10 best pest control companies in Cornelius, North Carolina

Common pests such as spiders, snakes and fleas can regularly infest homes in Cornelius. You can try DIY measures to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you already have an infestation. A professional pest control service in Cornelius can safely diagnose, treat and resolve your pest problems.

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 contaminate your food, cause long-term damage to the structure of your home and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that could include sealing entryways, using traps or spraying chemicals. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be kept at bay for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Cornelius

Look for pest control companies in Cornelius 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 Cornelius?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. Check for these signs of common Cornelius pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Termites: Termites feed on cellulose fibers found in wood. Signs of an infestation include termite swarms, cracked or bubbling paint, droppings, mud tubes and wood that emits a hollow sound when you tap on it.
• Spiders: A growing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest indication of a spider infestation. A variety of insects in the area for spider food and the presence of egg sacs are some more signs you may have a spider problem. Most spiders you may find in your home don't pose a health risk, with the exception of the black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that need medical attention.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are mostly active at night, but you may see some during the day if you have a major infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around basements, kitchens and bathrooms. Cockroaches commonly leave brown marks on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble crushed black pepper. Cockroaches spread disease and can even aggravate respiratory problems.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so you’re at a higher risk of an infestation if you live in a damp climate or have bodies of water nearby. Mosquitoes are active at night — as the sun goes down, they emit a loud buzzing noise and feed. 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 dengue fever, malaria and West Nile.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting among rock piles, overgrown grass, wood and debris. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to contact a pest control company.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths are often seen as household pests. Clothes moths feed on wool and cotton, leaving silky furrows, trenches, tunnels and small tubes, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths make holes in plastic food packaging, leaving a web-like residue in pantry corners and on or in dried goods. Moths are naturally attracted to ripe fruits, fermented sugar and light.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear a buzzing or humming sound 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 allergic reactions.

How can you prevent pests in your Cornelius home?

While an infestation will typically require professional extermination, the best way to avoid pest infestations is to implement preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly impact your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control company to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal cracks or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, leaves, standing water and trash create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your lawn and trimming foliage are among the simplest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen operate in your location.

Seal off pest entrances

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

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, ask the following questions to verify they have the skills to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified following EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

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 expert's recommended treatment frequency will hinge on factors such as the infestation severity, pest type, property location and treatment type. Generally, pest control companies do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages 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 seasons and others occurring throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments once per quarter to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to solve your pest issue will vary based on the nature 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 drive 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 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 be out of the house.

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 apply the pesticide. You'll have to seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A professional will understand the proper amount of a product to apply, the duration necessary for it to dry, and when it is safe for children and pets to come back to the treated area. Your pest control provider should let you know what items you must clear from the space such as food, animals and plants before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for treating infestations. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional 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 natural sources.

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 one-time treatment or ongoing 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.