10 best pest control companies in Brookline, Massachusetts

Pests frequently seen in Brookline are mosquitos, rats and ants. Implementing preventative measures by yourself can help you prevent pest issues, but contacting a pest control company is recommended if you have an existing infestation. Licensed pest experts in Brookline know how to correctly identify pests, apply suitable treatments and resolve your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage 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 foods and spread disease.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. A pest professional will identify infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from sealing cracks and holes to using traps or pesticides. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Brookline

Look for pest control companies in Brookline 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 Brookline?

Different pests infest different places. Here are some indications of common pests in the Brookline area.

• Ticks: While ticks typically stay close to the ground outside, they can hitch a ride on your pets, shoes and clothes and enter your home. Female ticks will then lay eggs on curtains, in upholstery or in carpet fibers once inside your home. They may also nest in corners, in the lining or pockets of clothing and along baseboards.
• Mosquitos: Standing water lures mosquitoes, so you’re at a higher risk of an infestation if you live in a damp climate or have bodies of water nearby. Mosquitoes are nocturnal — as the sun goes down, they emit a distinctive buzzing noise and bite. You may not notice a bite until a few hours later, at which point the area around the bite turns into a bump and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but a significant number could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around trash, sink drains and high shelves. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless, reddish-brown, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Common in hospitals, hotels and apartment complexes, they hitch a ride on purses, secondhand furniture, clothing and backpacks. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they become active at night. You may have an infestation if you spot the bugs themselves or blood smears on mattresses or other furniture.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one darting through a room or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to gnaw on furniture and emit a musky smell. They make their nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them rustling in your walls or ceilings.
• Ants: Your home could be invaded by various ant types. Carpenter ants nest in wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also commonly get into homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger colonies are nearby.

How can you prevent pests in your Brookline home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are troublesome and can cause significant damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control company 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 generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will discourage them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure counters, sinks and food storage areas are clean and sanitized when not being used. Regularly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entrances will discourage insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as tiny as half an inch in diameter. Don't neglect holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in pest prevention.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to make sure you hire a pest control provider that can address your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use 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 compliant with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources issues commercial applicator licenses and certifications to those providing pest control services in Massachusetts. Professionals must have a Commercial Applicator License or Certification in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will depend on factors such as the pest type, infestation severity, property location and treatment type. 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 pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are carried out in all seasons. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it takes for your pest issue to disappear will vary depending on the infestation nature and severity, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may notice a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring additional treatments. On the other hand, you might see increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding places. Fortunately, this should get better within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing holes and cracks. But if a pesticide is used, it may need hours to dry completely, and you'll have to vacate your home 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?

An experienced pest control professional knows how much of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be removed from the area, including animals, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for treating an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing areas where pests might get in, trapping 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 one-time treatment or continuous treatments to tackle a stubborn pest problem. Be sure to discuss the service packages 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.