10 best pest control companies in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In Baton Rouge, you might come across pests such as termites, flies and spiders. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation usually requires a pest control expert's help. Skilled pest specialists in Baton Rouge know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your loved ones and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can decrease these risks. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from closing entry points to using traps or pesticides. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be kept at bay for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Baton Rouge

Look for pest control companies in Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. Here are some indications of common pests in the Baton Rouge area.

• Wasps: The biggest sign of a wasp infestation is simply seeing more wasps around than usual. Many types of wasp nest above ground, but ground wasps generally make their nests in dirt underground. A ground nest may not be noticeable until you step on it. Wasps are known to swarm, and show significantly more aggression than bees. It's crucial to enlist professional help rather than attempting nest removal yourself.
• Termites: Termites eat and nest in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you have spots in your walls that sound hollow when you tap on them, or if you see cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes, droppings or termite swarms.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a increasing amount of spiderwebs in your home. Other telltale signs include egg sacs and lots of other insects, which spiders like to feed on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the brown recluse and black widow. Both have painful, venomous bites.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so living in humid climates or near bodies of water puts your home at a higher risk of infestation. Mosquitoes are active at night and signal their presence through a high-pitched buzzing noise. Bites might not be instantly noticeable, but later the spots will become red and itchy. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases such as malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might nest on your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food residue. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also often make their way indoors. Seeing a trail of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.

How can you prevent pests in your Baton Rouge 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 mitigate the risk of pests.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, pests can significantly harm your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control service to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal gaps or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests primarily seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of six inches off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure sinks, food storage areas and counters stay clean and disinfected between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects, snakes, and small animals can hide in standing water, trash, tall grass and leaves in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard debris-free and properly maintained with cut grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen service in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small access points will prevent insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for instance, can squeeze into holes as small as a half-inch in diameter. Don't neglect holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to make sure you get a pest control professional that can address your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control substances under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification compliant with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

Louisiana requires pest control applicators to be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. They must possess either a Ground Owner-Operator License or an Aerial Owner-Operator License with or without phenoxy endorsement.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest specialist will make a treatment schedule based on the severity of the infestation, location of your property, type of pest and type of treatment. Pest control professionals 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-spot areas.

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others happening year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it takes for your pest issue to go away will vary based on the infestation type and extent, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may perceive a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring supplementary treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity following the initial treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should decrease within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home along with your family and pets while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes a few hours.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company erects a tent over your entire home for three days to release the pesticide. You'll have to vacate your home during this process.

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 remove from the space such as food, plants and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control providers offer green solutions for addressing an infestation. This means they use products with a lower environmental impact than traditional 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 providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a one-time solution, while others offer ongoing treatments to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options with your service provider.

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.