Tips For Selecting a Pest Control Professional

• Ask friends and neighbors to recommend pest control companies they have used successfully and how satisfied they were with the service.

• Be wary of the operator who comes to your home uninvited and offers to give your house a free inspection for pests. He or she may try to scare you into authorizing immediate and costly treatments.

• If a sizable amount of money is involved, get bids from several pest control firms.

• Don’t rush a decision. Since you are paying for professional knowledge, look for someone whose judgment you can trust.

• Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the pest to be exterminated, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem.

• Find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.

• If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing control, prevention and management are necessary.

• Buy value, not price. Beware of bargains that sound too good to be true.

• A federal law requires commercial applicators of “restricted use” pest control products to be certified. The certification program is left up to the state. Homeowners can call the certifying state agencies for information.