10 best pest control companies in Bellevue, Washington

In Bellevue, flies, bed bugs and spiders are the most common source of problems. You can take action yourself to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you already have an infestation. Qualified pest specialists in the Bellevue area have the expertise to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home, family and pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent structural damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control pros can significantly lower the damage from an infestation. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that may include plugging entryways, using traps or applying chemicals. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be controlled for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Bellevue

Look for pest control companies in Bellevue 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 Bellevue?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in the Bellevue area:

• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless, flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment buildings and hotels, they can cling to belongings, such as clothing, purses, backpacks and used furniture. They hide in your bed and in cracks and crevices during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may see the bugs themselves or find blood smears on your mattress or other furniture.
• Spiders: A growing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest indication of a spider infestation. Plenty of insects in the area for spider food and the presence of egg sacs are some more signs you may have a spider problem. Most spiders you may find in your home aren't dangerous, with the exception of the black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that need medical attention.
• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest among overgrown grass, rock piles, debris and wood and are more active during the spring and summer months. Signs of a snake infestation include snake eggs and shed snake skins. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you suspect a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, contact a pest control professional right away.
• Ants: Your home could be invaded by various ant types. Carpenter ants burrow into wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also commonly infest homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger ant nests are nearby.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer, but if you see more than usual, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots on high shelves, near sink drains and around trash. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Wasps: The biggest sign of a wasp infestation is simply seeing more wasps around than usual. Many kinds of wasp nest above ground, but ground wasps generally nest 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. Be sure to contact pest control rather than attempting nest removal on your own.

How can you prevent pests in your Bellevue home?

While an infestation will usually require professional help, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to implement preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are disruptive and can cause significant damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking preemptive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing small entry points, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, standing water, leaves and trash create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your lawn and trimming foliage are among the simplest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small entryways will help keep insects and small animals from entering your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as small as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for holes, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, ask the following questions to verify they have the expertise to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the application 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.

Those using pesticides in Washington must earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the infestation severity, pest type, property location and treatment type. Pest control companies generally do not recommend getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are challenging to get to.

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in the warmer months, while others last across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from getting a foothold.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest issue to disappear depends on the infestation type and severity and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may notice a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring more treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. However, if your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

Some services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is all right for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as plants, food and animals must be cleared from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for treating an infestation. This involves using products that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. 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 single treatment, while others offer continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the options available 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.