Selecting A Pest Control Company - Pests In The Home

Homeowners need to think about pest control as part of a home maintenance plan. While you can prevent pests from infesting your home, you may need a professional pest control service in some situations. Consider a professional for public health pests such as rodents, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and often cockroaches, and ants. Also, if you own your home, termite and wood-destroying organisms should be handled by pest management professionals (PMPs). This publication is intended to provide guidance on selecting a pest control company for “general household pest” (GHP) services.

There are thousands of pest control companies across the nation. So how do you select the right pest control company for you? The key is to ask a lot of questions. Here are some tips on selecting a pest control company:

Interview 3 to 5 pest control companies

Where to start? Word-of-mouth, local referrals, internet research, online reviews, Better Business Bureau (https://www.bbb.org/).

Do an in-person interview. Many companies will offer free estimates. During the interview, these observations should factor into your decision:

• The pest management professional should be dressed in a business uniform.
• Many states require an identification card. If required, pest management professional should be ready to present a state identification card upon request (Figure 1).

• The pest management professional should also be able to furnish you with a business telephone number and business address.
• Look at the vehicle. It should be clean and well-maintained. For example, equipment should be organized and pesticides clearly labeled and secure.
• Many states do not allow magnetic signage on the vehicle driven by the person who will perform the pest control work.
• Recommendations and contract quotes should be completed based on the inspection of your home. Be wary of companies that provide quotes based on the size of your house only.
• The inspector may look “under, around, behind, and on top” of areas where pests may hide (Figure 2).

During the interview, pest management professionals urge you to ask potential providers:

• About the length of the agreement/contract and frequency of service as well as response time.
• What guarantees, if any, are offered?
• What will void your contract?
• How are your records kept and will they be readily accessible?
• How will scheduling work? Will the technician or office text/call you to narrow the window of arrival or if they will be late? Do I have to be home?
• What is the company training policy to ensure that technicians are up-to-date? Training should be continual. Some companies provide weekly training.
• Is the company a member of a professional association such as the National Pest Management Association, a state association, or a similar professional organization?
• See additional questions under Additional Items to Consider

Determine that the pest control companies are working legally

Illegal pest control operators are increasingly common, posing a threat to people and the environment. Each state has different requirements. Please check the website for the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials website (http://www.aspcro.org/officials.html ) for your state’s information.

Generally, states require pest control businesses to carry insurance, proof of someone at the location passing certification examination, and meeting statutory training and record-keeping requirements.