10 best pest control companies in Carmel, Indiana

In Carmel, spiders, ticks and mice are common pests. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest problem, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. These licensed pest exterminators in Carmel can identify the problem and resolve it safely and effectively.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause irreversible structural damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

Bringing in pest management professionals mitigates these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or spraying chemicals. When the proper fixes are implemented, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Carmel

Look for pest control companies in Carmel 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 Carmel?

Different pests invade different areas. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in the Carmel area:

• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is always itching, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do leap up to bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Wasps: The biggest sign of a wasp infestation is simply seeing more wasps around than usual. Many types of wasp nest above ground, but ground wasps generally nest in dirt underground. You may not notice a ground nest until you step on it. Wasps are known to swarm, and show significantly more aggression than bees. Be sure to contact pest control rather than attempting to remove a nest yourself.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a rising amount of spiderwebs in your home. Other telltale signs include egg sacs and a plentiful supply of other insects, which spiders like to feed on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the black widow and brown recluse. Both have painful, venomous bites.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice more bees than usual either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An unpleasant odor 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 in that their stings can provoke severe allergic reactions.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling, you may have a rat problem. Rats also create entry points for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Ants: Your home could be invaded by various ant types. Carpenter ants nest in wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also frequently invade homes. Ant trails inside your home signal larger colonies are nearby.

How can you prevent pests in your Carmel 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

Bugs and small animals are troublesome and can cause extensive damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking preventative measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing cracks and holes, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are typically looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a short 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 consistently. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small access points will prevent insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as tiny as a half-inch in diameter. Don't neglect gaps 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?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications according to the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

A Commercial or Private Applicator's License is required for pest control professionals servicing Indiana. Theses licenses are issued by the Office of Indiana State Chemist.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest specialist will create a treatment schedule based on the severity of the infestation, type of treatment, location of your property and type of pest. 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-spot locations.

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing 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 problem will vary based on the nature 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 notice more pest 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 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 hours to dry completely, and you'll have to stay in another location while it dries.

Some services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount 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, plants and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest specialists provide green solutions for treating infestations. These companies employ methods 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 ingredients.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a single treatment or recurring treatments to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options 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.