10 best pest control companies in Berkeley, New Jersey

Pests frequently found in Berkeley are ticks, flies and rats. You can try DIY solutions to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you already have an infestation. These certified pest specialists in Berkeley can pinpoint the problem and resolve it effectively.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home, family and pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to your home’s structure and spread disease.

Bringing in pest management professionals reduces these dangers. A technician will identify nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or spraying chemicals. When the proper fixes are implemented, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Berkeley

Look for pest control companies in Berkeley 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 Berkeley?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species vary. Check for the following signs of common Berkeley pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Ticks: Ticks can easily enter homes by hitching a ride on pets, shoes or clothing, after they're picked up by you or your family while outdoors. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs on curtains, in upholstery or in carpet fibers. Other common nesting spots include in corners, in the lining or pockets of clothing and along baseboards.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes in rock piles, wood, overgrown grass and debris. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, get in touch with a pest control expert right away.
• Wasps: A surge of wasp activity, including frequent indoor appearances, may signal that there's a nest nearby. Wasp nests can be above ground, but they can also be underground, which you may not realize until you step on one. More hostile than bees, wasps readily swarm, so don't attempt to remove a wasp nest on your own. Contact a pest control professional to take care of a wasp nest as they have the tools to do so safely.
• Bees: Indications of a bee infestation include finding dark smears on your walls, hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls and seeing more bees than usual. An odd odor may also come from your walls. This happens when mold and fungi grow inside due to bees dying or honey seeping into the walls. Bees can also harm your family and pets, given their stings can provoke allergic reactions.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a damp climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are drawn to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a high-pitched buzzing noise that notifies you of their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, itchy spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including West Nile, malaria and dengue fever.

How can you prevent pests in your Berkeley home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to keep them at bay.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

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

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are often in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will deter them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure sinks, food storage areas and counters are clean and disinfected when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

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

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 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 in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

New Jersy pest control professionals should be licensed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Compliance & Enforcement, having completed 40 hours of training in order to earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will hinge on factors such as the treatment type, pest type, property location and infestation severity. Generally, pest control professionals do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in difficult-to-reach areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer months and others occurring throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest problem to be resolved depends on the type and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might notice a decrease in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring additional treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can push pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should lessen within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to remain 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 can typically take a few hours.

Certain treatments can be especially time-consuming like termite fumigation. The pest control provider erects a tent around your home, which is left in place for three days to release the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to find alternative accommodations.

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 animals, food and plants must be cleared from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest management companies offer green solutions for treating infestations. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a single service or continuous treatments to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the options with your 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.