Often people forget how important pest control can be for their home or business. If they move into a home or a business that does not have a pest problem, they do not realize the steps that must be taken to keep the building that way. Keeping bugs and other pests out of a building can be a relatively simple process, so long as the people in charge of the building take care to engage in pest prevention to keep the bugs from coming in. Some of the best things a person can do to keep bugs out of their home include controlling trash, sealing the building against the outside, and getting rid of standing water.
Getting rid of trash in the home helps with pest control. Getting rid of trash means getting rid of garbage regularly, to keep it from building up and contaminating the office. Getting rid of trash also means keeping all food in the office properly sealed. To a pest, fresh food and rotten garbage are the same temptation and having either easily accessible means that pests will come in. Cleaning out the trash regularly will keep pests from coming into the building. Keeping food properly stored, and keeping crumbs off the floor will keep the pests out.
Every home has its share of infernal pest problems but like all troubles, it does come to an end but as to how you get to the end is another matter. Getting rid of pests can be a challenge, but once you get an idea of what you need to do, you’ll be saying goodbye to your pest problems for good.
The first step is to know exactly what kind of pests you are dealing with. Most homes are infested with termites, ants, cockroaches or rats so you can start by identifying the problem then looking up information online on how to manage it. Check if you can manage the problem yourself before you go and look for a pest control company to deal with it.
Sometimes, all it may take to manage your pest problem is a little rearrangement in the landscape or home design such as having your pets undergo anti-flea or anti-tick treatments or replacing certain plants, trees and shrubs with those that are pest-resistant.
While it is tempting to do your own pest control, this will actually depend on the severity of the problem and because homeowners don’t have access to pest management tools and pesticides like professional pest control technicians do, hiring a pest control company to do the job may be a good idea if your problem is already at a level where you can’t manage it yourself. For one, pest control technicians are backed by their years of experience and expertise on pests, so much that they can identify the pest problem even before you finish describing it to them.
Also, hiring a pest control company can ensure that you will get on a maintenance schedule to prevent pest problems from recurring. If you do decide to go ahead and hire a professional pest control company, you will need to ask for referrals or recommendations from family, friends or neighbors. Call each one and ask questions about the services they offer and what type of methods they use, i.e., Integrated Pest Management system that requires the use of low-toxicity products, etc.
You can also ask as well about the equipment they use to inspect and track pest activity because this will be an indication of how effective their treatments will be. Companies like A1 Pest Control, for example, use Termatrac equipment to pick up termite activity and not just detect their presence. Check if the company you want to hire also uses equipment that can easily detect potential risk areas and accurately identify heat sources within building structures. Just having thermal cameras and moisture meters aren’t good enough.
Of course, you must make sure that they have all the required licenses, registration, certification, and insurance. You can always verify the status of their licenses online or by calling the pest control board or organization that issued the license. Qualified operators must have Qualified Applicator certification or licenses issued by the state’s Department of Pesticide Regulation and must be knowledgeable about the Pesticides Act and EPA regulations on the use and management of chemicals or pesticides.
Reputable companies will also do inspections around your home and its surroundings and as such, will charge a fee accordingly, however, they should also be able to provide for that fee a written and detailed diagnosis of the problem including what type of pest was found, along with information on what treatment plan will be best, what type of pesticides will be used, and if required, the frequency of which inspections and treatments will be done and an estimate cost. They should also be able to advise you of precautionary measures to take and how long the treatments will last.
Once you have everything in order and are ready to hire the company, make sure you review the contract carefully and that everything discussed is put down in writing. The contract should include the following information: name of the company, length of service, treatment plan, price, and guarantee. Also, make sure that you and the company are clear on the minor details like what will happen if you decide to end the contract early, or if there is an arbitration clause or any other method by which any dispute may be settled. And even after the treatments are over, you need to stay in touch with the company to make sure that the terms of your contract are still being carried out.
Getting the best solutions means hiring the best. With these tips outlined above, you will be able to hire the best pest control company and be forever rid of whatever’s bugging you.
