10 best pest control companies in Burlington, North Carolina

Common pests such as mice, snakes and fleas can often make their way into living spaces in Burlington. You can try DIY measures to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Experienced pest specialists in Burlington 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 pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Bringing in pest management professionals mitigates these dangers. They'll determine where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include blocking access points, using traps or applying chemicals. 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 Burlington

Look for pest control companies in Burlington 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 Burlington?

Different pests invade different areas. Here are some indications of common pests in the Burlington area.

• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create entryways for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Flies: It's common to spot 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 drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might scurry by briefly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a musky smell and damage household items by chewing through them. They build nests from scavenged materials and torn fibers. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear noises inside your walls or ceiling.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Multi-unit apartments and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They get into your home by attaching to used furniture, clothing, purses and backpacks. They are inactive during the day, hiding in beds and near sleeping areas. At night, they come out to feed. Seeing the insects themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding suggests you may have an infestation.
• Fleas: If your pet is constantly scratching, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not live on human skin or hair, they jump up to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can carry various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in overgrown grass, rock piles, debris and wood. 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, reach out to a pest control professional for help removing the snake.

How can you prevent pests in your Burlington 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 prevent pest infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, bugs and small animals can significantly affect 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 usually looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a small distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep counters, sinks and food storage areas clean and disinfected 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 and small animals can hide in trash, tall grass, standing water and leaves. 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, check if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

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

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) oversees 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 in accordance with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

Professionals using pesticides in North Carolina must earn a Commercial Ground Applicator, Public Ground Operator, Private Applicator or Aerial Applicator License issued by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others happening 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 get rid of your pest issue will vary based on the type and extent 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 additional treatments. Alternatively, you may see more activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should lessen within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home along with your family and pets while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes a few hours.

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 apply the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay at a different location.

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 food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest treatment companies provide environmentally conscious methods for treating an infestation. These companies employ techniques 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, humanely trapping rodents 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 continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the options available.

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.