Choosing the right pest control company for your home is an important decision. But with so many different choices out there, how do you know which pest control is best? Is bigger always better? How much is pest control? If you break down the top five most important things to consider when choosing a pest control company, the decision tends to be easier. Here’s what to know for pest control, especially when it comes to choosing the company to use.
- Experience. How long has the company you’re considering been around? And not just around – how long have they been providing professional pest control? Nobody wants a fly-by-night company for anything, but one that is offering pest control can have some serious consequences. Using an inexperienced company can mean the pests you are trying to get rid of can either stick around longer than if you used the more experienced company first or they will just run from the treatment making them harder to reach – even with the right treatment. Much like DIY treatments, if it’s done wrong the first time, fixing the issue can take longer and be more costly than it would have initially been.
- Offerings. Do they offer more than just pest control services? They should know more than just how to get
Professional disinfectant rid of pests. Of course, services to get rid of bed bugs, roaches, ants, mice, termites, and mosquitoes are very important. A professional pest control company that is properly trained and certified to use pest control products should also be able to use disinfectants. The two products are regulated by the same agency, so if your pest control company is keeping up with their trainings and certifications, they should be able to offer that. Also, bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get a handle on. The pest company you choose should have several bed bug
control options including heat and canine detection for optimal success and early detection. They should also be able to provide you with a Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDIR). If you’re buying or selling a home or business, having a WDIR done is not only highly recommended, but some lending institutions require one before giving a mortgage to a potential buyer. Your pest control company should be able to provide one to you. - Local. Do they have a branch near you? Not only will be they able to get to you quickly should a pest emergency arise, but a local company knows the pests in the area. Their technicians and inspectors also live and work in the area so it’s their home, too. If your pest control company is so large that they have too many territories to worry about, what’s so special about yours? People care more about their own neighborhood. It’s only natural.
- Size. Unfortunately, it does matter. You don’t want a super large company where you can fall through the cracks, but with a small company, there may not be enough customer service representatives or technicians to take care of you like you deserve. It’s a “just right” situation just like Goldilocks had. Although let’s be honest – she was breaking and entering so her just right isn’t quite as important as yours. It’s all about balance. A medium-size company has the advantage of still having a family feel while also being able to provide more technology and better service. Plus, they will be able to keep track of their technicians and their training and certification levels easier than a large company can. In larger companies, employees tend to be just a number instead of a human being.
- Cost. You usually get what you pay for. Would you feel safe hiring the cheapest electrician? On the other side, you probably wouldn’t be happy if you hired the most expensive one either. Oftentimes, the cheapest is cheap for a reason – sometimes the reason could be they cut corners by not paying for the necessary licensing or certifications. It may be a money-saver, but it doesn’t do you any favors. And the more expensive option could just be gouging you. Everyone loves a deal, but you have to balance quality over quantity. What kind of service comes with the treatment you’re getting quoted? Scheduled seasonal services, free emergency calls, quick response times, fully trained technicians, and superb customer service all cost money, so the cheapest quote may be missing many of those important options. We can’t tell you what pest control should cost since it is dependent on the size of your home, what kind of pests you’re facing, and how many treatments are necessary, but we can tell you to lay out your options and make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. You can listen here for a look behind the curtain about how pest control companies measure their own worth.
These really are the top 5 things to consider when you’re looking to hire a pest control company at your home. But, remember to ask even the simplest questions like, “How does pest control work?”, “What is an exterminator?”, and “What do exterminators do?” The company you choose should be willing to work through those topics with you. Keeping your family members – including the furry ones – safe from pests is serious business. Choose a company that takes it as seriously as you do.