10 best pest control companies in Allentown, Pennsylvania

In Allentown, bed bugs, ants and bees are common pests. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation often requires a pest control company's help. Certified pest exterminators in the Allentown area have the skills to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go unaddressed can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause irreversible structural damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control pros can substantially minimize the risk of an infestation. They'll determine where pests have nested, and create a treatment plan that could include closing off entry points, using traps or applying chemicals. The right pest solution can take care of your pest infestation for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Allentown

Look for pest control companies in Allentown with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

What are common pests in Allentown?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same places. Check for the following indications of common Allentown pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a flat reddish-brown appearance. Multi-unit apartments and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into clothing, used furniture, backpacks and purses. They take refuge in beds and couches by day, then bite at night. If you spot the insects themselves or find bloody marks on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug infestation.
• Spiders: The best way to know you have a spider infestation is a noticeable increase in spiderwebs in and around your home. Visible egg sacs and lots of other insects that the spiders can feed on are some other indications of an infestation. Aside from dangerous brown recluses and black widows, which have painful, venemous bites, most spiders found in homes are harmless.
• Termites: Termites feed on the cellulose fibers found in wood. They may be present in your home if you notice termite swarms, cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes, droppings or wood that sounds hollow when you knock on it.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and scatter when you switch a light on. With a heavy infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Cockroaches often leave brown stains on walls and floors, egg casings and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen respiratory issues and allergies.
• Wasps: More wasps than usual in and around your house is a big sign of an infestation. Wasps nest above or below ground. Ground nests are generally hard to spot, so you may not notice them until you disturb them. Because wasps are so aggressive, it's important that you call a pest control company to remove the nest rather than attempt to remove it yourself. Otherwise, you may risk multiple stings or a severe allergic reaction.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes in wood, debris, rock piles and overgrown grass. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by pouring some flour out where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Beetles: Several beetle species might invade your home and cause significant damage. Carpet beetles can ruin bedding, carpets and furniture, and biscuit beetles infest dried goods, such as pasta, rice, spices, grains, beans and seeds. Though usually harmless to your health, some kinds of beetles can trigger allergic reactions.

How can you prevent pests in your Allentown home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to prevent pest infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues in your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest specialist about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your home. Their recommendations may include sealing off access points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are typically looking for food, making food difficult to access will keep them from invading your home. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a modest distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep food storage areas, counters and sinks clean and sanitized when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash consistently. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, leaves, tall grass and standing water give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard clean and well-maintained with cut grass and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, check if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off ways will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address holes in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest prevention and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control professional that's equipped to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Pennslyvania pest control professionals are required to be licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Division of Health and Safety. They should have earned either a Commercial/Public Applicator License or Registered Technician Certififcation in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest specialist will create a treatment schedule based on the type of pest, severity of the infestation, location of your property and type of treatment. Pest control technicians typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are frequently at various stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hard-to-find areas.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are carried out throughout the year. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to resolve your pest problem will vary based on the nature and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting extra treatments. Alternatively, you may notice more pests following the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take a few hours to dry completely, and you'll need to stay out of the house during this period.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A professional will understand the proper amount of a product to apply, the duration necessary for it to dry, and when it is safe for children and pets to come back to the treated area. Your pest control provider should tell you what items you must take out of the space such as food, plants and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest management companies provide environmentally friendly methods for managing infestations. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing up gaps for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a single treatment or ongoing treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the packages they offer.

Our methodology for selecting pest control companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score. We review national pest control companies against our full pest control methodology. We score pest control companies based on service options, safety and certifications, service guarantees and customer service.