Mice, ants, termites, bedbugs, cockroaches, and countless other critters—they're fine when they're in their own homes. But once they're in yours, they can threaten your health and property.
If you're concerned you may have some unwelcome pests, the first step is to get information. Look for reliable sources, including Web sites that university extension services and state departments of public health or agriculture offer.
If you can nab a pest, all the better. "Just make sure you've got it right," says Curt Colwell, Ph.D., an entomologist with the Illinois Department of Public Health in Springfield. "If you can identify it and it turns out to be a pest that requires some action to control, you can get good control advice from those same groups," he says.
Identifying the pest is a lot like visiting the doctor—for effective treatment, you first need to correctly diagnose the problem. Without knowing the pest's identity, characteristics, and activity levels, you run the risk of blindly applying control measures that can be costly and ineffective.
There are more than 18,000 pest control companies in the U.S. If you have evidence of a pest infestation and you don't know what to do, that might be the right time to contact one, says Colwell.
"If you don't have time to inspect your house to find out where a pest is and what it's doing there, and you don't have time to learn what specific methods you can use to control it—or to apply those methods—then forget about doing it yourself," Colwell says. If you're not confident about your ability to work with traps, pesticides, and other devices—that's another signal that you should hire a professional.
When choosing pest control companies, ask to see the company's license, and ask them if they're members of a local, state, or national pest control association, says Cindy Mannes, public affairs director of the National Pest Management Association in Fairfax, Va. NPMA is a trade group of more than 6,000 national and international pest management companies commonly known as pest management professionals. All pest control companies must be licensed at the state level, she says.
Word-of-mouth is a good way to find a reputable company. But don't rely too heavily on company-provided customer testimonials. "What satisfies one person is a friendly guy who comes in once a month, chats with you, and sprays all your rooms," says Colwell. "That doesn't mean you're getting good pest control service." It's best to find someone whose judgment you trust.
Don't be impressed by how long a pest control company has been in business. By itself, it doesn't mean that much. It's more important to look at the expertise of whom you'll be working with. "What's important is the quality of service provided by the individual the company sends to your house," says Colwell, and that can vary considerably between companies and even among individuals with the same company. "Employee turnover can be quite high for some companies, so your service may be rendered by someone who's been on the job for only a couple days, or by someone who's been there for a couple of decades," says Colwell.
Many pest control companies offer no-charge inspections. A free inspection also means you'll meet with the inspector you might be working with to solve your pest predicament. Don't be afraid to contact more than one company, too. "They vary—it's to your advantage to get more than one opinion," says Colwell. "Do whatever you can do to increase the odds of getting your problem solved adequately."
Avoid hiring a pest control company based on low price, say experts. "Look at value, not price," says Mannes. "This is your home you're talking about—for most of us, it's our most important investment. If you have a termite infestation, and you get quotes of $200, $700, and $1,000, I'd be leery of the firm that quotes $200."
When the inspector arrives, ask questions—think of it as a combination house call and job interview. Some questions to ask:
Before you sign a contract, make sure you understand the nature of the pest, the extent of the infestation, and what work will be necessary to solve the problem. Ask if the company has liability insurance to cover any damage to your house or furnishings during treatment.
Pest control companies vary in their guarantees. If one is offered, know what it covers, how long it lasts, and what kind of prevention and management are necessary. Homeowners need to be active participants and realize that a guarantee is a two-way street, says Mannes. For example, if a pest control company treats the soil around the perimeter of your property and you then put a deck in your backyard that changes the soil conditions, you have a responsibility to tell the pest control company.
Colwell's advice: Listen to what the company proposes to do about your pest problem. If you're satisfied, make sure the technician it sends does what the company promised.
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