How to choose a pest control company

We recommend that people get quotes from two or three pest control companies and look at value more than price. What appears to be a bargain at first may warrant a second look as some companies charge a nominal call out fee and then inflate the price when they arrive on site. Most reputable companies have fixed set prices for the most common household problems such as wasps, bees and hornets, ants and rats and mice.

It is important to ensure that the company you choose holds full public and employer’s liability insurance and to look for evidence or ask for details of the pest control company’s competence.

Is the company a member of the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) or accredited to other organisations such as the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS), SafeContractor or Constructionline.

These independent bodies vet pest companies individually on all aspects of their pest control health and safety practices. These industry bodies keep their members informed of new developments in pest control methods, safety, training, research, and regulations. Members agree to follow certain codes of practice and work ethics.

The company of your choice should discuss all your safety concerns when using pesticides. These concerns may include some or all the following – allergies, sensitivities, age of occupants (infants or elderly), resident pets, and treatment near wildlife and fish.

You can ask to see the Material Safety Data Sheet or Householder information sheet which will show all precautionary warnings about the products to be used and should display the full company name and 24-hour contact number in case any emergency information is required.

The company should be informative and able to answer any questions you may have about the pest treatment you are receiving. They should initially inspect your premises and outline a recommended pest control program prior to commencing any work. The program should detail the following information:

• Pests to be controlled
• Extent of the pest problem
• Active ingredients in any pesticide to be used
• Potential adverse health effects and typical symptoms of poisoning associated with the active ingredients
• Form of the pesticide and application techniques
• Non-chemical alternatives if available
• Special instructions to reduce your exposure to the pesticide (such as vacating the house, emptying the cupboards, and removing pets)
• Steps to take to minimise your pest problems in the future if possible

If you hire a pest control firm to do the job, ask the company to use the least toxic chemical method available that will do the job properly.

If you believe something has gone wrong with the pesticide application, contact the company at once as any reputable company would gladly call back and investigate your problem further.

Here at MJ Backhouse, we provide domestic pest control and commercial pest control services in Yorkshire and have over 35 years of experience.

Our services include rat pest control, wasp pest control and flea pest control. Visit our testimonials page to see what our recent clients have to say about us. If you are looking for a pest control service, then please contact us today or call our 24/7 emergency number 0800 542 6359.