Tips For Selecting a Pest Control Professional

A good tip for selecting a professional from http://www.pestworld.org/consumer/article.asp?ArticleID=37

1. Always deal with a qualified and licensed pest management company. Consider asking to see the license or other credentials of the pest professional who comes to solve your pest problem.
2. Evaluate companies that are members of national, state or local pest management associations.
3. Consider an NPMA QualityPro company. Visit www.npmaqualitypro.com for more information.
4. Ask friends and neighbors to recommend pest control companies they have used successfully and how satisfied they were with the service.
5. 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.
6. If a sizable amount of money is involved, get bids from several pest management firms.
7. Don't rush a decision. Since you are paying for professional knowledge as well as skillful application of pesticides, look for someone whose judgment you can trust.
8. 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.
9. Find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.
10. 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.
11. Buy value, not price. Beware of bargains that sound too good to be true.
12. Homeowners can call state pest control regulatory agencies for information regarding the status of pest management companies. In most states the regulatory agency is the State Department of Agriculture.