How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control company, you want to make sure that you find the right one for you. Important factors include a company's qualifications, its treatment methods, experience and reviews, and of course the cost of services.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators (and those who supervise them) must be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in the state of California must be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
One certification that pest control companies can earn is the GreenPro Service Certification, which requires a company to show that its practices are eco-friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Trade organizations such as QualityPro offer additional certifications. While not required, these can help show that a pest control company is reputable.
Pest control companies can also hold membership in professional organizations. Companies can be members of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. Membership in the NPMA provides companies with access to education, resources, and a network of other pest control companies. While not mandatory, membership in professional organizations helps back up a company's reputability.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a pest control company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what species of pests it specializes in exterminating. Online reviews can also offer some insight into a company's experience dealing with a certain type of pest. If you're unable to find this information online, you can try reaching out to the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's reviews and rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), explore social media and local review sites to see what other people are saying, or verify its license standing via the California licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is often a deciding factor when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you determine if it fits into your budget. You can also see if it offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when picking a pest control provider. You might also prefer one that uses environmentally friendly methods.
Safety
Your pest control technician should be able to discuss the safety of any and all pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to clarify whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions will be used to protect your family, your pets, and you. Any pesticides that pose greater than a minimum risk need to be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now exploring cleaner and greener pest control solutions that can be used before (or instead of) chemical pesticides. Many follow the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Figure out what pests are causing the problem and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in San Francisco
You might encounter some pests more often in San Francisco. Some pests to keep an eye out for include these:
- Ants: Whether they are smaller soil ants or larger carpenter ants, these pests can be found in most of California. Carpenter ants can pose a more urgent issue than their smaller counterparts because they can do damage to your home.
- Bed bugs: Infestations of bed bugs can be very hard to quash, so we strongly recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs are found throughout California, and can infest not just your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even wallpaper.
- Mice: Some telltale signs of mice include chewed wires and droppings around your house. Frequently, mice can be found in attics or in areas where you keep food.