Pests are creatures that may live on your property when they are not needed. Sometimes they can be harmless, but most of the time, they can be a nuisance. Also, keeping pests out of house is extremely difficult. Therefore, many people try their best to eliminate these pesky creatures and keep their homes pest-proof to live a peaceful and stressful life.
One of the ways to ensure that these pests will no longer bug you and other people on your property is to hire a professional pest control company. But how will you know that you will hire the best of the best?
What is a Pest Control Company?
Pest control companies or exterminators are professionals responsible for eliminating pests like rats, roaches, termites, mosquitoes, or spiders in an area. First, they assess the area that is suspected to be infested by pests. Doing so allows them to determine the type of pests, the severity of the situation, and the source of the infestation.
Then, they will plan what kind of method to use depending on the result of their assessment. Once they are done with the assessment, and they already have a plan, they will communicate with the owner of the area about the situation, costs, procedures, prevention, and health risks.
Other than eliminating the pests, pest control companies will also make sure to implement preventive measures to ensure that the infestation won’t happen again in the future.
Why Do You Need a Pest Control Company?
Is hiring a pest control company even necessary? The answer to that question is yes, and below are the reasons why you need to hire a pest control company if you suspect that your area is infested. Having a pest control professional would help you keep your entire home pest free(even your backyard will be pest free).
DIY is not enough – We can buy consumers products or over-the-counter pest sprays to eliminate these pesky pests in our area. We can even create pest control products using items found in our homes. However, these products are not as powerful and effective as those used by pest control companies in the long run. You will not get to the root of the infestations because you are not knowledgeable enough about every type of pest in the world. You may identify some common ones like spiders, rats, and roaches, but there are thousands of other pests that may infest your home that only the pest control companies are experts at.
Health problems – Ignoring pest problems impose dangerous health problems. Some pests are not as dangerous as others, but they still carry diseases or bacteria that they can transmit to you and other people in the area – including pets. There are pests that can transmit serious types of illnesses that may result in death.
Damage – Not only do pests carry diseases, but they can also damage other properties in your area. This includes structural items, furniture, and electrical wiring. They can chew on these things that may require you to pay a hefty amount of money just to get them repaired.
Contamination – As mentioned before, pests carry bacteria. These bacteria can also be transmitted to your food when their saliva and waste come in contact with it. Contaminated food will result in certain illnesses as well, like diarrhea and infections.
How to Choose the Best Pest Control Company?
Now you know the reason why hiring a pest control company is important when you are dealing with pest infestations. We will now discuss how you will be able to choose the best pest control company near you. By being aware of the things below, you will ensure that you will get professional pest control services.
License and Certification
Just like any other professionals, pest control companies must also have their licenses and possibly other certifications as proof that they are qualified and have undergone training in pest control. Nobody wants to hire people that do not know what they are doing. Professional pest control companies must know all the pests in the world in order to know what is the best method to exterminate them. It is best to hire a professional pest control company that has a certified entomologist, one that is an expert in zoology, specifically insects.
Experience
New pest control companies are not bad. However, people most likely trust pest control companies that have already been operating for months or years. You may still hire a newly established pest control company, but be aware that they still haven’t built up their reputation and credibility yet. There is no assurance that their service will be good, and you cannot acquire any reviews from other people.
Reputation
When a pest control company has been operating for a while and has served few to many people already, it has already built its reputation. This could be good or bad – sometimes a combination of both. You can ask around or look for reviews only about the pest control company you would like to hire. Make sure that there are more good reviews than bad ones.
Cost
The average cost of pest control services is around USD 50 – USD 1,000. This fee varies depending on the type of services you will get and other additional fees. However, you should select a professional pest control company that will first assess your house and give you a written quote indicating all the things you have to pay. The estimated price always changes. Therefore, you have to know what you are paying for without hidden charges, which means that the professional pest control company must be transparent to you when it comes to the cost of their services.
Customer Service
A business was established to serve its customers. Despite the saying “the customers are always right,” that is not usually the case. However, the company should always listen to their customers first and their concerns. Then, they can lay out their solution to the customers. Additionally, they should have backup plans or alternative plans that they can offer to their customers. A service-based company should ensure that the service that they are giving to their customers will leave them with a happy face.
Safety
Pest controlling comes with risk because oftentimes, they will spray a toxic gas to eliminate the pests. Certain risks should be discussed first by the pest control company with the owner of the property before proceeding with the method. They should give the owner the precautions and things that they need to do before and after the procedure to ensure their safety.