It is always recommended that you do some research on anyone you want to hire. As a homeowner, whether you need a plumber or pest control expert, it’s important to check the credentials of any professional hired to do a service in your home.
For pest control experts, be sure they have the skills, experience, and professional licensures necessary to conduct the remediation methods you need. Read on for more tips about what to look for when comparing pest control services, and how to tell when it’s time to find someone else.
What does a pest control expert do?
As the job title suggests, pest control experts are responsible for controlling pests in a home or business. These professionals typically complete the following duties:
- Inspect your property to detect pests
- Draw up a quote for work to remove pests
- Identify the possible point of entry for pests
- Develop a remediation plan for pests
- Conduct routine inspections and remediation procedures to prevent future pest infestations
How do you know if you have a qualified pest control expert?
Requirements vary from state to state, but in Pennsylvania, pest control experts must be licensed. Be prepared by researching the qualifications a pest control expert should have, and some basic questions to ask the pest control companies you speak with to ensure they can do the job.
Asking questions up front is an important part of the hiring process, especially if you have a challenging insect problem. Bed bugs or cockroaches, for instance, are extremely difficult to remove. Be sure the technicians at any pest control company you speak with has the right experience with getting rid of these types of insects.
Five reasons why you should fire your pest control expert
1. Improper safety measures.
At a minimum, the technician should be wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, goggles, or other protective eyewear when on a job. Their level of self-protection is a direct reflection of how they are protecting you and your family.
2. Misrepresenting the products used.
A company claiming to only use “organic” or “green” products, then uses synthetic or unsafe products is a company you may want to think twice about working with. Not only are the technicians potentially putting you and your family at risk by using harmful products, but they are also practicing false advertising and sharing misinformation with customers. Misrepresentation
3. Technician does not provide full disclosure.
After every job, a technician is required to give you a complete list of the products they used. This is necessary if you or someone in your household (even a pet) has a reaction to any of the products. Be sure the tech didn’t give you a written notice and you just misplaced it before you terminate your working relationship with them. Things get lost—make sure that’s the case before calling it quits with the company.
4. The company’s license is expired or has been suspended.
As we already mentioned, in Pennsylvania, pest control technicians must be licensed. That should be one of the first things you ask a company you wish to do business with. If the information is not readily available on the company’s website, ask about it when you schedule a consultation.
5. You are not satisfied with their service.
If the problem persists, even after several treatments, it might be time to find another pest control company. Sometimes the company feels confident they can handle the infestation, but it is actually worse than they expected. If the problem requires more than a few follow-up applications, it will likely cost you more in the long run. Think about the cost savings and solving the problem in a shorter amount of time, and shop around for a new company.
How to fire your pest control expert
Maybe you only used a pest control company once and were not satisfied with them for any of the above reasons (or something not mentioned). The next time you need pest remediation, simply shop around for a different company, using our tips below as a guide.
If you have used the same pest control company in the past and were generally pleased with the results, give the manager a call and discuss the issue. Maybe there was a misunderstanding that can be fixed easily.
Depending on the reason you are no longer working with the company, you may want to call the technician’s manager to bring the issue to their attention. The manager will likely appreciate you notifying them and alerting them about anything that might affect their business negatively.
How to find a reputable pest control expert
- Ask for referrals. Word of mouth is still the single most effective way for a business to gain new customers. Ask friends, family, and colleagues for names of reputable, effective pest control companies, or create a post for social media which says you are looking for referrals.
- Do a Google search of local companies. There is no shortage of professional service sites. Use them to research local pest control companies. Read customer reviews and visit the company’s website. Look for testimonials from satisfied customers.
- Ask the outgoing company. If a company cannot deliver the results they promised, they should refer you to a company that can.
If you’re looking for a pest control company that will not just meet, but exceed, your expectations, give us a call today!
[wpforms id=”1017″ title=”true” description=”true”]