10 best pest control companies in Bothell, Washington

In Bothell, flies, spiders and bed bugs are common pests. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation usually requires the attention of a pest control expert. Qualified pest experts in Bothell know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve 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 cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

Bringing in exterminators decreases these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that could include plugging entryways, using traps or spraying chemicals. 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 Bothell

Look for pest control companies in Bothell 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 Bothell?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Bothell:

• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in debris, rock piles, wood and overgrown grass. Seeing snake skins and snake eggs indicate an infestation. If you think you might have a snake, sprinkle flour in the suspected areas. If you see trails in the flour, contact a pest control service immediately.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Apartment buildings and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They get into your home by attaching to backpacks, clothing, secondhand furniture and purses. They are inactive during the day, concealing themselves in beds and near sleeping areas. They come out at night to feed. Seeing the bugs themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding indicates you may have an infestation.
• Fleas: If your pet is continually itching, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not live on human skin or hair, they leap to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can spread various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a increasing number of spiderwebs in your home. Other signs include visible egg sacs and lots of other insects, which spiders like to feast on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the brown recluse and black widow. Both have painful, venomous bites.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear scratching in your walls or ceiling, you may have rats. Rats also create access points for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Flies: It's common to spot a few flies inside your home during the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave feces resembling clusters of black dots by drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a wet climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a buzzing noise that signals their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, swollen spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.

How can you prevent pests in your Bothell home?

While an infestation will usually require professional extermination, the best way to avoid pest infestations is to take preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, bugs and small animals 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 access points or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests mainly seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure food storage areas, sinks and counters stay clean and sanitized 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

Trash, standing water, leaves and tall grass 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 easiest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entrances will help keep insects and small animals from invading your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as little as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for gaps, 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) oversees the use of pest control chemicals 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 treatment type, pest type, infestation severity and property location. Pest control services 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 professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others needed year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

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 nature and extent 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 spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive 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 stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when holes and cracks are being sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take a few hours to dry completely, and you'll need to leave 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 release the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay at a hotel or with friends or family.

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 re-enter 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 food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest management companies offer green solutions for treating an infestation. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from organic ingredients.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a one-time treatment or recurring treatments to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options 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.