It’s the unwanted house guest that shows up uninvited—insects. We all know the occasional bug is to be expected in our home, but many homeowners suffer from serious invasions—lice, spiders, pillbugs, and centipedes, to name a few.
Insects can be scary, but even worse, they can carry disease and also do damage to your property. What can you do if you have a pest problem?
Your best option is to stop pests in their tracks by hiring a pest control company to treat and clean the home, killing all the insects and their larva.
How can you find the best pest control company for your home? Keep reading to find out!
Table of Contents
Start With Reading Reviews
To find the right company for the job, we recommend you start by reading reviews.
Search online for something like ‘best pest control company near me’. It’s sure to bring up plenty of reviews and references from previous customers.
Unbiased review sites like Yelp and Google Reviews are helpful too. Look for companies that have plenty of positive comments online, especially regarding their professionalism, safety, and the effectiveness of their services.
Or, if you’re in any local community groups on Facebook or online, these can be valuable sources of information when trying to find a local pest control company.
Don’t neglect the power of personal references as well. Speak to friends or neighbors and ask them if they’ve had a problem with pests and what company they used for the job.
Select Based on Quality, Not Price
The cheapest pest control company is the best choice, right? Not so fast—we recommend hiring based on the quality of the company, not price alone.
There are plenty of subpar exterminators out there who cut corners, use dangerous chemicals, or don’t get the job done.
This can actually cost you more money in the long run. This is because you may need to hire a second company to finish what the first company didn’t do—giving the insects more time to wreak havoc on your home.
Looking for more ways to tell a quality company from a dud? Check out this link to learn more: https://www.altuspest.com/10-factors-that-set-the-best-pest-control-companies-apart/.
Consider Customer Service
Customer service is another key factor that can help you find the right company. When you research companies and start calling them with questions, do you feel like you’re treated like a valued customer—or just a number?
Try to learn more about a company’s customer service policies before hiring them. Look for key indicators like business hours, warranties, and complaint policies.
Look for Insurance and Qualifications
Other big considerations are the qualifications and insurance coverage of each company. A reputable business will be registered with your state’s local pesticide regulation agency, as this is an indicator that they can safely use and handle chemicals and pesticides.
You might also want to see if the company is registered with your local better business bureau. The staff should also all be qualified and trained on how to perform their job safely.
A good company will also stand by its work, guaranteeing that your home will remain pest-free for a set period of time.
It’s important to make sure your company is insured too. Pest control companies are coming into your home, spraying chemicals around your valuable furniture and belongings—as you can imagine, this can be a potential disaster if not done well.
Look for a company that is fully insured, including liability, so that you’re covered in case anything goes wrong.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of scammers out there who will take advantage of desperate homeowners, so do your due diligence when selecting a company.
Read About Each Company’s Safety Protocols
Safety is a huge consideration when hiring. Does the company take safety seriously, including wearing PPE gear when working with pesticides as well as the safety of your home, children, and pets?
Also, ask the company if they work with any less toxic or environmentally-friendly pest treatment options. Not all homeowners like the idea of filling their homes with chemicals.
It’s ok to shop around until you find a company with values and practices that match your own.
Will They Provide You With Aftercare Instructions?
Generally, you and your family will be out of the home while it’s being treated for pests. But what comes next and how can you know when it’s safe to enter the home again?
A responsible pest control company will give you clear instructions on what to do for the next few days after the pest treatment. They should also be transparent in outlining the chemicals being used, the health risks, and how you and your family can remain safe.
Pesticides are usually a higher risk to pets or young kids, so your pest company should take care to explain what you can do to stay safe—especially when it comes to vulnerable family members.
If you have any concerns after the pest treatment, check that your company is happy to come back for a follow-up visit.
Use These Tips to Find the Best Pest Control Company
If you’ve had enough of creepy-crawlies in your home, then you need to get professional help. Use the tips above to find the best pest control company in your area, then give them a call.
Most companies are happy to provide free estimates, so give them a call and explain your pest problem. They’ll then come out for a home visit to learn more, provide you with a quote, and then you can schedule a date for the pest extermination.
Soon, you’ll be able to rest easy in your home again, knowing it’s free of unwanted visitors.
Was this helpful? If so, please keep reading for more great home and real estate content.
