Selecting Pest Control (Exterminator) Services

Some home pest control situations should not be attempted by the average homeowner (see DIY Pest Control) and some homeowners never want to do it themselves. So here are some things to consider when purchasing pest control services.

Pest control companies, or exterminators, differ greatly in the services they provide and by how much they rely on conventional synthetic insecticides versus organic and biorational insecticides. You'll also find relatively small local companies and large national firms.

(1) Select a company based on their reputation, time in the community and willingness to answer your questions. The last point is especially important. They should give you written material that describes the problem they propose to treat and how they propose to treat it including what chemicals will be used and in what amounts.

(2) Companies differ in the range of pest situations that they routinely handle. This is especially true for less common pests, like bed bugs, or situations that require specialized equipment like some termite applications and structure fumigation. Ask if they have experience with the pest control situation for which you need service.

(3) Do not select a pest control company based on price alone, an advertisement in the phone book or the "deal of the week". Be cautious of unsolicited sales pitches and never select treatment just because your neighbor's property is being treated or because there is "leftover spray from another job". Get references and check them.

(4) Don't be pressured into an immediate decision. No pest situation requires immediate treatment. Most of the time a delay of a few days or weeks won't make any difference. Take time to gather information and make a good decision.

(5) Be cautious of claims of "secret formulations" or negative comments about competitors. Also be cautious of claims of endorsement by local government or university personnel as these folks are not permitted to make specific recommendations about companies or products.

General pest control suggestions

(1) No need to treat outdoors for insects during the winter months since insects are inactive when it is cold. Tropical climates may be the exception here.

(2) An adult should be at home when pest control treatments are done to answer questions about the property.

(3) Maintenance treatments, often suggested for intervals of 1-3 months, are not needed. In certain, specific cases, such as Formosan termite control in tropical climates where pest pressure and damage potential are especially high, repeat treatments may be justified.

(4) Tenting and fumigation of residential structures is almost never necessary for pests other than drywood termites. Fumigation is sometimes appropriate for commercial structures like warehouses, however.

When choosing pest control services your first decision will be whether to hire a national franchise company, like Orkin or Terminix, or a smaller, local company. The choice usually comes down to cost versus job complexity. See our suggestions for choosing local pest control services.

New, safer insecticides for home use

New botanical insectcides like EcoPCO WPX (right) can be safely used for a variety of pests, including some indoor applications. These plant oil-based insecticides are a major advance in safe and effective pest control for homeowner use. As with any insecticide, please read and carefully follow the package (label) instructions.