How to Choose Pest Control Services: Everything You Need to Know

During the pandemic lockdown, rodent infestations increased by 42% in the United Kingdom. For many, this meant calling in professional pest control.

But with so many pest control companies to choose from, how do you know which one will be the right for the job? Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re choosing the best services in your area.

So if you’re battling different types of pests in and around your home, keep reading. Here’s how to choose pest control services that will do the job right the first time.

Types of Pest Control Services

You may think calling pest control is a simple process. But it depends heavily on the type of pest you are having trouble with. There are three primary services pest control companies offer. They are:

• Pest Extermination
• Pest Removal
• Pest Prevention

Some companies may offer only one, others all three. Make sure the company you hire provides the service and treatment you need.

How to Choose Pest Control Services

Now that we know what types of pest control services there are let’s look at how to choose the right company. Here are our top seven tips.

1. Recommendations and Suggestions

There’s no doubt that if you jump on the internet, you will find many pest control services to choose from. So, the first prize in finding a highly recommended company is asking friends and family.

If anyone you know has battled the same problem, they might have already used a company to solve their problem. If this company did a good job, they would likely come highly recommended.

Word of mouth is one of the most potent forms of advertising, so consider any recommendations and suggestions you get from people you know.

2. Look at Online Reviews

If you have no one to recommend a company, the next step is to go online. But that doesn’t mean choosing the first company you see. What you want to do instead is spend time researching companies in your area and reading online reviews.

First, have a look at their website. Is it professional? Do they give you enough information about their services? Do they give you enough information about their company? If their website checks all the boxes, you need to seek out any reviews about them.

Check review websites to see if anyone has left comments about their services, or check their Google listing. This is one of the most popular places people leave reviews.

3. Find a Licensed Company

So you’ve asked around, done some research online, and potentially found a good candidate. Next, you must find out if they’re adequately licenced to do their job.

In the UK, the law requires anyone who uses pesticides to be licenced. They need to have a Specified Certificate in the Use of Pesticides, which they can get from the NPTC.

A company without the legally required certifications will come with significant risks. For example, they may not be fully trained in handling poisonous chemicals or potentially using sub-par pest control equipment.

4. Are They Part of an Association?

Another factor that can contribute to the legitimacy of a pest control company is whether or not they’re a part of any associations. For example, more than 700 companies in the UK are registered with the British Pest Control Association (BPCA).

The BPCA is a non-profit organisation that represents and supports companies in the pest management sector. You want to ensure your pest control contractor is part of an official association because the company employs trained staff, is insured, and is trusted within the pest control industry.

5. What Services Do They Offer?

When you choose pest control services, you’ll be comparing pest control costs across a few companies. This price will differ between companies due to the services and treatments they offer. For example, some companies may deal with rats and mice, and others won’t.

You want to enquire first which methods they offer because there are so many treatments available today. Some companies may offer several ways, and others may specialise in only one.

The various treatments you can choose from will range from using chemicals and pesticides to using heat in the form of heat treatments. If someone in your family has a respiratory illness such as asthma, you may want to avoid using a chemical treatment. This is because you don’t know how much residue will be left after the treatment, which can affect sensitive airways.

6. Do They Offer Free Estimates?

While this point is not a deal breaker, it can make the difference between good and great companies. When you choose a pest control company, visit their website and see if they mention a free estimate anywhere on their site.

Pest control treatment can cost more than £200 a day, so a company offering a free estimate can help keep costs down. However, if the company says they’ll give you a quote after you pay a fee, then keep looking. There are more than enough companies offering free estimates for you to choose from.

Try getting estimates from more than one company for the purpose of comparing pest control costs.

7. Are They Insured?

Finally, you want to check if the company you’re using is insured for the work they’ll be doing. Mistakes can still happen regardless of how good the company is, and if the company is insured, the insurance coverage will protect your home and furniture.

Another factor to consider with insurance is whether it includes liability insurance. This means should you or anyone else have an accident while the job is underway, they will be covered for any costs incurred.

Choose Pest Control Services Like a Pro

You don’t have to be overwhelmed when you choose pest control services if you follow the guidelines in this article. There are so many types of pests that treatments may vary from company to company.

Always do your research and find companies that offer services that will solve your pest problem. After all, there’s no point in hiring bug exterminators if rats and mice are a problem.

If you’re looking for first-rate pest control services, contact us today to see how we can help. We offer both domestic and commercial pest control services.