Things to consider when trying to find a good Exterminator.

A pest problem can be a huge hassle to eliminate, and despite what some people believe, that regular cleaning of the home will help prevent pest infestation, this is not the case for all pest infestations, pest like bats, bees, spiders, termites, can find a way into your home, and quickly multiply inside your home.

Pest control companies vary significantly in the quality of the services they offer and the prices they charge. It can be expensive to get rid of a pest, particularly if you have a severe infestation, and an exterminators may not be able to guarantee success after a pest control service.

You should do your research in advance to ensure that you do not end up hiring a pest control company that will charge you a lot more than their services are worth. Having a general idea of what a fair price is for your pest infestation, can help in avoiding over paying for your pest control issue.

Steps to take.

If you suspect you have a severe pest infestation, do not be tempted to hire the first pest control company that you speak to about your pest issue. Instead, find a company that is the right fit for your pest control need. Try contacting 3 companies and have them do an inspection.

One of the first things you should do is google the reputation of the company you are considering. As is the case with service companies in many industries, not just pest control, there are inferior companies out there that will mask themselves as good companies . Look at how the company’s reviews compare to the reviews for other local pest control companies.

Another option is to ask, friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, about what pest control company they used in the past and whether or not they were satisfy with the service they received.

Below are some additional tips to find a good exterminator.

• Check for licenses and insurance, they are usually available online on the company’s website, or you can ask the pest control company.
• Next, ask how they charge for their services. Before you sign a contract, check if all of the fees are itemized. Also, check if follow-ups are in the contract.
• Ask them for treatment recommendations and what is the best option for you. Also, ask them for a clear timeline and what the process will look like.
• A good exterminator will also help you understand what a successful pest treatment will look like, and signs that indicate additional treatment is needed. They will happily answer all your questions including how the treatment will affect your family and pets, how long you need to stay away from your home, etc.

Understand the cost involved with your particular pest infestation.

Some companies will charge significantly more for the same job than others. If the company you are considering is charging more than usual, you should know why. Don’t pay extra unless there is something special about their services or reputation. At the same time, if the company you are considering is suspiciously cheap, double-check their reputation. The price you pay should be based on the value you are getting

Also, a cheap service is not automatically an indication of a rip off, but you must understand why it cheap. Sometimes, an exceptionally affordable company might be new to the business and, therefore, willing to work for less than a standard rate. Such a company might be as good as more established companies.

Internet reviews can sometimes be misleading and could make it sound like a company is terrible due to a few unsatisfied customers posting angry negative reviews. However, checking the reputation online is an excellent place to start. You should read the content of the reviews to see if the reviewers are consistently saying the same thing

Is the pest control company is properly licensed?

The last sort of company you want to trust is a company that does not even have a license to do what they do. All kinds of things can go wrong if you hire a company that is not even operating legally. Pest control companies work with dangerous chemicals, and can potentially damage your home if they don’t know what they are doing. See a list of licensed pest control companies near you.

Things to avoid when looking for a pest control company.

Avoid pest control as part of a package of home improvement services

You should pay for the services of a company that is specifically interested in pest control. Some home maintenance companies will offer to do repairs and improvements with pest control as part of the package. When a company provides pest control as part of a bundle of services, the pest control may be of low quality.

Notice suspicious behavior.

Never hire a company that does not have a proper address and phone number. A phone number that doesn’t work is just as bad.

If a company tell you there is an insect problem in your neighborhood, even though you have never heard of such a problem, make sure you verify that with your neighbours, and ask the company for proof that they have been offering services to others in your neighborhood. They might be trying to scam you into a service you don’t need.

Some unethical pest control companies also try to scam people by being unclear about how much they are going to charge and then charging an absurd amount of money with unnecessary add on services. They should tell you upfront what the entire job will cost and detail what specifically they will be performing.

Scammers may also give fake names of agencies that have authorized their services. Federal agencies never approve the services of an exterminator. In some states, an exterminator may have a license from the state, but never from a federal agency. Any pest control company that claims to be licensed by either the Environmental Protection Agency or the United States Departments of Agriculture is looking to commit fraud. The chemicals used in pesticides are reviewed by the EPA and by the USDA, but those agencies do not endorse an exterminator’s services.

Routine treatment is not always required or necessary.

Only a home or business that is particularly vulnerable to pests, and that keep having a recurring issue with pest, might need to be treated on a regular schedule. Also, it will depend on whether the area that the the property is located in, is known for a particular pest infestation. The type of pest that is being treated can also be a factor. For example, if an area is know to have mosquitos, then regular spraying might be needed. Another example could be termites which might require a bait station that needs to be regularly monitored. A pest control company should not offer a contract for regular treatment unless you have a pest problem that has returned many times. Don’t sign a contract for multiple visits unless you are going to need these follow up visits.

What questions should you ask a pest control company?

More than anything else, get a few different quotes from a few different companies. One of the companies will offer you a better than average price even though there is nothing wrong with the quality of their services.

Ensuring you ask the right questions will help you avoid falling into the hands of the wrong company. in additions to the ensuring that the exterminator is licensed and in good standing in your state, we list a few additional questions that you should ask below:

• Ask how much the pest control services will cost – After a pest control company’s initial inspection, they should be able to give you a clear answer as to how much the extermination service will cost
• How long will the service take and will you need to leave the house – For some treatment, due to the chemical used, it might be necessary for you and your pets if you have any, to stay away from your property for a period ranging from few hrs. to few days. So it’s important that the company the you are looking to hire is reliable and will adhere to a schedule to lessen the inconvenience to you
• Ask about how many treatment will be needed- In some cases the exterminator should be able to tell you up front if you will need more that one visit based on the type of pest and level of infestation
• Make sure they clearly explain any contract that they want you to sign – Before you sign any paper, understand the content. Ask if the company will provide you with a written contract that will also list out the chemical that will be used, along with the breakdown of the cost for the service. If you are signing up for a subscription plan, make sure you understand the cancellation policy

More than anything else, if you have a severe infestation, ensure that you get a quote from a few different companies, and focus on other important aspect such as customer service etc.. and not just the cost.