Choosing service providers can be difficult, especially ones that are in your home and using potentially harmful products around your family and pets. That’s why it’s important to ask the right questions before you sign an agreement with a new pest control company. We listed below some of the concerns you should raise, and questions that will help put your mind at ease.
1. How long have you been in business?
Experience goes a long way in the pest control industry. When contracting a new service provider, it's important to find out how long they’ve been in business or working in the industry.
For example, Clements Pest Control has been family owned and operated in Florida for more than 55 years. Spanning three generations, our company has a long track record of providing the highest quality service at an affordable price.
2. Is your company properly licensed, bonded, and insured?
Professionals working in the pest control field need to have a license to operate. The State of Florida mandates that each company have a “Certified Operator” on staff to perform various services. There are four various Certified Operators Licenses required, including General Pest Control, Lawn & Ornamental, Termite, and Fumigation.
Exterminators need to understand safety practices, application methods, and cleaning protocols to be able to provide you with the best service, so make sure to find out which licenses your provider possesses before contracting them for various services.
It is also recommended that the pest control company you want to hire has various types of insurance. This should include professional liability insurance and general liability insurance. The company also should have no problems answering your questions about licensing and insurance. If the company representatives say that they don’t have insurance, you should definitely not hire them. They may attempt to convince you that there is no need for insurance but if something goes wrong, you could be left with a hefty bill and still a pest-infested home or worse.
3. Where can I find reviews from current or previous customers?
Any reputable pest control company should be able to point you to online reviews of their services. They should have reviews from customers on Google, Yelp, Facebook or legitimate comments on their website. This type of recognition lets you know that they really do a good job and are used by other members of your community.
You don’t want to let just anyone into your home to spray chemicals or fumigate without knowing their reputation and that they will do a good job. If the company can’t show you any reviews, it probably means that their services aren’t the best. After all, everyone likes to show off awards and 5 star ratings. So do your research and see what you can find out.
To see what people are saying about Clements, search us on google, yelp, facebook or head over to our website www.clementspestcontrol.com to read customer reviews from real clients.
4. How much experience and training do your technicians have?
It is important for the pest control company to have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to handle the job. Controlling or exterminating pests is difficult. Which means that the technicians not only need to understand the particular pest and the environment they are going to be working in. But that they also must also be willing to do the hard work that is required to solve your pest problem. Because quick fixes can result in pests returning sooner rather than later. So hiring a pest control company with experienced technicians means you can benefit from both their local knowledge and skill.
An established company is likely to be around for a long time and the owners will stand behind their work. Yet if the pest control company’s management or staff are reluctant to tell you about the technicians’ training, you should see this as a red flag. Be especially careful with very new companies or those with inexperienced staff. And don’t be afraid to ask questions until you’re comfortable in the knowledge of the service that you’re going to get. Because pest control can be expensive and you want to get the most value out of the money that you spend on the pest control service.
Clements places a large emphasis on training and continuous education. We provide monthly training meetings with each of our technicians and work with various state and local organizations to ensure we limit our environmental footprint within the communities we serve.
5. Are the products you use safe for people, pets and plants?
It is important that the products that the pest control team uses are safe for other living things found in the house. So if possible, hire an exterminator who uses eco-friendly products made from plants or other natural sources. You don’t want your children, pets or elderly family members to be exposed to harmful chemicals if it’s not absolutely necessary. Also, ask the technician if the products are hazardous or toxic. And you might even want to get the names of the products used by your hired pest control service and do your own research if you have doubts.
The exterminator should be able to tell you about the ingredients in their treatments and whether you will need to leave your home during the treatment or not. And if anyone in your household is sensitive to strong smells, you should also ask about low-odor alternatives. However, it should be noted that even products without strong smells can be harmful. And the technician may be tempted to tell you that the product is odorless while ignoring the potential health concerns. So be sure to ask lots of questions to your pest control service provider beforehand.
Our slogan is ‘Environmentally Friendly”, and we stand behind it. Our team of Certified Operators work closely with multinational suppliers and entomologists to source the leading products with lower health and environmental risks. That’s why we now offer organic and minimally invasive applications.
6. What type of warranty do you offer customers?
Depending on the type of pest you have and which treatment is used, the length of time your house will stay pest-free will vary. The climate, the way the property is used and the overall environment can also affect the efficacy of the treatment. So pest control companies will often offer a warranty agreement. However, the best companies go beyond this and stay in contact with you. They will check for other pests when they are treating the present problem. And they will also offer tips on how to prevent a re-infestation and schedule a yearly inspection.
If a pest control company says that they only treat the problem and move on, you should look elsewhere. Even though your first contact with the company will be when you have an actual pest problem, pest control is about ongoing maintenance, not just a one-off treatment. So make sure you keep this in mind when you are looking at which pest control company to hire.
Pest control is too important of a task to just hire any company to do it. Therefore do your research and don’t be afraid to ask many questions as you have before you hand over your money.
If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to call us or fill out a contact form, and we will assist you with any pest control questions you may have.