10 best pest control companies in Bristol, Connecticut

In Bristol, mice, cockroaches and rats are the most frequent cause of issues. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation often requires a pest control professional's help. A professional pest control service in Bristol can safely diagnose, treat and resolve your pest problems.

A pest infestation can lead to damage to your property and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Bringing in expert pest controllers reduces these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create personalized treatment plans that could include closing off entryways, using traps or applying chemicals. The right pest solution can take care of your pest infestation for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Bristol

Look for pest control companies in Bristol 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 Bristol?

Different pests invade different regions. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in Bristol:

• Mice: If mice have infiltrated your home, you might see one out of the corner of your eye or find droppings around the size of a grain of rice. Mice often damage furniture and have a noticeable musk. They construct nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be most active during nighttime and will scatter when a light turns on. However, you may see them running across surfaces if there is a serious infestation. They often nest in kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Signs of cockroaches include egg casings, brown stains on walls and floors and droppings that look like brown or black specks. Cockroaches can also transmit disease and aggravate respiratory issues.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in debris, wood, 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.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, wingless, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Common in hotels, hospitals and apartment buildings, they get into homes through clothing, purses, backpacks and used furniture. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they come out at night. You may have an infestation if you find the bugs themselves or bloody marks on mattresses or other furniture.
• Ticks: Though ticks typically stay close to the ground outside, they can make their way into your home via pets, clothing or shoes. Inside, female ticks lay eggs in carpet fibers, on curtains or in upholstery. Nests may also be hidden in the lining or pockets of clothing, along baseboards and in corners.
• Rats: You may have a rat problem if you see a rat, hear scratching in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats will also chew into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create entryways.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice a surge in bee activity either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. A strange scent coming from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets because their stings can cause serious allergic reactions.

How can you prevent pests in your Bristol home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be a headache, so preventative measures are the most effective way 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 wreak havoc on your home and health if not addressed quickly. Talk to a pest control expert about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. 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 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 counters, food storage areas and sinks are kept clean and sanitized 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

Tall grass, standing water, leaves and trash create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your grass and trimming foliage are among the easiest 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 operate in your location.

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 little as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address holes in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest prevention and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification compliant with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

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?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the property location, pest type, infestation severity and treatment type. Pest control companies generally do not advocate for 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 occurring year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest problem to go away depends on the type and severity of the infestation and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring supplementary treatments. You may also notice increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, this should decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing up entry points. But if a pesticide is used, it may need several hours to dry, and you'll have to leave the house while it dries.

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 apply 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 food, animals and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest exterminators provide environmentally friendly methods for managing an infestation. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps or applying pesticides made from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a one-time treatment or ongoing treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the treatments 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.