5 Questions to Ask Your Pest Control Company

 

5 Questions to Ask Your Pest Control Company

1. What are Your Qualifications? 

Unfortunately, ‘Joe Shmoe’ on Craigslist, while cheap, probably isn’t the best choice to help you with a pest infestation. Licensed, trained professionals have the proper tools and expertise to provide you with safe and effective services. By employing the help of professionals, you reduce risks to your health and safety that can result from continued infestations or DIY attempts, eliminate problems at their source (as opposed to many store-bought solutions that just “put a band-aid” on the problem), and even save a significant amount of money in the long run.

2. Are Your Treatments Safe?

This is one of the most important factors in selecting a pest control company. The last thing you want is to remove the health and safety risks that pests pose only to replace it with the risks of dangerous, toxic chemicals. Toxic chemicals such as arsenic were being used in pest control techniques dating back even into the 1600’s and, by the mid 1800’s, pesticides began to be formulated, marketed, and sold. Thankfully, today pest control is vastly safer than it was in the past, but it is still very wise to ask what will be used in and around your home. Many companies, ourselves included, use EcoSMART technologies and EPA-approved products that are safe for both humans and the environment, yet effectively handle all types of pest infestations, and place a precedence on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a strategy utilized by pest control companies focusing on eco-friendly control methods with a precedence on prevention. Many companies that incorporate IPM will offer services such as exclusions, where small cracks and holes are filled to seal your home against pests, and consultations where you receive one on one guidance on how you can help reduce pests for your unique situation. However, it is important to note that not every company using IPM is, in fact, employing environmentally friendly solutions and instead use synthetic pesticides under the guise of IPM. When implemented correctly, IPM drastically reduces and can even completely eliminate the use of pesticides, resulting in less exposure to harmful pest control products for both you and the environment, as well as minimizing the amount of products that need to be used overall by 90%.

3. How Often are Your Treatments Done?

The frequency of pest control services is usually tightly linked with the type of pest issue that is being treated. Some pests need continuous treatments in order to end or prevent an infestation, while others can sometimes be completed in one simple treatment. Different frequencies of pest control typically fall under the following categories:

• One-Time Service – These treatments are only typically done for specific issues such as the removal of a wasp nest or bed bug extermination, which can be successfully completed with one service. The prices on these treatments can vary drastically (from $200-$7,000) depending on which pest is being dealt with, the severity of the infestation, and more.
• Monthly Plan – While pest control companies don’t typically treat on a monthly basis, some do operate the billing schedule for Quarterly Treatments on a monthly schedule
• Bi-Monthly Services – These services are typically offered for particularly difficult to eliminate pests such as cockroaches that require more consistent treatments to eliminate them.
• Quarterly Services – This is not only the most common but also the most effective pest control frequency plan. In a customer’s first year with such services, there are typically 5 services that take place, while all following years consist of 4 maintenance treatments a year with free follow-ups in between if needed.
• Seasonal Services – This primarily refers to mosquito treatments as these are typically only done during the summer months and early fall.

Different pest control companies offer different packages and frequencies, so it’s always helpful to ask questions about what is offered and why.

4. How Much Do Pest Control Treatments Cost?

Pest control prices can vary drastically based on several different factors, the primary of which are the frequency of services (as explained above) and the type of services being provided due to the pest issue. Sites like HomeGuide.com and HomeAdvisor.com cite the national averages per visit for quarterly and seasonal services to be about $170, or within the range of $100 to $270. If charged monthly, this breaks down to about $60 per month. No matter which way the payment plan is arranged, the total for yearly services averages about $740 per year, and some companies (Pointe included!) will offer a discount for any customers who pay in full for a year. However, these averages are not always true. The type of pest that is being treated, the quality of the products and tools that are being used, the square footage of the area that is being treated, and the technician’s knowledge, expertise, and licensing can all factor into the prices you are quoted. As such, the old adage “you pay for what you get,” very much rings true within the pest control industry.

5. How Long do Treatments Last?

Different treatments can have different longevity as they are used for varying purposes. The longevity of each kind of treatment is also a result of the quality of the products used and sometimes there are other factors that can contribute to how the product fairs over time such as particularly inclement weather. Reputable companies will be transparent with the estimated longevity of each treatment and will typically offer free re-services in between scheduled treatments if pest activity continues.

Taking the Next Steps…

If you have any further questions regarding pest control services and how professional intervention can help you and your pest problem, contact us anytime. Our knowledgeable representatives are standing by to answer all your questions and help you find a solution that works for you.