10 best pest control companies in Bossier City, Louisiana

In Bossier City, mosquitos, snakes and cockroaches are common pests. You can try DIY measures to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you currently have an infestation. Qualified pest experts in the Bossier City area have the skills to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Bringing in exterminators reduces these risks. They'll identify where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include sealing access points, using traps or spraying chemicals. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be kept in check for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Bossier City

Look for pest control companies in Bossier City 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 Bossier City?

Different pests invade different areas. The following pests are common in the Bossier City area, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be most active during nighttime and will scatter when a light turns on. However, you may see them during the day if there is a serious infestation. They often nest in basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Signs of cockroaches include droppings that look like brown or black specks, brown stains on walls and floors and egg casings. Cockroaches can also transmit disease and worsen respiratory issues.
• Ticks: Ticks can easily enter homes by hitching a ride on clothing, shoes or pets, after they're picked up by you or your family while outdoors. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs in upholstery, on curtains or in carpet fibers. Other common nesting spots include in corners, along baseboards and in the lining or pockets of clothing.
• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also eat into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create access points.
• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so living in damp climates or near bodies of water puts your property 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 swollen and itchy. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases such as malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in wood, debris, overgrown grass and rock piles. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to contact a pest control company.
• Beetles: A variety of beetles can enter into your home and cause substantial damage. Carpet beetles will damage upholstered furniture, bedding and carpets. Biscuit beetles make their way into products such as spices, rice, pasta, seeds and beans. While beetles are mostly harmless to your health, some can trigger allergic reactions.

How can you prevent pests in your Bossier City home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be a headache, so preventative measures are the most effective method to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can take the following steps to keep pests away before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause significant damage to your home and health if not addressed promptly. Talk to a pest control expert 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

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, standing water, leaves and tall grass offer ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with a mowed lawn and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entryways will help keep insects and small animals from infiltrating 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 pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control service with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

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

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

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in the warmer months, while others happen 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?

The time it will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the nature and extent of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might see a decline in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring additional treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should decrease 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 some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 stay in a hotel or other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A service professional will know how much of a particular product to use, how long it takes to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the area that's been treated. Before applying any treatment, they should educate you on what you must remove from the affected space, such as plants, food and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for treating infestations. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing areas where pests might get in, using humane traps for rodents and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

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.