Pest Control Services

Do you worry that your home may have a pest infestation? Find out what you need to know about professional pest control.

You may welcome human guests into your home on a regular basis, but invading rodents and insects are not as welcome. Pests constantly cause problems in American homes. They create dangerous health hazards and structural damage. According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 14 million homeowners saw cockroaches in their homes in the 12 months preceding April, 2021. There were also approximately 14.8 million mice and rat sightings in American homes during the same time period.

If you suspect a current pest problem in your home, it is vital to treat the problem quickly. Then you can minimize damage to yourself and your property. You may also want to find ways to prevent pest problems from ever occurring. In either case, you have two options. One is to use DIY pest control methods to try to treat the problem. The other is to hire professional pest control services. Use the information below to determine when to hire pest control experts.

Pests You Often See at Home

There are many different pests that can invade homes in the United States. Although, not all parts of the country have identical pest problems. For example, rat infestations are more common in urban areas. Such infestations are dangerous because rats can carry numerous diseases. They can also gnaw and chew on items in homes, such as furniture, cabinetry, or bedding. One of the biggest dangers associated with rats is structural damage caused by chewing on wall boards, flooring, ceiling tiles, or beams.

Climate also has an impact on pest populations. For example, bee hives in and around homes are more active in warmer weather. However, certain pests invade homes across the country at any time of year. Cockroaches top that list. There are several species of them that live in the United States. Each is resilient and invasive. Cockroaches are also hazardous because they typically hide in walls or flooring. You may not see them until you have far too many to effectively treat by yourself. 

A third major pest in the United States is the termite. Termites are not directly as potentially hazardous to your health as cockroaches or rats. However, they cause indirect safety hazards. For example, they can damage your home to a degree that it becomes structurally unsound without your knowledge. They do so by chewing up beams and other wooden structures hidden inside walls, attics, and crawl spaces. Some of the other most common types of pests you may encounter in your home include:

  • Ants

  • Mice

  • Silverfish

  • Centipedes

  • Termites

  • Flies

How to Get Rid of Pests

There are many ways to limit pests in your home. Some you can do yourself. For example, keeping your house clean reduces the food crumbs and other materials that can attract pests. You can also use natural oils to deter some pests yourself. Another option is to set traps for pests like mice and rats. All of those choices can help you get rid of a few visible pests, but they may not rid your home of the larger pest infestation problem.

When you employ DIY solutions for pest control, you may find yourself falling into a long-term pattern of trapping or treatment. Continuous maintenance on your part can help keep pest invasions from getting out of control. However, you cannot necessarily permanently remove all of the pests. They may reproduce quickly and hide in areas you cannot see. That is why hiring a professional pest control service is often the more useful choice.

Benefits of Hiring a Pest Control Company

When you try DIY pest control, you leave yourself susceptible to a variety of problems. One issue is your attempts at ridding your home of pests may fail, wasting time. Those failed attempts can also cause you to waste money unnecessarily. Another problem with DIY pest control is you might mistake one pest for another, making your pest control plan ineffective.

A professional pest control company based in your local area can help you treat pests quickly. Local pest control specialists know all of the common pests in your area well. They can recognize specific types of infestation quickly and treat them appropriately. Other advantages of hiring a professional pest control service include:

  • Pests are removed quickly and efficiently.

  • Pest control experts can access hidden areas to treat the entire problem.

  • Dangerous structural issues caused by pests, such as termite damage are easier for professionals to identify.

  • Hiring professionals can help you avoid getting bitten by pests while trying to trap or kill them.

  • Professionals can help you put a preventative plan in place to prevent pests from returning.

Pest Control Options in Your Area

Regardless of your location, there are probably several pest control companies in your area from which you can choose. Some are locally owned and operated. Others are national chains. You can use resources like satisfied loved ones to find the most reputable company near your home. Online reviews can also help you narrow down your options. Here are some of the top large pest control chains as of 2022:

  • Aptive is one of the fastest growing pest control companies in the country. Its focus is on providing quality service while maintaining the most environmentally-friendly treatment and prevention options possible.

  • Orkin has been in the business of pest control for over 100 years. It has offices in many U.S. states and offers same-day pest control services in many instances.

  • Bulwark currently only offers pest control services in 12 states, but the company is quickly expanding. It is known for excellent customer service, including free follow-ups when pests are not eradicated during initial treatment.

  • Terminix is one of the largest pest control companies in the country. Its employees routinely treat a wide range of pest infestations, including ticks, wasps, and termites.

The Cost of Pest Control

A final consideration when hiring a pest control company is cost. The type of pest and type of treatment plan impact the cost. The average cost is $250 to $600 for one visit to deal with a specific infestation. However, the cost may increase when multiple visits are required to treat a single infestation. Regularly scheduled preventative treatments are typically cheaper per appointment. They can also save you future costs associated with cleanup and repair after infestations.