pest control company you work with must be insured. The insurance is needed whether one of their employees is injured while working in your home or if through actions of their own your property is damaged.

You’ll need to find out if the company has liability insurance to cover damages to your home.

I’m sure you’d rather the pest control company pay for an employee’s injury rather than you getting stuck with a bill. You would also want them to cover expenses for any damages they cause to your home or furnishings during treatment.

#4 – Does the company belong to any professional pest control organization? If so, which ones.

Does the company below to any local, regional, or national association in the pest industry? It’s important that they do as this demonstrates their desire to remain current in the industry.

Through membership and active participation, companies are able to stay current on important industry information. They are exposed to the latest pest control methods, regulation changes, and the latest research findings.

#5 – How much training has your exterminators received?

The best pest control professionals are adequately trained. In addition to on the job training, most pest exterminators receive formalized school training and certifications.

Just be sure it’s not their first day on the job and a plan to use you and your pest situation as a training opportunity. As this will potentially be a waste of your time and money.

#6 – Ask if their service is safe pets?

If you have pets in the home, you should be concerned. You should choose a company that offer eco-friendly pest control solutions. This way you do not put your pet in harm’s way and you’ll be sure that the pest technician or exterminator is not using chemicals or pesticides that will affect your furry friend.

#7 – What if I’m not happy with the results?

You should only work with companies that stand behind their work. Ask about their guarantee and inquire to see if the offer re-treatments. Make sure you understand the conditions of each guarantee this is offered.

#8 – Will your treatments get rid of pests and keep them from returning?

This is a great question to ask. Oftentimes, homeowners are under the mistaken belief that one treatment will solve their pest problem. This is almost always never the case; as follow-up treatments are the norm rather than the exception.

Any good pest control company that you choose will tell you that you must perform preventive measures to keep pests from returning. Things such as keeping a clean de-cluttered house can go a long way toward making your home an unsuitable place for pests to live.

#9 – Can you provide any references, testimonials, or online reviews?

If references are provided, contact them to find out if they were satisfied with the services provided. Beware of any company that does not have positive online reviews or anyone who can vouch for the quality and effectiveness of their services.

The preventive measures you take are just as important as the pest control treatment. That said, ask what you can do to keep pests from returning.

#10 – How do you prepare your home for pest control treatment?

It will not take long to prepare your home for pest control treatment if you already keep a clean house. If you are not already keeping your home neat and tidy, we strongly recommend you do it. Pest control treatments are not as effective for upkeep and cluttered homes.

Some basic things you can do to get prepared include the following list of tasks.

• Sweep and mop all non-carpeted floors.
• Vacuum all carpets and rugs
• Move furniture and large appliances away from the walls
• Cover pet cages and aquariums with sheets or towels
• Clean off all kitchen and bathroom countertops
• Place foods in plastic storage containers
• Remove pet food and water to a safe location
• Close all windows

It’s a good idea to also ask your pest control company if there is anything you need to do to prepare for the treatment. Oftentimes, they will provide you with a list or just tell you over the phone what you need to do to get ready.

Final Thoughts

Some final thoughts if all else fails you should choose a pest control company the same way you do for any services. In most cases, we base the decision to work with one company over another based on quality and value. We can apply the same thought process and principles to selecting a pest control company. Just something to consider.