No one wants pests in their home. Whether it’s ants, roaches, mice, mosquitoes, bed bugs, termites, or rats moving in—they’re all unwelcome.
The best pest control companies can help you deal with any pest, but how do you choose which company you want to come into your home and get the job done? You can’t base your decision on cute logos (i.e., a rat in a hat) or catchy marketing tactics.
To help you sort through the process of selecting the right residential pest control specialists, we’ve put together a few helpful tips. Use them as a checklist to make sure you hire someone who can get rid of pests for good.
Word of Mouth
If you’re experiencing a termite infestation, it’s likely you know someone who has experienced the same problem.
Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find referrals.
If that doesn’t work, expand your search area and see what people on social media have to say. Whether it’s a response on Facebook or the latest online review site, you’ll find a wealth of information (both positive and negative).
Whether you ask for a referral from a friend or prefer to browse reviews on social media, paying attention to what current and former customers think about a business should play a role in your decision.
Consider Value Over Price
Most people looking for pest control services focus on price. Instead of focusing on your wallet first, consider the value each pest control company offers.
Think about it this way: You have a problem—pests. They have a solution—extermination.
The value to you is a pest-free home, which is healthier and less stressful. Where would you be without those products and services?
That said, pest control companies are not all created equal. They don’t offer the same level of quality of service. Look for the company that promises to eliminate your mice infestation—pronto—and provides additional services to ensure the mice don’t return.
It’s not that price doesn’t matter, but if it’s your sole focus, you’ll miss out on some of the best pest control companies in your area. And you may pay double when the cheaper company doesn’t get the job done.
Ask How They Handle Emergency Service Calls
While it’s true that some insects and rodents just show up unannounced, most infestations don’t pop up overnight. In most cases, there’s evidence early on. Think roach droppings. They resemble coffee grounds or black pepper.
Suppose you see that in your cupboards, especially those where you don’t store food, you should suspect a pest problem. The same goes for droppings left behind by other pests.
Calling for help when you notice the evidence prevents the infestation from growing, but it’s not usually an emergency. You can wait a few days for service.
On the other hand, discovering wasps, certain species of spiders, or rats demands immediate help. You don’t want to play around with pests that sting, bite, or worse.
Some residential pest control companies can send a technician out right away. Others can’t offer emergency assistance.
Look for one that can accommodate you within a reasonable amount of time, preferably ASAP!
Do They Customize Treatment Plans?
There are a variety of ways companies differentiate themselves from the competition. The best pest control companies offer discounts, coupons, and other special promotions.
Look for a company that customizes treatment plans to meet your unique needs.
If you’re only interested in targeting ants, you might not want a package that covers a bunch of other household pests, no matter how common they are. Ask prospective extermination services whether they offer packages or specialized treatments.
Get the Details
When you need to hire a pest control company, you should understand what they include in your service and what they don’t offer. Does the technician come through and spray for pests, then leave?
A high-quality service starts with an evaluation to identify what pests you have, but even more critical is their assessment of how pests are getting into your home. Next, they should address the current environment in your home and how it could offer an invitation for future infestations.
Also, ask how they ensure you no longer have a welcoming atmosphere for pests after extermination. Will they whisk away the cobwebs? What about destroying nests?
It all matters when it comes to making sure pests don’t come back.
What Happens if Pests Return?
So far, we’ve talked about using word of mouth, evaluating the quality of service, emergency service, treatment plans to fit your needs, and looking at value first, then price. What we haven’t discussed is what happens when your pesty guests come back.
This section addresses something that means the difference between a one-time visit and a long-term business relationship. Warranties!
You’ll find that most pest control companies offer some kind of warranty or guarantee.
The best guarantees assure you that the company will come out and retreat target areas at no charge if you discover a re-infestation. Keep in mind that pest control is just that — control. To guarantee you won’t have pests coming back over and over, you’ll need to keep up with regular treatments.
Contact One of Oregon’s Best Pest Control Companies
Following our tips should make it easier for you to secure your home against pest infestations by hiring a reputable company to get rid of your unwelcome visitors. Here at Altus Pest Control, we stand behind our reputation as one of the best pest control companies in the state of Oregon.
Contact us today and schedule a free pest inspection. You’ll be glad you did!
