What questions should I ask a pest control company?
Many homeowners do not consider pest treatment until they notice evidence of insects or rodents. Pests may spread disease and cause damage to your house and property, making this a difficult and stressful time.
There are times when a pest control situation becomes too large or difficult to handle on your own. If you have a pest infestation, you can’t just hire anyone who claims to undertake pest control services, you will need to contact a highly experienced, specialist company to assist in tackling the safe removal of the pests.
Before hiring an exterminator, the first step to take is to call and ask the right questions to ensure you obtain the necessary information to make an informed decision about your pest situation. Choosing a pest control company that will perform the job correctly and stand behind their work is worth the initial research effort in the long run.
In today’s article, we’ll go through the questions you should ask any exterminator or pest control business you’re considering hiring.
How Long Has Your Company Been In Business?
The pest control business must have the necessary skills, talent, and experience to do the work.
Pest control and extermination are challenging tasks. Technicians must comprehend not only the specific pest but also the environment in which they will be operating.
Pests may return sooner rather than later if quick and ineffective treatments are used. Hiring a pest control company with experienced experts allows you to benefit from their local expertise as well as their competence.
A well-established company will have been in operation for a long time, and the owners will stand behind their work. Consider it a red flag if the pest control company’s management or workers refuse to tell you about the specialists’ training. Be especially wary of new companies or those with inexperienced technicians. Don’t be scared to ask questions.
You must feel at ease and well-informed about the service you are going to require. Pest treatment may be costly, and you want to ensure you get the most value for money and long term solution when it comes to pest control.
Do Your Exterminators Have A License And Insurance?
People who work in pest control must have a license to operate. The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) also ensures regulatory compliance of the use of pesticides to ensure human health and the environment are protected from pollution and waste.
This is important to remember when deciding which pest control business to employ since exterminators must understand safety practices, application methods, and cleaning processes to offer you the finest and safest service.
The pest treatment company you wish to engage in should be insured in a variety of ways, including professional liability insurance and general liability insurance.
The company should also be able to answer any questions you have about licensing and insurance. They may try to convince you that you do not need insurance. However, if something goes wrong, you might be left with a costly price and a pest-infested house — or worse.
Where Can I Find Your Company’s Testimonials Or Reviews?
Any respectable pest control business should be able to provide you with links to online customer reviews. They should have Facebook reviews, website reviews, and perhaps video testimonials.
Trustworthy and competent companies should also have Google Reviews. This type of acknowledgement will let you know that they are doing a great job.
You don’t want just anyone coming into your house. You should research their reputation before allowing them to spray chemicals or fumigate. They should gladly supply you with client testimonials and references. If they are hesitant to give you recommendations or at the very least testimonials, you should look for another company.
Do You Offer Written Quotes – And Will You Stand By Them?
Companies that do not offer this often have a poor reputation, and an online search should disclose any negative feedback.
If the reviews state that they shocked the reviewer with hidden costs or told them that there was more work than expected halfway through the task, you should assume that this company will charge you more than stated and seek out a more reputable company.
Also, do not take an online or over the phone quote at face value. These can be misleading as they are basing the pricing of your information and assumptions.
Instead, contact a company that will send a specialist to your home to examine the area of concern. They will be able to give you a written quotation for the service once they have assessed the degree of the infestation.
This is the amount you should pay when the service is finished unless there are mitigating circumstances. Any company that does not have this procedure in place should not be hired to complete the job.
Can You Pinpoint The Origin Of The Infestation?
This is another key question you should ask the exterminators when they inspect your house. A competent pest control specialist should know how termites reproduce, where rats like to hide, and what cockroaches like to eat.
This means they’ll be able to identify the root of the problem and recommend the best course of action for fixing it. Getting rid of visible pests only is not a long-term solution.
Knowing the origins of some pests might help determine whether additional pests are likely to be in the region and the likelihood of an infestation of any other variety in your house as well.
If the exterminator informs you that they don’t know where the bugs are coming from or appear to be guessing, this might suggest that they’re inexperienced. So, request that they conduct further research or, you may wish to seek a second opinion.
Because a pest control service is intended to provide a long-term remedy, identifying the root of the infestation is crucial.
Are The Pesticides You Use Harmful For People, Animals, And Plants?
The pest control team’s products must be safe for humans and your home’s other living animals. Hire an exterminator who utilises eco-friendly solutions derived from plants or other natural sources, if feasible. You don’t want to expose your children, pets, or elderly relatives to potentially dangerous chemicals unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Inquire with the technician about the products’ danger or toxicity. If you have any questions, you should obtain the names of the items used by the pest control agency and conduct your own research.
Many pesticides are safe for humans, but unfortunately, certain pesticides may be highly hazardous to animals. If you have pets, you must provide this information to any pest control company you are contemplating employing.
You should disclose the kind of animals you own so that the pest control company can devise a plan to keep your cherished pets safe. They should also inform you whether or not you will be required to leave your house during treatment.
Some treatments may have a strong odour that dissipates over time, others may be odourless. It should be noted, however, that even products with no strong odours might be hazardous for a period of time and, remaining a certain distance from your home throughout the treatment duration, and for a period of time post-treatment may be advised. As a precaution, ask your pest control service provider as many questions as possible ahead of time.
Will You Keep A Close Eye On The Situation After Treatment?
The length of time your residence will be pest-free will vary depending on the type of pest and the treatment employed. The climate, how you utilise the product, and the general environment can all have an impact on the treatment’s efficacy. As a result, pest treatment businesses will frequently provide a guarantee agreement.
The best companies go above and beyond and keep in touch with you. They will look for new pests while treating the current problem, provide advice on how to avoid reinfestation, and arrange a yearly inspection.
Even though your initial contact with the company will be when you have a pest problem, pest control is about continuous maintenance, not simply a one-time treatment. Keep this in mind when you decide which pest control company to engage.
Conclusion
Pest control is far too important a job to leave to just any company. So, before you hand over your money, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask tough questions.
A dedicated specialist is concerned with their clients’ long-term safety and wellbeing. A reputable pest control company communicates, educates, and offers beneficial ideas and practices for not just the pest they are treating, but also for prevention and long term safety and assurance.
Following termite treatment, the premises must be inspected yearly to verify colony management is in order and there is no sign of unexplained termite activity.
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