How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Along with a company's qualifications and pest extermination methods, you may also look into how long it has been in business and what the reviews are like. Finally, you'll likely want to look at 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, as well as those that supervise them, should be licensed via the appropriate Colorado regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, while providing, maintaining, and revoking licensure is handled at the state level.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for additional certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to verify its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. These companies also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
There are certain professional organizations that pest control companies can be members of. Pest control companies can obtain membership in both state-level organizations and national organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). While not mandatory, membership in these organizations helps prove a company's reputability and gives it access to education, resources, and a network of other professionals to compare best practices with.
Professional Experience and Specialties
How long a company has been in business can tell you something about its experience dealing with the pests that live in Denver. Online reviews or the company's website itself can also inform you whether it has the skills and experience needed to handle your specific pest problem. If you cannot find the answers to your questions online, contacting the company directly is a great way to learn about its areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can browse reviews and recommendations on social media or local review sites, view a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check the status of its license through the Colorado licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Things like the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors can all influence the price of pest control.
You can look into whether a company provides free on-site estimates (to determine if it fits in your budget), as well as what type of guarantees it offers. Often, a company will guarantee that if it does not resolve your pest problem, it will continue treatment until it does.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When it comes to picking a pest control provider, you want to choose a company that will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You might also prefer a provider that is eco-friendly.
Safety
Be sure to ask your pest control expert if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what kind of precautionary measures they plan to take. Any pesticides that are not minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest control provider should be able to supply information about all of the pesticides they are going to use.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your pest control provider will begin with more natural and lower-toxicity methods before employing harsher chemicals.
Many companies now use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to eliminate pests while reducing personal and environmental risks. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine whether immediate action is needed.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other controls for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and continue with additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Denver
You might run into some pests more frequently in Denver. Some to keep an eye out for include these:
- Wasps: Wasps are often found in spots like attics, garages, sheds, and roof overhangs. They have painful stings and are often difficult to exterminate. Your local pest control technician can help remove wasps from your property safely.
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches can be found throughout Colorado, although they prefer wetter areas. Cockroaches come inside through small cracks, and they can spread diseases like salmonella.
- Flies: Flies can be a nuisance in your Denver home year-round, but they tend to be more common during the warmer months. You may spot flies around sinks or in areas where you keep food.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your basement, attic, or other dark, damp areas. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want an infestation of them in your house.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs may be found throughout Colorado, and they can lead to big problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of, we recommend having professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest wallpaper, furniture, bedsheets, and more.