Professional pest control treatment is one of the most effective ways to manage pests in your home or business. A professional will be able to identify where pests are getting into your building and design a treatment plan that will effectively eliminate them. The right professional will also be able to keep track of pests as they return, so they can come back and continue treatment if necessary. However, not all pest control companies are created equal. Some pest control providers advertise their services with no certification or industry training. In fact, there are many pest control companies that are actually unlicensed contractors who have seen an opportunity for growth by advertising themselves as licensed professionals in the field of pest control! Thankfully there are some trusted resources for finding the right certified professionals when you’re looking for someone to treat your building for pests.
Check Licenses and Certification
The first thing you should do when you’re looking for a certified pest control company is check for licenses and certifications. This will tell you whether or not the company is a licensed contractor, as well as what industry organizations or government bodies have certified their employees as having the necessary knowledge and experience to do the job. There are several industry organizations that offer certification in the pest control industry, including the State Pest Control Licence, National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the Association of Pest Control Operators (APCO), Indian Pest Control Association (IPCA) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC). Each organization will have its own set of requirements for passing its certification exam, but all require that the individual must have a certain number of years of experience in the field. This will ensure that the person working on your building is knowledgeable about the pests that are typically in your area and has the necessary training to combat them effectively.
Where to Find a Certified Pest Control Company
You can also find a pest control company through a government or industry-endorsed certification or licensure website. These websites typically allow you to enter your zip code to find out which companies are certified in your area. The websites can also tell you about the complaint history of each company, so you can see how reliable they are. You can also check to see if the company is a member of the industry association discussed above. This is another way to verify that the company is a licensed contractor.
Ask About Treatment Methods
There are a variety of different treatment methods used in pest control. Chemicals, of course, are the most familiar, but they can also be the most dangerous. If you have young children or pets in the home, you may want to avoid chemicals. Other treatment methods include the use of sticky traps that are designed to capture pests without harming them. There are also products that will repel pests without killing them, such as ultrasonic devices. Ask your potential pest control company about the options they have available, as well as the pros and cons of each treatment method. This will help you make an informed decision about which method is best for your situation.
Request Quality Assurance Samples
Before you sign a contract with a pest control company, make sure to request a sample of the type of treatment they plan to use. You can also make sure that you receive a copy of the treatment log that the pest control company will use to keep track of when and what was applied to your building. This way you can see exactly what chemicals are being used on your property. Ask the company if any of the chemicals they plan to use are restricted use pesticides. You can also ask if the company is registered with the EPA, so you know they are properly handling these chemicals.
Confirm the Contractor Will Be on-site During the Treatment
Some pest control companies use a service model, where the company sends an employee out to your building, sprays the chemicals, and sends another employee out to check the logs to make sure the treatment was effective. Other companies use a staff model, where the same technician who sprays the chemicals will come back and check the treatment logs. Make sure you know which model your pest control company uses before you sign a contract, so you can be sure the technicians who are working on your building are the same ones who set up the treatment logs.
Find out how long the treatment will take
The length of a pest control treatment depends on the type of pests you’re dealing with, what type of treatment is being used, and how long the pests have been living in your building. However, most treatments take between one and two weeks. You can also check to see if the pest control company has any special requirements for the time period between treatment and when you can reoccupy the building. Make sure you have enough time to finish cleaning and vacuuming before the person comes back to finish the treatment.
Get the Right Contract Language in Place Beforehand
Before you sign a contract with a pest control company, make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. Look for an assurance that the company will be able to continue treatment if pests come back. You also want to make sure that the terms of the contract are in your favor. For example, make sure the contract includes a provision for follow-up treatment if pests return. This way, the pest control company is obligated to continue treatment until the pests are gone. Also make sure the contract includes a termination clause that gives you the ability to cancel the service if it’s not effective.
Conclusion
When you hire a pest control company, you need to make sure that the technicians who come to your building are certified, licensed professionals. Verify that the company you choose is a licensed contractor, and make sure they use a staff model where the same technicians who spray the chemicals will come back and check the treatment logs. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the contract, and get it in writing before you sign. This will help you make sure that pests are properly managed in your building and that you’re getting the most effective treatment possible.
