Finding Pest Control Services Online

If your home has become infested by pests, you should consider professional pest control services. Do-it-yourself methods work sometimes, but often require a lot of effort and specialized knowledge.

Today’s pest control services employ professionals who know precisely what methods and treatments are appropriate for your specific pest problem. Simply spraying the baseboards of your home with chemicals is ineffective and out-of-date. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), has become the new standard. Pest control services technicians will first identify the particular pest and then inspect your home to discover how far the infestation has spread. Only then can they accurately assess what measures need to be taken, taking cost, safety, effectiveness, and environmental impact into consideration.

For a broader overview of pest control services, try visiting the Illinois Department of Public Health’s pest control website, http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcpestcntrl.htm. It explains the IPM process in more detail and explains the benefits of using professional pest control services as opposed to a do it yourself approach, so it is informative for everyone, not just those from Illinois.

Pest Control Services: How To Pick A Company

Picking the right company is important when considering the various pest control services available. Many companies will inspect your house for free as part of their rate quote. This makes it possible to get several rate quotes and inspections before paying anything. The lowest bid, however, is not always the best choice.

Hiring pest control services usually requires signing a contract. The terms of the contract are very important and are legally binding. The contract should specify the number of treatments that will be conducted and what specific chemicals and methods will be used. It should also detail what the company’s obligation is if the infestation is not eliminated, and whether the company is legally liable for damage caused by pests it should have removed. Another key point is whether you give up your right to sue the company or not. Some pest control services require that you waive your right to sue and that you agree to binding arbitration.

The University of California has a helpful website that guides you through the process of purchasing pest control services. It is found at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu. The first step is identifying what kind of pest problem you have, and conducting some basic research. Next, get recommendations from neighbors or friends and contact several pest control services to conduct a free inspection. Some factors to consider are whether the company offers a money-back guarantee, whether they practice Integrated Pest Management, and whether they have received good reviews from previous customers.

If you want to hire a company that offers organic pest control, check out Angie’s List at http://www.angieslisttips.com. This website provides a helpful guide to finding pest control services that utilize environmentally friendly methods, such as natural pesticides and baits. Expect to pay more for these eco-friendly features, however. Also, they may require more frequent application, since they break down more quickly than chemical pesticides.

What Questions Should You Ask About Features?

Different pest control services offer different features. Not all companies are equipped to deal with every kind of pest. The methods and expertise of different companies can also vary greatly. It is important to do some research in order to get the best deal. When a pest control services technician is performing the initial inspection, asking a few questions can provide you with key information.

Some questions you may wish to consider asking: Does the company employ Integrated Pest Management, or do they just spray around your house periodically? What kind of results should you expect? What kind of guarantee does the company offer? Will they provide continued treatment at no cost if the pests return before they are supposed to? What chemicals will be used, and what non-chemical methods do they employ? Do the company’s technicians have the appropriate state certifications? For pest control services that apply treatments to the outside of your home, ask whether they are weatherproof. Will the chemicals need to be reapplied after a heavy rain?

You can find more important questions to ask and consider at http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1101/. This extensive article on how to select pest control services contains a thorough list of questions to ask, as well as an excellent section on what to look for and beware of in contracts.

Where Can You Find More Information?

Author Ken Bensinger wrote an article, “10 Things Your Exterminator Won’t Tell You” that reveals important factors to consider when hiring pest control services. You can find it at http://www.smartmoney.com. He reiterates common advice to research one’s particular pest problem and then interview several companies, as well as points out that one’s neighbors may need to take action as well in order for the treatment to be a complete success.

Consumer Reports’ Home & Garden blog has a section on pest control that is updated fairly frequently. You can find it at http://blogs.consumerreports.org. This blog provides helpful tips on how to deal with everything from ticks and ants to stinkbugs and bedbugs.

Orkin®, a pest control services company, maintains an excellent learning center at http://www.orkin.com/learningcenter/. The most helpful part of the site is the pest library, which has pictures to aid with the identification of pests. It also has an extensive FAQ and a section devoted to education for kids and teachers.

Terminix®, another national pest control services company, also has a superb learning center at http://www.terminix.com/Information/. In addition to a pictorial pest library, the site also has a Pest Activity Map. This tool allows you to pick a state and then see what pests are currently active in your area of the country. You will also find a helpful FAQ and a list of prevention tips.

Need pest control services for your garden? First take a look at http://knife.sharpener.2you365.org. This article explains how to use companion plants to fend off the pests that are taking over your garden plot. There are specific plants that naturally repel moths, aphids, leaf beetles, and other pests.