10 best pest control companies in Chester, Pennsylvania

Pests commonly found in Chester are mosquitos, flies and mice. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation often requires the attention of a pest control company. A professional pest control service in Chester can pinpoint, address and resolve your pest problems.

Pests that infest your property put your home and loved ones at risk. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause long-term damage to your home’s structure and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can reduce these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that could include closing off cracks, using traps or applying pesticides. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Chester

Look for pest control companies in Chester 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 Chester?

Different pests invade different regions. Here are some indications of common pests in the Chester area.

• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so living in damp climates or near bodies of water puts your home at a higher risk of infestation. Mosquitoes are active at night and signal their presence through a sharp buzzing noise. Bites might not be instantly noticeable, but later the spots will become red and itchy. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases such as West Nile, dengue fever and malaria.
• 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 droppings resembling clusters of black dots by drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and scatter when you switch a light on. With a major infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Cockroaches often leave brown stains on walls and floors, egg casings and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen respiratory issues and allergies.
• Wasps: The biggest sign of a wasp infestation is simply seeing more wasps around than usual. Many kinds 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. It's crucial to enlist professional help rather than attempting nest removal on your own.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart past you unexpectedly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a noticeable musky smell and damage household items by gnawing through them. They build nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear scratching sounds inside your walls or ceiling.
• 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 radiating 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 cause serious allergic reactions.
• Rats: Signs of a rat problem include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats can nibble through walls, doors and food packaging to create access points for themselves.

How can you prevent pests in your Chester 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

Since pests are generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will discourage them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure food storage areas, sinks and counters are clean and disinfected when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Pests can take refuge in standing water, leaves, tall grass and trash in your yard. One of the easiest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with a neatly trimmed lawn 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

Closing off ways will stop insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as half an inch wide. Be sure to address gaps in your roof or siding and repair damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest prevention and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control company with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

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 consistent with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

Pennslyvania pest control professionals are required to be licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Division of Health and Safety. They should have earned either a Commercial/Public Applicator License or Registered Technician Certififcation in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will hinge on factors such as the pest type, property location, infestation severity and treatment type. Generally, pest control companies do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different phases of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in difficult-to-reach areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer months and others ongoing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest problem to go away depends on the nature and extent of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might see a decline in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring more treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should decrease within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to 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 leave the house during this period.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company erects a tent over your entire home for three days to release the pesticide. You'll have to seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

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 re-enter 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 plants, animals and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest treatment companies provide environmentally friendly methods for treating infestations. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing up gaps for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from organic ingredients.

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 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.