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How do I Choose the Best Pest Control Services?

Nychole Price
Nychole Price

When insects and rodents enter your yard and home, they can quickly become a nuisance. You can try to exterminate them yourself, but the likelihood of them returning, without regular treatment, is high. This is when an exterminator becomes handy. Pest control services are separated into two distinct categories: general household pest control and termite control. Depending upon which type of service you are looking for, there are a couple of things to take into consideration to choose the best pest control companies.

General household pest control services cover the extermination of cockroaches, fleas, ticks, termites, household and fire ants, beetles, gnats, fleas and several other pests. Due to the fact that these nuisances can enter your house by flying, crawling and being carried in, the residence must be treated year-round.

Ants surrounding a piece of food.
Ants surrounding a piece of food.

When selecting your general household pest control service, learn which chemicals they use and verify that you aren't sensitive to them. The chemicals used to exterminate pests vary between the exterminators and the pests being exterminated. Regular exposure to intolerable chemicals can cause severe allergic reactions.

Study the contract closely to verify that it doesn't contain any undisclosed clauses that may result in penalties should you cancel the service. Make sure the service will not charge you extra should you need them to spray between scheduled quarterly or yearly visits. Unfortunately, you can not predict when pests will pay a visit.

An American cockroach, also sometimes called a palmetto bug.
An American cockroach, also sometimes called a palmetto bug.

Verify that the company is licensed before signing a contract. The pest control service should have a Certified Operator within 100 miles of the office near you. Check that the pest control services have insurance coverage with an errors and omissions clause, which covers unexpected damage to your property.

Termite control is a completely different form of pest control, as the termites are often located underground, as well as in and around the residence. Successfully exterminating termites requires years of experience and specialized equipment. Ask for references, and verify them. Begin the process in advance, to allow yourself time to investigate multiple companies.

Some pest control services use rat poison to eliminate rodents.
Some pest control services use rat poison to eliminate rodents.

Check that the pest control services inspect your attic and crawl space, as well as the vicinity of the home. This shows that they are thorough and knowledgeable. A professional exterminator will carrya flashlight, probe, moisture meter and protective clothing. Keep these areas free of clutter to make the inspection easier and more accurate.

As with general household pest control services, make sure you aren't allergic to the chemicals used during the process. Keep an eye out for signs of irritation and illness in yourself or your family members. If you notice signs of an allergic reaction, have the pest control company spray with different chemicals.

Discussion Comments

Grivusangel

I would also make sure the company used methods that would not harm my pets. Pyrethrin can be toxic to cats, so I would want that used very carefully, and primarily outside my home.

Right now, I'm thinking of calling the pest control guy to see if he can get rid of the ants in my house! They're taking over my kitchen, and I'd like them to go somewhere else.

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    • Ants surrounding a piece of food.
      By: Sapsiwai
      Ants surrounding a piece of food.
    • An American cockroach, also sometimes called a palmetto bug.
      By: R_R
      An American cockroach, also sometimes called a palmetto bug.
    • Some pest control services use rat poison to eliminate rodents.
      By: jaggat
      Some pest control services use rat poison to eliminate rodents.
    • A flying cockroach.
      By: Mushy
      A flying cockroach.
    • Homeowners may employ the service of an exterminator.
      By: senkaya
      Homeowners may employ the service of an exterminator.
    • Exterminators may be needed to get rid of rodents.
      By: jagodka
      Exterminators may be needed to get rid of rodents.