When pests invade your home, it's essential to act swiftly and choose a reliable pest control company. However, with many options available and plenty of horror stories, choosing the right company can be tough. Don’t worry, we have you covered! Below is a complete guide for what to look for and questions to ask when choosing a pest control company.
Technician Training and Qualifications
This Is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider! While you may be paying the company to perform a service, the technician is the one who will be doing the treatment. Well-trained technicians are more likely to provide effective and safe pest control solutions. There is nothing wrong with having an inexperienced technician, as long as the company has provided proper training and resources to solve your problems. Far too many companies, including the big ones, throw technicians to the wolves with little to no training. An improperly trained employee could make your pest problem worse and will typically lead to higher turnover within the company leaving you to deal with a new technician every service visit. Just because the company claims they offer great training, doesn’t mean it’s always true. Ask for certifications of classes or courses the employee has taken. Ask about the training process and what it entails. If the representative doesn’t know what the training process is or doesn’t sound confident in their answer, it's probably because there isn’t a training process.
Customer Communication
Evaluate the company's communication style. A reliable pest control company should be responsive, provide clear information, and address any concerns or questions you may have. A customer service-oriented company will offer multiple ways to communicate via text, email or calling the office. Nothing is worse than waiting on hold listening to horrible music, only to get transferred and never have your problem solved because “the manager is in a meeting.” Customers are the lifeline of any pest control business, and everyone should be treated like a VIP. When a customer is calling for help, you need answers now, not tomorrow.
Services Plans
Be wary of companies that offer significantly lower prices without clear explanations. A company should provide you a written or emailed service agreement detailing the pests your plan covers, and a description of how they will perform your service. This should also include the pests that aren’t covered by your service plan. Understand the range of services the company provides. Some pest control companies specialize in specific pests or use particular techniques. Ensure they offer services tailored to your specific pest problem. When choosing a pest plan, make sure there are no hidden fees down the road in case a new issue arises. For example, a pest control plan may cover spiders, but not Brown Recluse spiders. Some plans may cover mice, while others will charge you extra when you start seeing mice this winter and ask for help. Of course, quality mouse control is certainly not cheap for the company. They may need to charge extra to make up for the equipment cost, but you still need to know your service plan so this isn’t an unexpected cost later. While cost is an important factor, it should not be the only factor you consider. Remember, it costs less to do it right the first time.
Licensing and Insurance
Check to see if the company is licensed and insured to operate in your state. This ensures that they adhere to industry standards and regulations, as well as having the knowledge to tackle your pest problem. In Kentucky, a company cannot operate without passing a comprehensive written and pest identification test. With many “fly by night” companies out there, verifying they have the appropriate insurance is a must! This prevents you, the customer from being liable for any damages they may cause. These damages could include staining the carpet, breaking your personal belongings, or causing accidental property damage.
Safety Measures
Inquire about the safety measures taken during pest control treatments, especially if you have children or pets. Reputable companies use products that are tested and approved by the Environmental Protective Agency and the Department of Agriculture. These products are designed to target specific pests while posing minimal risk to humans and pets. Always ask your pest control provider about the products they use and their safety measures. Some companies will even have environmentally friendly service plans to choose from. These plans focus on using eco-friendly pesticides as a last resort while maintaining a system which utilizes monitoring and reducing conducive conditions to reduce or eliminate pest populations.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices
Choose a company that follows Integrated Pest Management practices. An IPM based company will focus on providing a top-notch inspection before treating your home. Simply “Spraying and Praying” is not the answer and rarely solves the problem. You the customer could purchase a spray can from the grocery store and do this yourself. This inspection is designed to find the root of the pest problem and taking the time to educate the customer on how they can prevent this from happening again. For example, you call in with an ant problem in the kitchen. Company A comes in throws a little bait down, sprays everywhere and leaves within 20 minutes. If you're lucky, this solves the problem until a couple weeks later the ants are back. Company B comes in and performs an interior and exterior inspection. The technician follows the ant trail and flips over a landscape block to find the entire nest that is infiltrating your house. He then finds other sources that may be attracting ants to your home and advises you on how to eliminate them. The technician then performs a full pest service, and in most cases, your ant problem is solved for the season!
Selecting the right pest control company is crucial for protecting your home and family. By asking questions and taking into consideration the points made above, you can make an informed decision and ensure a pest-free living environment. Remember, taking the time to research and choose a reputable company pays off in the long run. A little research can go a long way in finding the right pest control company and avoiding costly mistakes. Below are some questions you should ask before signing up for service. This may seem like a lot of questions but remember, you are the one paying for the service. You, the customer, have a right to know the answers before committing to a service. Give us a call at (270)-000-0000 or fill out our contact form {here} and we will do an on-site consultation to address the issues.
Questions to ask a potential pest company:
1. How quickly can you respond to a pest control emergency?
2. What pests aren’t included in my service plan?
3. What safety measures do you take during pest control treatments?
4. Are your technicians trained and qualified? If so, can you provide proof or details?
6. Do you have the proper insurance coverage?
7. What guarantees or warranties do you offer? Note* a warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it.
8. Do you follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices?
9. Can you provide references or customer testimonials?
10. What is the full cost of the pest control service, and are there any additional fees?
11. How can I communicate with you for any questions or concerns?
12. Can you explain the treatment plan and process in detail?
13. Do you offer follow-up visits, and are they included in the initial cost?
14. What preventative measures do you recommend to avoid future pest problems?
15. Can you provide proof of your licensing and certification?
16. Do you have an online customer portal?
17. Am I signing a 1-year contract? If so, what are the cancellation fees?
