How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control company, you want to be sure to find the right one for you. You might consider a company's qualifications and methods of treatment as well as its customer reviews and years of experience. Of course, there is also the cost of services to consider.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
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 must be licensed at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, and the Texas regulatory agencies take care of the issuing, maintaining, and revoking of licenses.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can also obtain optional certifications like the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is awarded once a company has shown its methods to be more eco-friendly and demonstrated that it also maintains certain other standards, such as up-to-date training for employees. A company can also earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further verify its practices and methods.
Pest control professionals can also hold membership in professional organizations. When a company obtains membership in an organization such as the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gets access to education, resources, and a network of other pest control professionals with whom to compare methods. This can offer additional peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a pest control company's website can tell you how long it has been in operation and what species of pests it specializes in exterminating. Local 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 calling the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), explore local review sites and social media to find out what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing through the Texas licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is important when hiring someone for pest control. Cost can be affected by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
Many companies offer free on-site estimates at the beginning of their process, to help you determine whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether if your company has a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your preferences regarding safety for yourself, your children, your pets, and the environment might affect the provider and the treatment methods you choose.
Safety
You will want to understand the precautions around pesticides used around your home, for the sake of your family, your pets, and yourself. Your pest control expert should be able to supply information about the pesticides they intend to use, whether they are low toxicity or non-toxic, and (if not) what safety measures they have in place. All pesticides (except minimum-risk ones) must be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies have begun using more natural and eco-friendly treatment methods before (or in place of) harsh chemical pesticides. Some employ a program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls.
- Use chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest control management.
- Assess the outcome and continue with additional pest control services as needed.
Common Household Pests in Dallas
Certain pests are more common than others. In Dallas, common pests to be on the lookout for include the following:
- Wasps: Wasps are often difficult to get rid of, especially while trying to avoid being stung. They are commonly found in places like attics, sheds, roof overhangs, and garages.
- Moths: If you are noticing holes in your linens or clothing, it's possible that you have moths in your home. Moths like dark places like closets, and they're more common in warmer places (like Dallas).
- Spiders: You may encounter spiders in your attic or other dark, damp areas. While most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your home.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs may be found throughout Texas, and they can lead to serious problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are hard to get rid of, we recommend having professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest furniture, bedsheets, wallpaper, and more.