How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step in the pest control process is hiring the right company for you. Things you may consider include licensing and qualifications, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
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?
Per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and those that supervise them are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators in North Carolina need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain additional certifications like the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is given once a company has proven its methods to be more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also holds itself up to certain other standards, such as up-to-date training for employees. A company can also earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further back up its methods and practices.
Pest control companies can also join various professional organizations. When a company becomes a member of an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gets access to resources, education, and a network of other pest professionals with whom to compare treatment methods. This can offer extra peace of mind that a company follows industry 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 Greensboro. Customer reviews or the company's own website can also enlighten you as to whether it has the skills and experience necessary to deal with your particular pests. If the answers to your questions aren't available online, calling a representative is an easy way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read social media and local review sites to hear what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing via the North Carolina licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors can all influence the cost of pest control.
You can find out whether a company provides free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), as well as what sort of guarantees it provides. Often, a company will provide a guarantee that if it does not resolve your pest problem, it will continue treatment until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Safety is an important consideration when selecting a pest control provider, and you might prefer a provider who employs more natural, environmentally-friendly methods.
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Safety
Ask your pest control provider if they plan on using low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides--if not, ask about what precautionary measures they will take. Any pesticide that has been deemed above minimum risk should be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should provide information about all of the pesticides used, and how safe they are around people and pets.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies have started offering options for more environmentally friendly methods of pest control before moving to harsh pesticides.
One common method for making pest control safer and greener is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine if immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and continue with additional pest control as needed.
