No homeowner wants to experience a pest infestation, but it’s not just the ick factor of mice scurrying around that they must worry about.
Pests like rodents and insects can trigger asthma and allergies or expose you to infectious ailments like Lyme disease and rabies. So, you’ll want to contact a pest control service provider at the first sign of trouble.
Are you interested in finding out how to find the right company to deal with your pest problems?
Continue reading to see 13 questions you need to ask when seeking a local pest control company.
1. What Signs of Infestation Should I Look For?
Other than seeing a lot of mice running around your kitchen or spiders spinning webs in your pantry, you might not know what signs to look out for.
When talking to service providers on the phone, ask them how to tell if you have an infestation. Different signs can raise red flags that should be investigated depending on the type of pests prevalent in your area.
A local pest control company can dispatch technicians to your home to assess the problem and identify telltale signs of household pests. You’ll want to know they understand what the problem is and what pest control options are best.
If you suspect there’s an infestation problem, don’t ignore it. The problem will only get worse if it isn’t nipped in the bud. So, the sooner you detect there’s an issue, the sooner you can find the best pest service to get things under control.
2. How Long Will Your Workers Be On My Property?
Whether you’re seeking Bradenton pest control service or Sarasota pest control service, you’ll want to know how long the technician will be at your home.
Asking this question is important because you want to ensure that the technician who services your home does a thorough job.
Before starting the appointment, the company should explain the process and approximately how long the pest control process should take. If the technician leaves almost as fast as they came, that’s a red flag.
Getting rid of pests takes a sustained effort. You don’t merely want to get rid of the problem — you want to do whatever it takes to ensure the pests don’t return. So, the technician must spend enough time on your property.
You can also ask questions while the technician is servicing your property. Doing so will help you understand what the process entails.
3. What Strategy Do You Have For My Pest Control Issue?
Once the pest control company assesses your property, it will devise a strategy to get things under management.
No two pest problems are the same. Tactics that might work for eliminating one type of pest might not work on another kind. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. The reality is that one size fits one.
A reputable pest control business will have the strategies, processes, and equipment needed to address your specific pest control needs.
It’ll send a technician to conduct an onsite assessment. The company’s findings will inform its pest control strategy for your property. It’ll also explain what products will be used and the effectiveness of these various solutions.
One thing to remember is that some of the solutions pest control companies employ, such as mice or rat poison, are more robust and effective than you can get at a home improvement store.
So, if you want effective and safe pest control solutions, your best bet is to contact a reputable local service provider.
4. What Service Options Do You Offer?
You’ll also want to ask about service options or service plans that are offered.
For instance, you can opt for monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly pest control services. It’ll make your life easier if you choose a plan that works for you.
One misconception is that pest control is a one-and-done affair. The reality is that the pests on the outside will always try to make their way on the inside.
So, find a pest control services provider to help keep your home pest-free.
Don’t be shy about asking for a recommendation about the right service plan for you. The service provider will consider your pest control needs and give you the information you need to make an informed choice.
5. Do You Offer a Guarantee for Services Provided?
Another question you’ll want to ask is whether or not the service provider offers guarantees. It should stand behind its work and give you peace of mind knowing you’re not left high and dry if the problem persists.
A reputable company will offer an iron-clad guarantee that it will return to your property if you see any bugs after its service call treatment.
In severe infestation situations, the need for follow-up visits is not unheard of. You’ll want to work with a company that will dispatch technicians promptly to ensure that you get the results you paid for.
Ensure you get any guarantees in writing. You’ll want to know what’s guaranteed, how long the guarantee lasts, and other particulars.
6. What Steps Can I Take to Prevent Problems?
It’s also important to ask about things you can do to prevent problems from reemerging.
As a homeowner, you or your family members may have habits contributing to the pest issue. Asking for tips can help.
For instance, if you need help with a rodent infestation, you can take certain steps to reduce the odds of being overrun by mice or rats ever again.
One way you can help your cause is by trimming your lawn correctly. Rodents don’t like to be out in the open since they’re terrified of being preyed upon, so they enjoy the cover of tall grass.
If you cut your grass regularly, you can deter rodents from making the trek toward your home. Another tip is to avoid leaving garbage bags at the curb overnight. Put the garbage bags out early on the morning of pick-up day.
You can bet that the pest control technician who services your home can provide you with recommendations to keep your property pest-free.
7. How Do I Keep My Pets Safe?
If you have dogs, cats, or other pets, you’ll want pet safe pest control service.
It makes sense to ask the service provider you’re dealing with about how you can ensure that the solutions used to eliminate pests don’t harm your pets. Animals are curious, so you need to take measures to protect them.
A reputable pest control company will ensure that the products it uses to eliminate pests are placed in containers that dogs, cats, and other pets won’t be able to get into. So, your pets will be safe.
If you have any specific questions and need to be reassured, ask the local pest control company you contact. You’ll see that you won’t have to choose between getting rid of pests and keeping your pets safe and sound.
8. How Do Previous Customers Rate You?
You should also ask service providers about how their customers rate their service.
The good news is you don’t have to rely solely on the service providers. You can go online and check out reviews on Google, for instance. Read a bunch of reviews and observe the average overall rating.
You can often get a good overview of a service provider simply by combing over the reviews left by satisfied or dissatisfied customers.
Looking at online reviews for local service providers is also a good idea if you’ve been googling search terms like “pest control near me,” “guaranteed pest control,” or “rodent control near me.”
You’ll learn about service providers servicing homeowners in your community. That’ll make it easier if you need a pest control service provider but need help finding companies in your neck of the woods.
Another way to find out how previous customers rate any service providers you’re considering is by asking people you know. You probably know homeowners who’ve had to book appointments with pest control companies.
Ask these people about who they hired, how they feel about the service, and whether they would recommend the companies they hired.
9. How Long Have You Been in Business?
Find out how long the local pest control business you’re considering has been in operation.
It’s best to avoid a company that has only been around for a short time. You’ll find it more difficult to unearth information about such a business. So, you’ll be rolling dice, and that’s not what you want if you have pests running amok.
Find a company with a long track record of success helping homeowners in the area.
Your odds of having a good experience will go up if you work with a company that has been in business for a while. It should have roots in the community.
If you can’t find the information you seek on the service provider’s website, pick up the phone and call. A reputable pest control company will answer your questions without hesitation.
10. Do You Have Appropriate Licensing Credentials?
Don’t work with any business, pest control or otherwise, that can’t show you proof of licensing. Appropriate licensing will demonstrate the business is operating legally, which is something you should insist on as a homeowner.
It should also have the right certifications applicable to the pest control space. Any business you hire should also be bonded and have the right insurance policies, such as worker’s compensation and professional liability coverage.
While companies offering pest control services will usually have the credentials to do so, it’s still a good idea to ask so that you’re absolutely sure.
11. How Much Training Do Your Workers Get?
You should also ask about the level of training the technicians serving customers receive from the company. Using the right products is one thing — but knowing how to use these products effectively is another thing entirely.
So, ask the company about its training methods to ensure you get qualified help.
12. Will You Stand Behind Your Quote?
No customer wants to be surprised when they get their invoice at the end of a service call. When you contact pest control companies to find out how much they charge, you’ll want to know how binding the quotes you get are.
If the company comes to your home to assess the situation before giving a quote, you can be reasonably sure the quote will be binding. This is because an onsite visit will allow the technician to provide an accurate quote.
However, if you’re given a quote over the phone, you might find that the final bill is higher. When the technician comes to provide the service, they might find other issues they were not previously privy to.
At any rate, the technician will explain the situation to you and give you the choice of accepting or declining extra services.
13. Will I Have to Leave My Home During the Treatment?
Sometimes the chemicals needed during the pest control treatment require you and yours to leave your home.
If this is the case, the technician at the pest control company will let you know how long you can expect to remain off your property.
We Can Fill Your Local Pest Control Needs
Are you having issues with pests in your home? If so, you can appreciate how distressing it can be. You don’t have to accept the status quote, however.
For the local pest control help you need, contact us at Prodigy Pest Solutions. We’ve been in the industry for seven years and have a reputation for offering quality service and stellar results in Florida.
Get in touch for a quote. We’ll eliminate the pests invading your home so you get your house back.