10 best pest control companies in Branford, Connecticut

In Branford, mice, cockroaches and flies are the most frequent source of problems. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest issue, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. These certified pest specialists in Branford can diagnose the problem and resolve it effectively.

Pests that infest your property put your home and loved ones in danger. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

An experienced pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that may include sealing entryways, using traps or spraying chemicals. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be kept at bay for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Branford

Look for pest control companies in Branford 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 Branford?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. The following pests are common in Branford, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, hear scratching in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats also create access points for themselves by gnawing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one running out of the corner of your eye or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to gnaw on furniture and emit a distinctive musky smell. They make their nests from found materials and shredded fiber. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them in your walls or ceilings.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and flee when you turn a light on. With a major infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Cockroaches often leave brown stains on walls and floors, egg casings and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around high shelves, trash and sink drains. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Bees: An uptick in bees inside or around your home, humming within your walls or dark stains on your walls maypoint to a bee infestation. You may also smell an odd odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, causing mold and fungi growth. Bees can easily harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially causing allergic reactions.
• 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 can lay her eggs in carpet fibers, on curtains or in upholstery. Other common nesting spots include in corners, in the lining or pockets of clothing and along baseboards.
• Beetles: Multiple beetle species can enter homes and damage your home and belongings. Carpet beetles can destroy carpets, upholstered furniture and bedding, while biscuit beetles get into seeds, spices, pasta, rice and beans. Beetles are generally harmless as they don't spread disease or bite, but they can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

How can you prevent pests in your Branford home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are things you can do before pests become a problem to prevent them from getting a foothold in your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, bugs and small animals can significantly impact your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control professional 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

As pests are typically looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from infesting your home. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a small distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep food storage areas, sinks 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

Insects, snakes, and small animals can hide in standing water, tall grass, leaves and trash in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard debris-free and properly maintained with a neatly trimmed lawn 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 ways will discourage insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as tiny as half an inch wide. Be sure to address cracks in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest exclusion services and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control expert that's equipped to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

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

Pest control technicians in Connecticut must pass an exam to get a Supervisory, Operational or Private Applicator License issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest control expert will make a treatment schedule based on the type of pest, type of treatment, severity of the infestation and location of your property. Pest control companies typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are frequently at different stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot locations.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer months and others continuing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments once per quarter to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest issue to go away depends on the nature 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 further treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can push pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should subside 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 entry points are 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 come back 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, animals and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest exterminators offer green solutions for addressing infestations. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, capturing rodents or applying pesticides made 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.