What you need to know when calling an exterminator

A pest infestation, whether roaches, mice, or bed bugs, is truly a headache, especially if it starts at home. It not only causes property and structural damage but also poses several health risks to your family.

But hunting for these pests is too stressful, especially when you are clueless about where to start. And this is where exterminators come into the roleplay!

However, do you know when exactly you shall avail of professional pest control services? Well, don’t worry; you’ll find all your answers in this ultimate guide to calling an exterminator.

Here, we’ll discuss everything you need to know before calling an exterminator. So, let us proceed!

1. First Signs of Pest Infestation

Before contacting an exterminator, you must be sure of those pesky pests in your house.

You can do so by checking your home thoroughly. The following are signs of various pest infestations.

1. Pest Droppings

Firstly, look at the surfaces and floors for any pest droppings. These are one of the first and most common indicators of any insects.

2. Scratch Marks

While checking the surfaces, check for holes, scratch marks, or torn fabrics. If you come across such marks, it might be a mice or rodent infestation.

3. Strange Smells

If you notice a solid foul odor throughout your home, it might indicate a pest problem. These nasty insects usually leave urine and droppings here and there, which, over time, emits a bad smell.

4. Discarded Body Parts

Though it might sound weird, their discarded body parts are a significant indicator of pest infestation.

For example, you might find shed wings of cockroaches or leftover skin of bed bugs in cupboards or on beddings. These imply that the infestation has already begun on a large scale, and professional assistance is needed to eliminate them!

5. Hollow Wood Structures

Hollow wood usually indicates that you have termites in your building. These insects chew on the inner sides of the wood, forming mud tubes for easy travel.

So, if you notice wooden-colored droppings or broken mud tunnels, called frass, on the floor or walls, it’s a severe termite infestation.

2. Health Risks Are Extreme

When you notice pest infestation in your home, it is time to speed-dial the exterminator. These nasty creatures can cause various diseases and pose life threats to elderly people, children, and pets.

The following are some diseases that occur due to the infestation of pests at home.

• Vector-Borne Diseases

Infectious diseases like Zika, rabies, and AIDS can spread through vectors like mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks.

• Allergies and Asthma

Pests like cockroaches can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms severely. So, if you have older adults at home, keep these insects away for good health.

• Microbial Diseases

Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, protozoans as well as prions can cause severe microbial diseases and infections in humans and animals. Most of these diseases are spread through pests.

So, if you notice the symptoms mentioned above, take immediate measures to eradicate these troublesome insects from the building for your safety!

3. DIY Solutions Needs Re-Thinking

Most of us feel that pest infestations can be handled on our own using pet poisons, traps, or chemical solutions, and we’d hardly need to consult an exterminator.

But if you are trying to do it alone, you are exposing yourself and the people around you to certain risks associated with these pest control methods.

Also, many of these DIY methods aren’t safe for children or pets. So, you should avoid practicing them.

Besides, the cost of damages caused by these DIY pest control techniques will be relatively higher than the expenses you had to bear for hiring professionals.

There are many affordable service providers available in your locality that offer quality extermination. So, opt for such services to avoid potential risks.

4. Neighborhood Pest Control Services

Certain regions are exposed to frequent pest infestation. So, if you are hunting for exterminator services, we recommend you enquire about your neighborhood pest control companies.

Being locals, they know effective techniques to deal with particular insect species found in the said region and eradicate them permanently from your space.

Try to know their service details, working mechanisms, payment plans, and other terms and conditions. If all the specifications align with your requirement, you can hire them to get a pest-free home!

5. Qualifications and Accreditations of Exterminators

When you hire your exterminator services, it is important that you first run a background check on their team.

Also, check whether they have a verified license, proper equipment, and adequate technical skills to deal with hefty pest infestations. Ensure that they possess ACE or EPA certifications as evidence of their service quality.

6. Customer Reviews

Before you call your exterminator services, check their online reviews on Google and other social media sites.

Usually, a company’s website speaks about its years of experience or equipment quality. However, customer reviews speak volumes. So, try to check all reviews and get a fair idea regarding their service’s overall quality and customer satisfaction.

Do not be averse if you find a few negative reviews, as it is possible in certain cases. However, the ratio of good to poor reviews should favor the exterminator.

7. Budget Constraints

Before hiring the exterminator and signing the contract, check whether their quotations match your budgetary requirements.

On average, a pest control company charges from $200 to $600 in the US. However, it will depend on how large your home is and the severity of the pest infestation.

Also, ask them about the payment options available so that you can manage the expenditure accordingly.

Usually, most exterminator services accept payment after a free inspection. However, it depends on the terms and conditions of the service providers.

Summing Up

Pests are a danger to your home and family members. If you want to remove them permanently, seeking professional help is a must. So, when you notice any signs, call your exterminator immediately before it gets too late.

However, ensure to talk to the pest control company regarding their payment plans, the number of inspectors required to handle the infestation, and other additional services beforehand.

Once all your requirements align with the services of an exterminator, get all the paperwork and documentation done and become stress-free about pest removal from your house.