Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
If you live in a place that has hot summers like Hays, you probably experience your fair share of pests, such as ants and wasps. Arranging routine pest control with a good company can help you avoid encounters with these pests in the future.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which can make hard for homeowners to know which is best for them. That’s why we've analyzed plenty of options to find the best pest control companies in Hays. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
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Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on pest control companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
We narrowed it down to these pest control providers by analyzing customer reviews, costs, contracts, pest control treatments offered, state availability, and more.
Here’s how they ranked:
Terminix has 300 branches in over 22 countries and has been in business for about 100 years. Terminix has received multiple awards for its service, including Pest Control Technology Magazine’s Top 100 Pest Control Companies, Watauga County Best of the Best, and NCPMA’s Technician of the Year.
Terminix handles all kinds of pest problems for residential and commercial customers. These include opossums, raccoons, spiders, ants, termites, rodents, and roaches. Their service also comes with follow-up visits and annual inspections for guaranteed results.
Orkin Pest Control’s headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the longest-running pest control companies with a expansive network of branches. Its exterminators must complete 160 hours of training. In addition, due to its big network, it can often provide next-day — or even same-day — pest control.
Orkin takes care of many common pests, such as spiders, silverfish, ants, and cockroaches. After the first treatment, your Orkin expert will follow up to check that the pests haven’t returned. If they have, your local technicians can assist.
Rentokil is a well-known name in pest control, with branches across the globe and nearly a century of experience in the industry. The well-known brand owns the North American pest control providers Western Exterminator, J.C. Ehrlich, and Presto-X.
Rentokil and its partners deal with the following pests: bees, ants, spiders, flies, bed bugs, crickets, mosquitoes, wasps, cockroaches, and moths. Depending on the city, Rentokil and its partners may cover wildlife like rodents, snakes, and birds.
Pest control companies vary in credibility, knowledge, and skill. It's important to research companies to find the right fit for your pest problem. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting a pest control professional:
It's recommended to look for a pest control company that focuses their business on the pest you have, like rodents, roaches, bed bugs, or termites. The company should provide an overview of how they treat your type of pest.
The ideal pest management provider will employ technicians that have state licenses and are certified in pest control methods by associations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). These credentials indicate that the technicians have completed proper training. You'll also want to question each company about ongoing education for their employees.
Before booking an appointment, spend time reading online reviews on sites such as Google or Yelp to verify that the company has a reputation for providing positive experiences and effective services. Also look for any complaints via the Better Business Bureau. Ask about ongoing training at the company as well as how its technicians stay up to date on current pest control best practices. When you select a professional from our list of the top pest control in Hays, you can feel confident knowing that you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
If you prefer more natural, eco-friendly pest control solutions, look for providers that have "green" certifications. If you’re dealing with larger pests, such as mice or raccoons nesting in trees, you can also ask about humane catch and release methods. Keep in mind that natural pest control options may be less effective. You may need to consider the traditional route for a more serious infestation. Whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional options, all pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) must be registered with the EPA.
Reputable pest control providers usually offer service guarantees for continuing plans. The guarantees mean that a company will come back to re-treat your home at no cost if pests remain after the first treatment. One-off treatments typically don't include these reservice guarantees.
Once you have narrowed down your top pest control providers, contact each one and ask questions such as:
Thoroughly evaluate potential pest control companies using these questions. This will help you select the right provider to safely and effectively get rid of your pest problem at a reasonable price.
Hays is home to various pests, from insects to wildlife. To help you identify the most commonly seen pests, we examined online discussions and created a list of the ones mentioned the most.
Our top picks for the best pest control companies in Hays are Terminix and Orkin. They're well known in the industry and cover all common pests.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is having a pest control company come to your house once every two or three months. Spraying your property regularly will stop insects and other wildlife from coming back.
There are some pests you can handle yourself. For example, if you see some ants or a rogue wasp, chances are you can take care of it on your own. But some cases warrant calling the professionals. If you have a big infestation, you don’t know what the pest is, or would like preventative pest control, you should hire a pest control company.
In a town like Hays, where the cost of living is average compared to other cities, the cost of pest control may be a concern. How much pest control costs depends on several factors, such as what type of pests are troubling you and how bad the infestation is. A single visit can cost between $300 and $500, while a quarterly treatment plan is usually cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
We advise quarterly pest control, or even bi-monthly in Hays, where the heat can make pests more prevalent. For larger infestations, your exterminator may recommend monthly treatments over the course of the first three to six months.
