Best Pest Control Services - Kitchen Cabinets

Pest control is an important service that keeps homes and businesses clean, safe, and free of unwanted pests. Choosing the right pest control company is key to getting the best results. This article will provide an in-depth look at what makes for excellent pest control services.

Introduction

Dealing with pests like rodents, insects, termites, and wildlife intruders in and around your home can be frustrating and dangerous. Calling on professional pest control services is often the best solution for both home and business owners. But not all pest control companies are created equal.

When searching for the best pest control services, there are several key factors to consider. These include:

Experience and Credentials – Look for established companies with licensed, trained technicians. Make sure they have experience dealing with your specific pest problems.
Comprehensive Inspections – The best companies will take the time to thoroughly inspect your home or business and identify all current or potential pest issues.
Customized Plans and Solutions – Each pest problem is unique, so services should be tailored using a variety of proven treatment methods and products.
Use of Green Products – Reputable companies increasingly use environmentally-friendly pest control solutions.
Customer Service – Choose a responsive company that answers your questions, keeps appointments, and follows up after services.
Value and Transparency – Beware of extremely low-cost providers. Look for fair pricing and detailed service reports.

This guide will highlight what truly sets the best pest control companies apart. Keep reading for an in-depth look at what to prioritize and expect when hiring the right professionals.

Signs It’s Time to Call a Pest Control Service

Before diving into what makes for exceptional pest control, let’s look at some of the most common indications that it’s time to enlist some professional help:

You notice droppings, nests, burrows, or other evidence of pest activity in or around the home. Common problem areas include the kitchen, bathroom, attic, basement, garage, yard, and crawl spaces.
There are nibble marks, holes, or stains on food packaging, furnishings, drywall, wood, or insulation. This can indicate a rodent or insect infestation.
Doors or screens have been chewed through or have gaps at the bottom where pests can enter.
You regularly see mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, spiders, bees, termites, or other pests scurrying around your home.
There is a musty odor that may signal mold, mildew, or rot caused by pests.
Your family members suffer from allergies or illnesses that may be exacerbated by the presence of rodents, cockroaches, stinging insects, and other pests.

If you notice any combination of these signs, don’t delay – call a licensed pest control company as soon as possible. Acting quickly can help eliminate pests before they multiply, cause greater damage, or spread to other areas inside or outside the home.

Qualities of the Best Pest Control Companies

Once you’ve identified the need for professional pest services, it’s time to distinguish the top providers from the rest. Here are the key traits and capabilities exhibited by the leading pest control companies:

Licensed and Experienced Technicians

Make sure any technician that comes to your home or business is fully licensed in your state. They should have received thorough training and carry certifications demonstrating their pest management expertise.

Ask about the types of pests they have experience handling, as well as the specific treatment methods and products they use. This expertise is especially important when dealing with potentially dangerous pests like termites, bed bugs, cockroaches, rats, and wildlife intruders.

Comprehensive Inspection and Assessment

A thorough inspection of your property inside and out is crucial to diagnosing what type of pests you’re dealing with and the extent of the problem. This allows the pest control team to customize the right plan of attack.

Some things they should check for are entry points, droppings, nests, food sources, and signs of structural damage. Any evidence of current or prior infestations should also be identified.

Customized Treatment Plan

With the inspection complete, you want a pest control provider that develops a tailored plan to address the unique pest problems at your home. This should draw from a variety of proven treatment methods, which may include:

Baits and traps – Lure rodents and insects into confinement.
Dust application – Powdered pesticide applied into wall voids and other hiding spots.
Fumigation – Using gas to flush out pests from confined spaces.
Heat treatment – Raising temperatures to lethal levels for pests.
Insecticide and rodenticide application – Sprays and powders used judiciously both indoors and out.
Sealing of entry points – Caulking, weatherstripping, door sweeps.
Habitat modification – Alterations to limit food, water sources, and shelter.

A combination of two or more methods delivered in multiple phases is usually needed to fully eradicate pests and prevent recurrence.

Use of Green and Eco-Friendly Products

The most reputable pest control companies balance effectiveness with environmental responsibility when choosing products. Look for providers that favor green, eco-friendly solutions.

Some examples include:

Essential oils – Peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass repel certain insects.
Diatomaceous earth – Abrasive powder made from fossils that damages pests’ exoskeletons.
Microbe-based cleaners – Contain bacteria that remove odors and break down droppings.
Boric acid – Mineral powder that acts as a stomach poison for many insects.
Botanical insecticides – Derived from chrysanthemums and other plants.

The limited use of EPA-registered traditional pesticides may still be warranted in some cases, but green alternatives are ideal when feasible.

Excellent Customer Service

Cordial, transparent communication and great service should be top priorities before, during, and after your pest control visits. Indicators of excellent customer care include:

Detailed quotes, upfront pricing, and payment plans.
Prompt callbacks and scheduled visits.
Arriving on time and being professional, courteous, and neat.
Answering all your questions and addressing concerns.
Providing product information and safety data sheets.
Giving regular progress updates and renewal reminders.
Offering guarantees and following up to ensure satisfaction.

Look for genuine commitment to your comfort and putting your interests first.

Fair Pricing and Value

When comparing pest control services, don’t let price be the sole determining factor. A very low quote can signal inexperience or substandard work. Be wary of significant discounts or quotes well below competitors.

That said, you also don’t necessarily need to pay premium rates to get great service. Look for fair market pricing from established companies. The specific treatments required and the size of your home will also impact costs.

Ultimately, value for your money comes down to:

Effective, lasting solutions – Complete eradication without recurrence.
Efficient technicians – No time wasted during visits and inspections.
Use of quality products – Products that work without harming people or pets.
Responsiveness – Quick turnaround on your calls, flexible scheduling.
Extra services – Things like repairs, cleanup help, yard spraying.
Peace of mind – The reassurance of a job well done.

Questions to Ask Potential Pest Control Services

Once you’ve zeroed in on a few highly-rated companies, take time to interview them thoroughly. Important questions to have answered include:

How long have you been in business and what are your areas of expertise?
Are your technicians licensed and do they have experience dealing with my type of issue specifically?
What is your inspection process like? How long will it take and what will it cover?
What treatment methods and green products do you use most often?
How customized will my treatment plan be? Will you offer multiple service phases?
What risks do the pests I have pose to my family, pets, or home?
What can I expect on service days in my home? What role can I play in preparations?
What is your upfront pricing and what additional charges may apply?
Do you offer any guarantees, warranties, or payment plans?
What have been your results with past clients dealing with similar pest problems?
What will follow-up services or renewal entail? How often will I need additional treatments?

The pest control company should be able to thoroughly and satisfactorily answer these questions. Their responses will also provide insight into their expertise, transparency, and commitment to service.

Signs of a Pest Control Scam

While most pest control pros are ethical, unfortunately some disreputable companies try to take advantage of unwary homeowners. Be alert for any of these telltale signs of shady operators:

Unsolicited offers – Avoid companies that show up uninvited and pressure you to hire them.
No license – Never hire any company whose technicians can’t provide current licenses.
Vague advertisements – Legitimate companies will market specifics, not “low prices.”
Door-to-door salespeople – Most reputable companies don’t do sales door-to-door.
Requests for payment upfront – Never pay in full until services are complete.
Threats of liability – Don’t fall for high-pressure scare tactics about health dangers.
Too-good-to-be-true pricing – Extremely cheap can signal cut corners or poor quality.
No contract or guarantees – Get all promises about services, products and pricing in writing.
Lack of branded vehicles/uniforms – Make sure service people arrive in clearly marked trucks and uniforms.

Always vet any company thoroughly, check reviews, and confirm licenses before allowing workers into your home.

Questions to Expect from Pest Control Technicians

Once you’ve hired a pest control service, the technicians that come to your home will need some key information from you to maximize effectiveness. Being prepared with answers to the following questions will ensure the visit goes smoothly:

When did you first notice signs of pests? Have they become more severe over time?
Have you noticed the pests anywhere else beyond the initial problem areas? Any other rooms or outside?
Have there been any recent changes, like construction or landscaping, that could have contributed to pest ingress?
Have you used any pest control products already? Did they produce any results?
Are there small children or pets in the home to take into consideration when treating?
Do you know of any entry points, food sources, or hiding places being utilized by pests?
Have the pests kept you from using any specific areas of the home?
When is the best time for technicians to access all areas of the home during service visits?
Are you aware of any repair needs that may allow access for pests, like holes in screens or gaps beneath doors?

Being as detailed as possible when answering questions like these will optimize your technician’s inspection and allow them to craft the most effective pest elimination plan.

Tips for Preparing Your Home for Pest Control Service

You can further help your pest control technicians do their job in the most efficient and effective manner by taking some key steps when prepping your home:

Declutter to allow access to all areas, especially cluttered attics, basements, closets, and cabinets.
Have pets contained safely away from treatment areas during service visits. Kennel or board dogs and cats if necessary.
Wash all exposed dishes and surfaces to remove any residues that could interact with treatments.
Remove pesticide products you’ve applied so technicians know what’s been used.
Clean up pet droppings in the yard where exterior treatments will occur.
Have someone available during the initial service visit to unlock doors, move furnishings, and point out problem spots.

Leave the property once treatments begin for required time periods to allow products to work most effectively without disturbance.

Taking steps like these will optimize your technicians’ access and ability to provide the most thorough, successful pest elimination services.

What to Do After Your Pest Control Service

Once the initial service visit is complete, adhering to the following tips will help extend the effectiveness of treatments and deter pests’ return:

Avoid wiping or disturbing any pesticide dusts and residues for the recommended period, usually a few hours.
Refrain from washing treated carpets, rugs, and drapes for at least a week, per directions.
Keep pets and children away from any treated areas until they are completely dry.
Vacuum dead insects and empty the bag/canister contents outdoors after a few days.
Limit your own pesticide use to allow professional treatments to work fully.
Take measures to reduce clutter, seal cracks, and modify pest entryways and food sources per technicians’ suggestions.
Notify the company immediately if you see any recurrence of pests so follow-up visits can address them promptly.
Schedule any recommended renewal treatments well in advance rather than waiting for pests to reappear.

Consistent cooperation with your pest control provider is key for achieving lasting protection against infestations.

FAQs about Pest Control Services

What types of pests do pest control companies deal with most often?

The pests most commonly treated by professional pest control services include:

Mice – Very common intruders that contaminate food and spread diseases.
Cockroaches – Resilient pests drawn to food debris and moisture.
Ants – Invade kitchens and other areas in search of sweets and proteins.
Termites – Cause major structural damage consuming wood components.
Bed bugs – Problematic in hotels, apartments, and other dwellings where they feed on sleeping humans.
Mosquitoes – Backyard biters that breed in stagnant water and raise health concerns.
Stinging insects – Bees, wasps, and hornets swarming outside the home.
Wildlife pests – Raccoons, squirrels, opossums that enter attics and other openings.

How often should pest control services be done?

Most pests require an initial intensive treatment phase followed by ongoing preventative services. After the first few visits, quarterly or biannual maintenance is typically needed.

However, factors like climate, degree of infestation, and neighborhood conditions can alter service needs. Ongoing issues may need monthly visits. Seasonal spikes in certain pests like ants and mosquitoes call for targeted treatments during those times annually.

Consult with technicians about what schedule they recommend for your specific pest scenario. Be vigilant about sticking to scheduled services once pests are eliminated to prevent recurring infestations.

Are pest control treatments safe for my family and pets?

Reputable pest control companies use products that are tested for use in occupied homes when applied correctly by licensed technicians. Most solutions are low in toxicity to humans and pets, especially once dried.

That said, it’s smart to exercise some precautions. Keep small children and pets out of treated areas until completely dry. Vacate the premises while liquid sprays are being applied. Wipe down any surfaces where food is prepared.

Ask your technician for product safety sheets and details on when it’s safe to reenter areas. Limit re-exposure once home and wash your hands and produce. Take any added precautions as advised, and you should feel comfortable with the safety of professional treatments.

What can I do to make my home less appealing to pests?

Alongside professional treatments, some DIY pest-proofing steps include:

Seal all possible entryways like cracks in foundations, holes in screens, and gaps around pipes.
Install door sweeps and weatherstripping to close door and window gaps.
Fix leaks promptly and eliminate standing water.
Install lighting near entrances.
Keep vegetation trimmed back from the home’s exterior.
Store all food securely in sealed containers.
Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
Take out the trash and wipe up spills regularly.
Declutter storage areas like attics and basements.

Making your home less inviting will enhance the effects of pest control treatments for the long run.

What signs mean pest control treatment didn’t work fully?

Seeing live pests again after services likely signals that treatments were not fully effective. Other signs of lingering pest problems include:

Continued evidence of droppings, rub marks, and bite marks post-service.
Pest odors coming from untreated hiding spots.
Discovery of nests or burrows during cleaning or renovations.
Ongoing damage to insulation, drywall, packaging, or wiring.
Pupating insect skins left behind.

Notify your pest control company immediately if such signs persist so they can address gaps and alter the treatment plan for better results. Additional service visits are usually needed when issues resurface.

Conclusion

Dealing with a pest infestation can disrupt home life and impact health. Hiring one of the leading pest control companies that offers comprehensive inspection, customized plans, eco-friendly solutions, great service, fair pricing, and effective treatments is key to resolving issues long-term.

Now that you know what sets the best pest control services apart, you can focus your search on providers that exhibit these qualities. Taking time to vet companies thoroughly first is essential to getting your money’s worth. The right experienced professionals will rid your home or business of pests efficiently, safely, and affordably so you can enjoy pest-free living once again.