5 Things To Consider Before Hiring Professional Pest Control
Having pests in your home can be frustrating and challenging to get rid of without professional-grade solutions. According to the United States Census Bureau, 14 million housing units experience pest control problems primarily due to cockroaches and rodents. Other nuisances that can invade your home include spiders, ants, scorpions, fleas, mites, bedbugs, and termites. Moreover, insect and vermin issues can lead to several health problems that can make individuals sick or possibly result in death. Monetary losses are also a concern when these pests damage your furniture, home structure, etc.
Fortunately, a professional pest control service can help you get rid of the pests in your home and prevent them from wreaking havoc on your life. However, many companies are dedicated to eliminating animals and bugs, making it difficult to narrow down the best company for you. So here are factors, tips, and general rules to keep in mind during your research.
Price
Let's face it, professional pest control services are not cheap. Forbes states that the average cost for full-service visits can range between $250 and $600, with people sometimes spending thousands of dollars. Several factors can affect the final price of pest control, including the type of pest, location, severity of infestation, removal difficulty, and frequency. In many cases, extermination companies can evaluate your home for free and provide a quote for your specific issue. Make sure to ask different businesses in your area for an estimate before finalizing a contract and hiring them to ensure you're getting the best price.
Even though DIY pest control methods may seem cheaper, they don't last, and you may actually spend more money than if you had hired a professional to complete the job. Moreover, hiring an exterminator that knows what they're doing ensures insects and rodents are taken care of in an efficient manner.
Services
What type of services does the pest control business offer; for example, do you need a thorough fumigation of your whole house or want to patch up a few problem areas? Per Atomic Pest Control, there are different types of pest control, including physical, electronic, biological, and chemical. So, you must determine if the specific treatment used will effectively eliminate the pest currently invading your home. Ask yourself, how many times has the company performed this type of service and what do the reviews say? All of these questions are important when looking for an exterminator.
Another thing to consider is if the company offers regular or one-time treatments. While a one-time service may provide some peace of mind, there's always the likelihood of insects or rodents returning and becoming permanent residents in your home again. However, you can minimize the number of thorough treatments you need with ongoing support.
Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials can help you understand how other individuals feel about the pest control service you're considering hiring. Honest reviews can provide valuable insight that can ultimately help you decide. According to a Global Web Index (GWI) report, approximately half of internet users post online reviews monthly, providing you access to a wide range of testimonials.
You can also read business reviews in many places, including Yelp, Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau, and more. However, not all reviews and testimonials are created equal, and in fact, some may be fake and bought by the company. To help you determine if a comment is accurate, the Federal Trade Commission recommends you see if the reviewer has written anything for other businesses and when the review was posted. Furthermore, it's best to take comments with a grain of salt since not all reviews are written with the best intentions.
Experience
One thing to keep in mind before hiring a professional pest control service is the amount of experience the technician or business has. Most people complete the required training to become a qualified pest control technician in an average of three months, depending on the specific requirements in their state, via Monster. As such, the rate for a tech that just started their career versus one with many years of knowledge may differ.
Furthermore, the company's experience also lets you gauge whether a company can take on the type of pest you want to get rid of. For example, if a business is primarily dedicated to exterminating mice and rats, they may not be the best fit for a job requiring removing gophers from your yard or bedbugs from your home. Experience can also impact a technician's techniques to eliminate and manage pests. So, do your due diligence and ensure the company you hire is right for the job.
Warranty and Guarantee
It's always best to ensure the pest control company you want has a warranty and guarantee. Doing so can save you money since ongoing treatment may be administered at no cost if the pests return within a specific timeframe. After all, you don't want to spend money on another business after only a month of the initial treatment. Moreover, a guarantee protects your investment against difficult-to-remove bugs and animals, including termites, rats, and cockroaches, that may continue to enter your home despite the treatment. Aztec Organic Pest Control also states that there are many exceptions to pest control warranties and guarantees.
Keep in mind that some pest control businesses may only offer warranties on the type of service you pay for. For example, if you paid for the removal of ants, the exterminator will only provide a warranty if the ants return, but not for other insects. This guarantee also ensures that the job is done right the first time, and if it's not, re-treatment is typically covered.