What to Look for in a Richmond Pest Control Company
First, before you hire a Richmond pest control company, know that most household pests can be controlled through a combination of good home maintenance practices, proper sanitation, and preventive measures. There are times, however, when a pest control company is needed, such as when your Richmond home or business is experiencing on infestation. In addition, some pests – such as cockroaches – can be difficult to control and require the services of a professional exterminator.
When selecting a Richmond pest control company, look for quality and value. Cost should not be your only consideration, especially if you are paying for a pest control service that is ineffective. So, check to see what others here in Richmond are saying about the exterminator you are considering. Check their online reviews, including Google, Yelp, Facebook, and pestreviews.org. Eco Pest Control has more than 1,200 five-star reviews, which says a lot about what our Richmond customers think about our company.
Is Your Richmond Pest Control Company Green?
Also check to see if your prospective pest control company uses green, environmentally safe products. If the pest control company you select to treat your Richmond home is not competent, both health and property can be damaged. While choosing an exterminator that uses an eco-friendly approach is always the best option, be aware that many pest control companies claim to be “green,” but aren’t. So, ask what “green” or “organic” pest control means to them and inquire about the types of methods they use to treat pests. Ask if their service is completely non-toxic, natural, organic, safe, eco-friendly, or chemical free. At Eco Pest Control, the answer to all those questions is “yes.”
Bottom line: Toxic chemicals kill everything in their path – including certain insects that are beneficial to all of us – and pose serious health hazards. The absolute best environmental pest control solutions are minimally toxic, which means you can solve your bug problem without putting your family, dog, and cat at risk.
Before contracting with a pest control company, consider the following:
4 Questions to Ask Your Prospective Pest Control Company
- How many years have you been in business at your present address? You want a pest control company that has a strong record of reliability and success. So, contact the State Department of Agriculture, State Attorney General’s Office, Better Business Bureau, or the EPA to determine if complaints have been filed against the company or its technicians for misusing pesticides.
- Would you provide me with a list of references? A trustworthy exterminator should be willing to provide you with references. When you receive a list, contact the references to find out if they are satisfied with the service provided by the pest control company.
- Will the person(s) performing the services be trained for the products being used and certified? The Environmental Protection Agency requires that every pest control company have at least one certified, licensed commercial pesticide applicator in the proper service category. Other pest control technicians must be certified applicators or licensed technicians under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. You may verify the license of a pest control company by calling the State Department of Agriculture.
- Would you provide me with a copy of your pest control license, copies of the labels for all pesticides used and the rates at which they will be applied? Reliable Richmond pest control companies will gladly show you their credentials and provide you with copies of pesticide labels that indicate how the product should be applied, including the proper application rates, and the necessary precautions.
Richmond Pest Control Companies to Beware of
Not all pest control companies are reputable. With that in mind, red warning flags should go up if your prospective pest control company:
- Wants to bundle pest control services into a package deal, such as general home repair or tree trimming.
- Offers you a special one-time only price if you agree to have the treatment done immediately.
- Doesn’t have a listed or working telephone number.
- Sells services door to door.
- Arrives at your home unexpectedly and shows you insects they have found in your neighbor’s house as evidence of a neighborhood infestation problem.
- Quotes a per-gallon price, especially for termite treatment. Termite control can require several hundred gallons of diluted insecticide.
- Claims to have a secret formula. All pesticide products used by Richmond pest control companies must be registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department of Agriculture. What’s more, registered pesticide labels must contain a list of active ingredients.
- Tries to pressure you into immediately signing a contract by suggesting your house is structurally unsound and may collapse if not treated.
- Claims to have excess material left over from a previous job and offers a reduced price for immediate treatment.
- Claims to be endorsed by the State Departments of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, or any other government agency. Government agencies do not endorse any pest control company – in Richmond or elsewhere – or specific pesticide product.
About Termite Treatments
It is customary for termite control treatments to be guaranteed from one to five years. Make sure you know what the guarantee covers and determine if there is a yearly inspection charge. In addition, find out if the pest control company is responsible for structural damage if the treatment fails to control the termite infestation. The guarantee is only as dependable as the company that offers it.
As the leading pest control company in Richmond, Eco Pest Control also offers homeowners and business owners both the Sentricon system and Termidor. Sentricon is effective, environmentally friendly, and the most recognized name in termite bait stations. Following your termite inspection, your Eco Pest Control professional exterminator – who is certified in the Sentricon system – can install and maintain your system.
Termidor, on the other hand, is the leading liquid termite treatment on the market. If you choose this treatment following your exterminator’s termite inspection, then your technician will apply Termidor in the soil around the perimeter of your property to form a continuous barrier of protection. Termidor’s active ingredient is a termiticide. As soon as a termite crosses the barrier, it picks up the termiticide and transmits it to other termites, eventually wiping out the entire colony.
Both Sentricon and Termidor come with 12-month warranties that are both renewable and transferable.
Some Final Thoughts
If the pest control company’s technician asks you to do certain things before, during, or after the pesticide application, cooperate and follow instructions. Good cooperation between you and the pest control company will help eliminate pests.
Additional Resources
- National Pesticide Information Center (804) 575-7054
- Your state pest control regulatory agency
- Cooperative Extension Service office near you
- Citizen’s Guide Pest Control and Pesticide Safety
- Fact sheet – Choosing a Pest Control Company: What you need to know
- Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Pest Control Operator
- Tips for Finding a Pro
- How to Select a Bed Bug Control Provider
- Choosing a Qualified Pest Management or Lawn Care Company
- Selecting a Lawn Care Company
- Choosing a Pest Control Company
- Hiring a Pest Management Professional
- Pest Control: Do it Yourself or Hire a Professional?
- Green Shield Certified Pest Control Company
- GreenPro Certification Program
- Choosing a Pest Control Company: IPM Is the Key
- Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP)
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