Pest Control FAQs
How much does pest control cost?
The cost of pest control depends on the specific pest that you are dealing with. The average rate for one-time service is between $250 and $600. That cost is considerably higher than if you’re a part of our regular protection plan. Our year-round protection packages offer big savings and peace of mind.
When to call an exterminator?
Not getting pests under control poses a safety risk to families and pets. You should call your pest control specialist if you find structural or interior damage, notice strange smells or sounds, or see signs of rodent and pest activity. You should also call if you have difficulty controlling a pest on your own.
How do I choose a good pest control provider?
It is crucial for you and your family’s safety to choose a pest control provider that is is both insured and licensed by the state of Ohio. Insurance protects you from accidents. Working with a licensed company gives you peace of mind that your pest management professional knows how to legally and safely apply the products they will be using. Searching for positive reviews and asking friends and families for references are good resources for finding a reputable provider. Getting estimates and conditions of a warranty is also important when choosing a provider. Be sure to reach a complete understanding with your provider about the exact treatment plan. Buying value, not price, is one of the most important aspects of choosing your pest professional.
What questions should you ask a pest control company?
Asking for online reviews or testimonials can help determine the quality of work they do. Find out if the business is insured and licensed by the state of Ohio. A good pest control company will have a business license as well as licensed technicians. Find out how they decide what treatments are needed. Ask if they will get rid of the pests, and what happens if they come back. If treatments are safe for your family and pets. What to do before and after treatment. Ask how much training exterminators receive and how much experience they have. You should also ask about guarantees and warranties.
What does an exterminator do?
An exterminator goes to a client’s home or business to perform an inspection and service for pests and rodents. We travel to sites and inspect for insect activity and signs of an infestation, as well as check the structural integrity of homes and buildings. A pest control performs an inspection to determine the problem and come up with a plan with the client to control an infestation. Treatment plans may include pest identification, exclusion services, pesticide application, and bating or trapping.
Why hire a pest control company when you can do it yourself?
The term “pest” is an unwanted insect or rodent that is destructive to crops, food, livestock, properties, and human health. Pest professionals are trained to search for and find these pests and their habitats in areas you’d never think to look. We then make expert recommendations on treatment and exclusion options that will control and eliminate your pest problem. A licensed pest control professional will then apply products safely and legally.
How long after treatment does it take to see a difference?
Your results will vary depending on what pest you’re dealing with. Different products and treatment methods will have different results. Some pests like ants, require slow-acting pesticides to work their way into colonies to ensure all the pests have been exposed before the product starts working. Other pests, such as wasps, are typically eliminated within one day if nests can be removed or treated with pesticides. Your provider will discuss what expectations to have for the particular treatment and problem you have.
What kind of treatments do exterminators use?
SMART Exterminators offers a wide variety of treatment options. We use the latest products and treatment methods to ensure you get the control you need while being environmentally conscious. Your treatment plan will be dependent on your specific pest control needs.
Why do exterminators treat the exterior of the home when there are pests indoors?
Our treatment methods are designed to stop pests in their tracks before they’re able to enter your home. Exterior service creates an invisible barrier around your home or business to decrease pests’ ability to enter. If pests do happen to find their way indoors, we also have treatment methods that will eliminate them inside your home.
Why do some treatments require more than one service?
Few problems are solved in one service. Many factors dictate how many treatments you will need. Pests behave differently during different seasons. You may only see a few pests in the spring, but as temperatures warm and products applied during your initial service start deteriorating (no products last forever), pests may come back with a vengeance. Having regularly scheduled treatments helps to keep pest pressure around your home as low as possible. In some instances, your provider will need to come for several follow-up services to check monitoring stations and reevaluate the conditions and effectiveness of the chosen treatment method. Then they may use different products depending on the stage of control achieved at that time.
Why have regular pest control services if I don’t see pests inside my home?
Receiving a regular pest control service greatly reduces the risk of an infestation. Having your provider on the property at regular intervals allows us to inspect the structure for new and previous damage, pest-related or not. Consistent preventative pest control keeps the pest pressure on your home or business to an absolute minimum. The cost of pest control is also reduced when you have a protection plan with preventative services.
Is pest control safe for my pets and family?
SMART Exterminators LLC’s number one priority is your family and pet’s safety. We also aim to be environmentally conscious. We only choose products that are EPA approved, and all our pest management professionals have been thoroughly trained on safety regulations and guidelines. The products used in your home are the same used in areas such as schools, commercial kitchens, and hospitals.
What are the most common pests in Northeast Ohio?
The Northeast Ohio ecosystem has a wide variety of insects, which some are considered pests that can be a health concern and nuisance. Some of the most common include different species of:
How are pests entering my home?
There are many ways pests can get indoors. Ants, mice, and spiders can enter your home through the smallest, unnoticeable cracks and crevices as they are looking for food and shelter. To decrease the chances of pests getting inside, be sure to maintain the landscaping of your property. Keep shrubs trimmed, dispose of piles of leaves, and clean up sticks and yard debris to remove potential nesting sites close to your home. Pests like spiders and ants have been known to use gardens, shrubs, and trees as ladders to get into your home through crevices around doors, windows, and cracks in the brick siding. SMART Exterminators LLC will thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior of your home to find potential problem areas that these pests may use as a point of entry. We will then make recommendations on landscape and structural alterations.
How fast can SMART Exterminators get to my home or business?
SMART Exterminators operates Monday through Friday and guarantees a response within 24 hours of your call. We can be easily reached and will provide you with a day and time frame for when we can stop by to perform an evaluation of your property and pest concerns.
What do I need to do before pest control arrives?
SMART Exterminators will provide you with instructions on how to prepare for your specific pest control service. In some instances, we provide you with clear, written instructions on how to properly prepare your home for service. It’s important to maintain a clean and clutter-free home to keep pest feeding sites and harborages to a minimum. Keep countertops clear of dishes, food, and any appliances that can be removed and placed in a safe location. It is also critical to remove clutter and garbage.
Cover any open food and aquariums. If you have children, be sure to pick up any toys and store them in a safe place. Vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing floors also removes dirt and food debris and picks up any pest eggs. This will help avoid unnecessary additional services.
Cleaning under and around movable appliances is a must. Move refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, freezes, and storage shelves to clean the outside of appliances, floors, and walls around them. These areas are some of a pest’s favorite places to find food and shelter!
If you’ve found proof of pests, be sure to inform your pest technician so that these areas can be inspected and evaluated. Keep an eye out for any water leaks or areas that have moisture, as pests are known to move to these areas relentlessly. Scenarios vary widely, so be sure to ask if there are any additional ways to prepare for your service. It’s essential to communicate any information with your technician that you think we may need to know to provide you with the best possible service.
What do I do after the exterminator has completed a treatment?
For the treatments to work as intended, the chemicals need to dry undisturbed for several hours. Depending on your treatment, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours for the treated areas to completely dry and are safe. Before your service, your technician will let you know how long you need to wait before being able to return to the treated areas. If you’ve accidentally left any uncovered food sitting out, it will need to be discarded after treatment as a precaution.
Fight the urge to clean treated areas for at least one week following your service. Cleaning cabinets and other areas after service will cause the products used to be removed prematurely, which will drastically reduce the effectiveness of your treatment. Any cleaning should be completed before the time of your treatment. If additional housekeeping needs to be done, your professional will inform you what to do and how to clean treated areas.
Make any repairs that your pest control technician recommended. We understand that repairs can be a process that takes time. So be sure to ask in what order repairs should be made to make the process manageable for you. Focusing on leaking pipes, cracks and crevices are essential repairs to keep pests out of your home.
Kill and remove any remaining pests. While undesirable, the presence of remaining pests will make themselves known following your treatment. The presence of pests may increase after your service. Treatments force these pests out of their hiding places which means you may see a temporary increase in the number of pests anywhere from days to weeks following your treatment. Dispose of any additional pests you may find in the trash. If you have any concerns about remaining pests after your treatment, feel free to give us a call.
Should I leave while pest control services are being performed?
Your pest professional will advise you whether your family or pets needs to leave the home during service. Inform your technician if you have young children, as they tend to touch anything that’s in their sight. We can avoid potential issues by discussing any sensitive areas such as people, ponds, french drains, and gardens.
Do I need pest control in the wintertime?
Yes, pest control is extremely important in the winter months. Some winter pests can be worse during the cold season. Just because flying insects and some other pests may be gone, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a threat present. Spiders and mice are especially active indoors when outdoor temps are cold. The temperature of your warm home is very attractive to rodents when the environment outdoors is cold. Mice will do whatever is needed to get indoors to find food and shelter. Rodents can cause significant damage to your home during a few short winter months and are a hazard to your family’s health. Many pests can spread diseases and cause allergic reactions, so prevention is critical.