What are some tips when choosing a pest control professional? Professional pest control treatment is safe for children and pets, and the products used in treatment and length of time the service takes varies from company to company.
There are several ways to rid a home of pest and insects, but if you want the house to be treated properly, then the best advice would be to use a professional.
But how do we as consumers know which pest control professional to trust? A lot of it depends on your preference as a homeowner. If your are the type of homeowner that wants the bugs and insects destroyed immediately and by any means necessary, then just about any pest control company with a pump and spray system will work. But if you have children and pets that you are concerned may receive short or long term damage from the harmful pesticides that will be sprayed to remove the insects, then there are professionals out there to help you too.
No matter what company you choose, most pest control experts will tell you to always do research on the company first. Janis Reed has been the training director at ABC Pest and Lawn Service in Austin, Texas, for five years. ABC Pest and Lawn has been in the pest control business since 1949. Reed added that the first thing you should ask any professional who is providing a service to your home is whether or not he or she is licensed, bonded and insured.
"It depends on the company you choose," she said. "Anytime you call a professional service, whether it is a pest control company, a plumber, or an electrician, you need to make sure they're properly licensed, bonded and insured. It's kind of a major problem in a lot of industries."
"We're trying to crack down on it in ours," she added. "So that is my first advice to consumers. Make sure the company you're calling is licensed and insured. If something happens, then they're covered."
"The next thing to do is make sure you get a proposal for the service in writing," Reed said. "You want a price in writing because then you know what you're going to be charged. It stops the confusion."
Now, when it comes to deciding which company you will choose based on their approach to the removal of insects, most experts will tell you to just be upfront with the professional so they know exactly what you are expecting. If you want a group of termites removed from your home without any pesticides, that is something you should have cleared up prior to the company making a visit to your home. Also, according to Reed, safety has become a huge part of pest control, so finding one who specializes or understands a consumer's safety issues shouldn't be hard at all.
"As far as products and chemicals used for pest control, most of the products are very different," Reed said. "The market has changed dramatically from the market 20 years ago. By and large, the safety factor has been improved by 100 fold. In most cases, people can now stay in their home during the treatment. Of course there are some exceptions to that."
