A guide to getting the right pest control done
Having pests at home or in the garden is uncomfortable, unhygienic, and unsafe for you and your family. They can contaminate food and water, spoil the plants, and spread many diseases. Some pests may also destroy wooden furniture, damage clothes, and books and scatter droppings around the property. While you may take all preventive measures such as regular maintenance and proper sanitation, certain pests may still infest your property and can be difficult to control. This is when professional pest management or control services can come in handy. Here’s a detailed on getting the right pest control services for your house.
Types of pest control services
The type of service you hire to kill pests will depend on where they are, here are some examples:
- For gardens and crop fields
They services required for such pest control are- Biological pest control
This method is used for controlling pests, such as mites and insects with the use of other organisms. It usually relies on parasitism, predation, and other natural techniques along with an effective human management role. In this method, the natural enemies of the pest are bred in the laboratory and then released in the infested area. For instance, to control mosquitoes, a bacterium that kills the mosquito larvae is released in the local or nearby water sources.
- Biological pest control
This method uses hands-on techniques along with simple devices to create a protective barrier between the plants and insects. Also referred to as tillage, this method is commonly used for controlling weeds and pests.
In this method, pesticides are sprayed on the crops with the help of agricultural aircraft or crop sprayers. The professionals choose the right formulation and method of application for getting the best results. They also try to select pesticides that will cause minimum harm to the natural enemies of the target bug or insect.
Pest control services use a different approach for these structures, such as
- Physical pest control
In this method, pests such as rodents and insects are trapped and killed. Professionals also use pheromones and chemicals or ultraviolet light to kill the pests. Poisoned baits are commonly used for mice, rats, snails, cockroaches, etc. - Fumigation
This method is used for killing wood-boring beetles and other pests. The entire area is filled with gaseous pesticides to poison the pests. Fumigation is mostly used for controlling pests in buildings, grains, and soil. The infested area is fogged with liquid insecticide for 2-3 days and residents are not allowed to enter the house during the treatment. Although this method is costly and inconvenient, it is effective in eradicating different types of pests. - Insulation
This is a common method in which a pesticide called boron is infused into the paper fibers of cellulose insulation for killing self-grooming insects, such as cockroaches, ants, and termites. This insulation is added to the walls and attic of a home or commercial establishment for controlling the common pests. - Organic pest control
This natural method helps restrain the damage caused by insects and small animals while keeping the residents, plants, and pets safe. The professionals usually use baits, sprays, insecticidal soaps, and oils to eliminate the pests. - Electronic pest control
Professionals often use this method when rodents and insects are a problem. They use electromagnetic and ultrasonic sound waves to affect the nervous system of mice, rodents, insects, etc.
Tips for choosing a pest control service
There are many pest management and control companies in the country. So, make sure you do some research and choose a competent as well as cost-effective pest control service. Here are some tips to help you select the right one.
- Do your homework
If you notice pests in your house or garden, do not panic and hire a random service provider. Most pest issues can wait for a few days, so you can quickly do some research or ask your friends and neighbors for references. For starters, shortlist some companies and ask for cost estimates. - Talk to different service providers
Once you have shortlisted the companies, ask each service provider about the types of services they offer. Also, ask about the products they use and their credentials. A service provider that uses environmentally friendly and federally approved products is the best to work with. If you are looking for a company to do pest control at your home, do not choose one that uses chemical-based products and methods. The chemicals may be detrimental to the health of your loved ones and pets. - Check the company’s license and experience
Before finalizing a company, check its license and certificates. Many times, local pest controllers offer lower prices and promise quick services to lure customers. However, they may use low-quality materials that may be harmful to your loved ones and property. This is one of the most important points to keep in mind. You can trust a company with more experience to provide better quality work for your home or business. - Check customer reviews
Visit the websites of the shortlisted companies and check the customer reviews section to get an idea about their work. The reviews will also tell you how the companies treat their clients and their success rate. - Hire a certified applicator
You can either request the company to give you a copy of their business license or check for the same online. Before zeroing in on a service provider, ask for their credentials and the names of pesticides they will be using. You can also talk about the precautions they will take while using the pesticides. - Ask for a guarantee
Pest control should be done carefully to prevent the pests from coming back within a short duration of time. The service provider should identify the problem, decide on one or more procedures, and select the products for eliminating the pests. However, certain notorious pests, such as bed bugs recur after a few months. Therefore, the company should give a guarantee that in case the pest recurs within a year, they will eradicate them without any fee. - Compare the companies
Once you have shortlisted some companies, compare their credentials, services, and costs. Your selection must be based on your requirements and budget. Always go for a reliable and experienced company, even if you have to spend some extra dollars.
Benefits of pest control services
For infested homes or commercial establishments, take steps to get rid of the pests at the earliest to prevent any damage to your property and belongings. Different types of pests can attack your property and controlling them can be a pain. This is when pest control professionals can help. The advantages of hiring an experienced service provider are
- Expertise
A company offering these services has trained professionals who can easily eradicate different types of pests from your property. They have the right skills, knowledge, tools, and pesticides to handle an infestation. The professionals know how different types of pests behave and will take the right steps to deal with the problem. They will not only remove the pests but also destroy their breeding grounds and hiding areas to prevent the problem from recurring. - Personalized planning and safe removal
The professionals will look into the problem and create a personalized plan to eradicate the pests. They will consider the size of your home and the type and level of infestation to come up with the best solution. The professionals from an experienced company will also monitor your home thoroughly to ensure that every problem area is covered. - Cost-effective
While you may think of buying over-the-counter insecticides to get rid of pests from your property, it is not as easy as you think. If you do not know the pests you are dealing with and the extent of the infestation, you will end up wasting your time and money. Pest control professionals will identify the problem and choose the right products and treatment methods for safe and effective extermination. They will also have the necessary tools and expertise to identify and eradicate pests. - Safe use of pesticides
Professionals will choose the right pesticides and use them safely to ensure no harm is caused to you and your family. They have the training and experience to work with different types of pests the right way. Most companies are also trained and regulated by the local and state laws to ensure the safety of the residents and non-target animals from chemical exposure. Whether you have rats, insects, or bugs, trust a professional company to get rid of them. - Easy cleaning
Professionals will not only kill the pests, but also remove their droppings and other pest-related debris. They will clean and sanitize the space thoroughly to prevent infections and other health issues. Whether you have bed bugs, beetles, termites, spiders, ants, or cockroaches inside the house or insects and bugs in the garden, an experienced company can help.
Cost of pest control services
The cost of pest control services depends on various factors, such as pest type, frequency of service, property size, and product type. While you will have to pay less for getting rid of common household pests such as cockroaches, spiders, and ants, the cost of getting rid of rodents and termites is on the higher side.
The average costs of controlling different types of pests are as follows:
- Ant treatment cost at least $250
- Carpenter ant treatment starts at $500, including labor and repairs charges
- Initial cockroach treatment costs more than $300
- Treatment for bed bugs is $200-$400 per room
- Spiders treatment costs at least $200
- Treatment for fleas as well as ticks is $150-$300
- Rats and mice treatment comes at a starting price of around $300
- Carpet beetles treatment costs around $250 onward
- A termite inspection will cost $75-$150
- Termite control starts at $1000 for initial spray, excluding labor and repair charges
- Bee treatment costs $200-$500, excluding hive removal
- Treatment for bats costs $250-$500
- Wasp treatment comes at $200-$500, excluding hive removal
Costs are also based on the frequency of service
- One-time visit
You may have to pay somewhere between $300 and $500 for a one-time visit. The cost is on the higher side as the service provider will assess the situation carefully to find out how the pests are entering your property and the areas they have infested. - Initial visit
The initial visit may cost you around $200. This is the first visit as part of an ongoing contract. During this visit, the pest control professionals will try to figure out what the pest problems are. - Periodic visits
These visits may happen once in a month or two months. For monthly visits, the service provider may charge you somewhere around $40 to $45. A visit every two months may cost you $50 to $60, while the charges for quarterly visits are somewhere between $100 and $300. In case you notice a problem between the scheduled visits, the quarterly visit may also include free treatment.
Cost based on property size and product type
The cost of pest control services also depends on the size of your home or office and the products that are used. The bigger the area, the more you will have to pay. Also, you will have to shell out more money for eco-friendly products. The product cost also depends on the pest type.
To conclude, any kind of pest can be a serious menace to your house or garden. If you are troubled by pests, make sure you hire professional pest control services without any delay. An experienced pest control service will identify the trouble spots easily and quickly and use the right methods for exterminating pests without causing any harm to others.
