How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When choosing a pest control company, you want to be sure to find the right one for you. A company's qualifications and treatment methods are important to consider, as well as its years of experience and what other customers have said. Of course, you will also want to consider 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 their supervisors need to be licensed at the state level. The EPA maintains minimum standards of competency, and the Wisconsin regulatory agencies take care of the granting, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can earn the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires that a company show that its practices are 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.
There are various professional organizations that pest control companies can be members of. Membership in an organization such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or a state-level organization gives companies access to resources and education, and a professional network to compare best practices with. Joining organizations like these is not required, but it can help indicate that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a company's website can tell you how long it has been in operation and what species of pests it specializes in exterminating. Online reviews can also offer some insight into a company's experience dealing with a specific pest. If this information isn't available online, you can try contacting the company directly.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can verify a company's legitimacy using social media or local review sites as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also check with Wisconsin's licensing board to verify the status of a company's license.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
It's important to think about cost when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be affected influenced by your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
Often, companies will offer free on-site estimates before starting work, to help you decide whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether if your company has a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that it will continue to treat your pest problem until it is solved.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, your children, your pets, and the environment might affect which provider and treatment methods you choose.
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Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to explain the safety precautions of any pesticides that will be used in your home. They should be able to explain whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions will be in place to protect you, your family, and your pets. All pesticides that pose above a minimum risk must be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
Nowadays, many companies are exploring cleaner and greener pest solutions that can be used before (or instead of) chemical pesticides. Many follow the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when required, and always along with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
