Over the past 12 months, around 14 million homeowners discovered roaches in their house. Roughly 14.8 million reported seeing rodents, such as rats or mice.
Whether you’ve seen pests on your property or you want to keep them at bay, you need a reliable pest control company on speed dial. The only problem? There are likely quite a few teams in your area, and it can be difficult to find the right one for your needs.
Today, we’re sharing a few tips that can help you choose the best pest control company in your area. Once you find a great fit, you’ll be one step closer to keeping your home pest-free for good!
1. Ask Friends and Family Members
Chances are, you know someone who has used local pest control services in the past. While this isn’t an issue that many people love to proclaim from the mountaintops, most will not mind sharing their experiences if you ask.
If you know someone directly, then reach out to them first.
Ask which team they used, and what the process was like. Were the team members timely, professional, and thorough? Or, did they have an unpleasant encounter?
If you’d rather cast a wider net, then you can always take your inquiry to your social media followers. Use a tool like Facebook Recommendations to create a post and receive feedback.
These questions are geographically specific, and allow you to choose your city. This way, you can be sure that you’ll be directed toward a team that’s nearby, not halfway around the world.
2. Read Online Reviews
If you don’t get many responses from your close acquaintances, then it’s time to hop online and read some reviews! Start by Googling the names of the companies that you’ve found so far. If you don’t have any yet, then you can simply search for “types of pest control near me” or a similar phrase.
Click on a few of the ones that appear near the top of the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). When you reach their website, look to see if they have a separate page dedicated to online reviews or testimonials. Then, read through them to look for common themes.
Are reviewers talking mostly about the effectiveness of the treatment? Do you see lots of comments on the team’s aptitude and skill set? Take note of recurring sentiments, as these can give you the clearest picture of what your own experience might be like.
According to one study, 84% of people now trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from people they know. Increasingly, this is becoming a valuable way to discover new products and services, so don’t be afraid to go this route.
3. Check Services Offered
The greatest pest control company in the world won’t be useful if they don’t provide the exact services that you need.
For instance, if the team you’re eyeing only specializes in pest and spider control, then they may not be able to help you eradicate a pesky mosquito problem in your yard. At the same time, many companies that provide a wide range of pest control services will draw the line at bed bugs, requiring you to hire an exterminator who specializes only in that issue.
Before you move forward and learn more about a given company, check the “Services” page of their website. Here, you should be able to find information on all of the different types of pests that the team treats. Make sure yours is on there, and continue from there.
4. Ensure Business Legitimacy
It may go without saying, but keep in mind that it’s important to make sure you’re doing business with a legitimate pest control company. Your brother’s co-worker’s nephew might claim to have a solution to your roach problem, but he could wind up damaging your property unless he uses the proper tools and techniques.
A valid company will have a business license, as well as pest control license. They will also carry insurance. They should be able to provide you with copies of those documents upon request.
This way, if anything goes awry during your treatment, you will have recourse. Keep these copies in a safe, dry place in case you need them.
5. Check For Complaints
We live in the Digital Era. These days, if someone has a grievance to air, they won’t do it privately. Instead, they’ll go straight to the source: the internet.
Sometimes, this is a frustrating burden. Yet, when you’re diving deep into the history of a pest control company, it can work to your advantage. Research as much as you can about the company, and look for any recorded complaints that might have been issued against it.
A few of the key places to check include:
- The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- The Department of Agriculture in your state
- The Attorney General’s Office in your state
If you can’t find the data you need online, then go ahead and call these agencies. They should have records of any complaints that have been filed against the company in question. If you’re reaching out to the EPA or your state’s legislative departments, then understand that the issues you may unearth will mostly center on the illegal or improper use of pesticides.
6. Ask About Technicians
Each pest control company is required to have at least one pest control technician or pesticide applicator who is certified and licensed to perform that specific work.
Once you’ve created your short list, hop online to see if there are any “About Us” pages to browse. Here, you can learn more about the team members who may be visiting your home. Even if the team is large-scale, each employee should either be a certified pesticide applicator or a licensed technician who works under their supervision.
Not sure if the license you’re viewing is a real one? You can always double-check by calling your state’s Department of Agriculture.
7. Get a Quote
When you’re in the throes of a particularly problematic pest issue, you may be tempted to pay absolutely anything to get the creepy-crawlies out of your home.
However, it’s best to create a budget before you begin calling prospective pest control companies. This way, you can quickly eliminate any company that falls way outside of your financial comfort zone.
Speaking of quotes, most companies are happy to offer a free one at no charge. These might be in-person quotes delivered after an initial site visit, or online quotes generated in just a few minutes after you share more about the problem you’re facing.
Take advantage of these services, and use the different quotes to compare your options. As you do, remember that while price is an important factor, it isn’t the only one.
Resist the urge to go with the lowest bidder simply because you can save the most money. Find the one that gives you the greatest return on your investment instead, even if that means spending a little more upfront. It can help to get several different estimates so you understand what each local company offers.
8. Review Availability
Most professionals in the pest control industry understand that bugs aren’t exactly polite. They won’t wait until the ideal time to wreak havoc throughout your home.
As such, they’ll offer emergency services to help you out when you need it the most. Or, they’ll stay open later a few days each week to respond to your most pressing needs.
While this might not be a deal-breaker, it’s important to know the operating hours of any company that you hire. If you’re a busy professional who works 9:00 to 5:00 and cannot meet a technician until the evening, then you shouldn’t choose a company that closes its doors every day at 5:30.
10. Check Warranty
No pest control company can promise with 100% accuracy that you will never see another pest in your home ever again. In fact, consider it a red flag if they do make that kind of guarantee!
Still, many teams will warranty their work to some degree. In most cases, this means that they’ll revisit your property and re-treat it if you see the same bugs return within a set timeframe.
9. Conduct a Phone Interview
Once you’ve narrowed your list to the top few options, schedule a telephone interview to learn more about each company. These don’t have to be long conversations, but they should hit a few key points. A few of these include:
- How long have you been in business?
- How long have you been located at your current headquarters?
- Can you provide a copy of your business license upon request?
- Can you provide a list of references upon request?
- What are your operating hours and do you offer emergency services?
- Do you have experience with my specific kind of pests?
As you speak on the phone, pay attention to the tone of the person on the other end of the line. Do they seem annoyed by your questions or are they genuinely ready to help? Kindness and courtesy are also important, and the team you hire should have both in spades.
Find the Best Pest Control Company Today
It can be disheartening to discover an unwanted visitor setting up shop in your pantry, or traveling throughout your cupboards. Thankfully, there are experts who are skilled in this niche, and are ready to help.
The steps above can help you find the best pest control company in your area. When you partner with the right team, you’ll know exactly who to call moving forward.
In the meantime, we’re happy to be your go-to source for business and lifestyle news you can trust. Keep scrolling our content to discover more of our informative guides!
