10 best pest control companies in Brooklyn, New York

Common pests such as rats, bed bugs and mice can easily infest living spaces in Brooklyn. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation often requires the attention of a pest control expert. Skilled pest exterminators in Brooklyn know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

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

Bringing in expert pest controllers decreases these risks. They'll determine where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include closing off access points, using traps or applying pesticides. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be controlled for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Brooklyn

Look for pest control companies in Brooklyn 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 Brooklyn?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. Check for these signs of common Brooklyn pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Rats: If you hear scratching in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long, you may have a rat infestation. Rats eat through food bags, doors and walls, forming access points for themselves.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, wingless, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Commonly seen in hotels, apartment complexes and hospitals, they attach to purses, backpacks, secondhand furniture and clothing. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they become active at night. You may have an infestation if you find the bugs themselves or bloody marks on mattresses or other furniture.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can invade your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also often find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it indicates a larger infestation nearby.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear buzzing noises inside your walls, notice more bees than usual either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An odd smell 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 allergic reactions.
• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest in overgrown grass, debris, wood and rock piles and are more active during the spring and summer months. Signs of a snake infestation include snake eggs and shed snake skins. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you suspect a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Flies: It's common to see a few flies inside your home in the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave feces resembling clusters of black dots by sinks, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Brooklyn home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation usually requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to reduce the risk of infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Insects and small animals can cause serious issues for your home and health when left unchecked. The best way to stop these infestations before they start is to work with a pest control company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests usually seek out food sources, limiting their food access will prevent them from invading your home. Place food at least half a foot above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep food storage areas, sinks and counters clean and disinfected when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage consistently, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in tall grass, standing water, leaves and trash. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the simplest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just half an inch in diameter. Repair gaps in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to ensure you get a pest control provider that can address your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates 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 in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

Pest control professionals servicing New York are required to have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician License in order to legally practice. These licenses are issued by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the particular pest type, the severity of the infestation, the location of the property and the specific treatment method. In most cases, pest control companies advise against relying on a one-time treatment to eliminate household pests, as there will likely be insects at different stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot locations.

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing 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 needed to treat your pest issue will vary based on the type and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may notice less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting further treatments. Alternatively, you may see more pest activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can 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 stay out of your home during this period.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company sets up a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to find another place to stay during this process.

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 plants, food and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control companies provide green solutions for addressing infestations. This involves using techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. 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 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 single 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.