10 best pest control companies in Cary, North Carolina

In Cary, you may face pests such as ants, flies and mosquitos. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest problem, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. Experienced pest experts in Cary know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to structural damage and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause long-term property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

An experienced pest control company can reduce 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 haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Cary

Look for pest control companies in Cary 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 Cary?

Different pests invade different areas. Here are some signs of common pests in the Cary area.

• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer, but if you see a significant number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots around trash, near sink drains and on high shelves. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats can nibble through walls, food packaging and doors to create more entry points for themselves.
• 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 points to a larger infestation nearby.
• Ticks: While ticks typically stay close to the ground outside, they can attach to your pets, shoes and clothes and make their way indoors. Female ticks then lay eggs on curtains, in upholstery or in carpet fibers once inside your home. They may also nest in the lining or pockets of clothing, in corners and along baseboards.
• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so you’re at a higher risk of an infestation if you live in a humid climate or have bodies of water nearby. Mosquitoes are nocturnal — as the sun goes down, they emit a high buzzing noise and bite. You may not notice a bite until a few hours later, at which point the area around the bite appears raised and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a increasing amount of spiderwebs in your home. Other signs include visible egg sacs and lots 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.

How can you prevent pests in your Cary home?

While an infestation will probably require professional extermination, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to take preventative measures.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs 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 expert. 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 sticking around. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep counters, sinks and food storage areas clean and sanitized 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, snakes, and small animals can hide in tall grass, trash, standing water and leaves in your yard. One of the easiest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard debris-free and properly maintained with cut grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, find out if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen service in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small entryways will help keep insects and small animals from invading your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as tiny as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for holes, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in keeping pests out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to make sure you get a pest control professional that can meet your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the application of pest control chemicals 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.

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

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in the warmer months, while others last across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from developing.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it takes for your pest issue to disappear will vary based on the infestation type 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 notice increased activity after the initial treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding spots. 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 remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

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 find alternative accommodations during that time.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is all right for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as food, animals and plants must be cleared from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest management companies offer eco-friendly methods for managing an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made 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 available options 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.