How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step in the pest control process is hiring the right company for you. Some things you may consider include licensing and qualifications, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
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?
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the minimum standards of competency for pesticide application, licensure is taken care of at the state level. All pesticide applicators (and their supervisors) in California should be licensed by all the necessary state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for additional certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to back up its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. A company that receives this certification also needs to maintain certain employee training standards.
Pest control companies can also join various professional organizations. A pest control company can obtain membership in state-level organizations in addition to national organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals to compare best practices with.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can gain some insight into a company's experience level by looking at how long it has been in business. Local reviews and the company's own website can also clue you in as to 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
You can look at a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read local review sites and social media to find out what others in your area have to say, or verify its license standing via the California licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
For many people, cost is one of the main deciding factors when looking for pest control. Cost can be determined by factors like your location, the type of pest being treated, and the size of your house.
You can consider whether a company offers free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), and what kind of guarantees it provides. Often, a company will guarantee that if your pest problem isn't fixed by its treatment, it will continue to treat until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control company might be affected by how environmentally-friendly a provider's practices are, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
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Safety
All pesticides that will be used (except those that are classified as minimum-risk) must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control technician should supply information on every pesticide they are using. They should inform you whether these chemicals are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions will be taken.
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Treatment Methods
Many companies have started offering options for more environmentally friendly methods of pest control before relying on 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 the source of the pest problem and determine if immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always in combination with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control as needed.
