10 best pest control companies in Dothan, Alabama

Common pests such as ants, fleas and snakes can often infest homes in Dothan. While you can try DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation usually requires a pest control professional's help. A professional pest control service in Dothan can safely pinpoint, address and resolve your pest problems.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and loved ones. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from closing entry points to using traps or chemicals. The right pest solution can take care of your pest problem for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Dothan

Look for pest control companies in Dothan 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 Dothan?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. If you think you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Dothan area:

• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's frequently scratching itself, you may have a flea problem. Although fleas can't live on human skin or hair, if you have an infestation, you'll often find red, itchy marks near your feet and ankles from them leaping up and biting. Fleas also spread disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Ants: Your home could be infested with various ant types. Carpenter ants burrow into wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also commonly get into homes. Ant trails inside your home signal larger colonies are nearby.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in rock piles, wood, debris and overgrown grass. 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 seek professional pest management help.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown, wingless insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment complexes and hotels, they can cling to belongings, such as purses, clothing, used furniture and backpacks. They hide in your bed and in small cracks and crevices during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may spot the insects or find blood smears on your mattress or other furniture.
• Bees: If you see more bees than usual inside or around your home, have dark stains on your walls or hear humming inside the walls, you may have a bee infestation. You might also notice a strange smell coming from your walls. This happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, causing the growth of mold and fungi. Bees can easily harm your family or your pets, as bee stings often provoke allergic reactions.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are nocturnal, but you may see some during the day if you have a serious infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around bathrooms, basements and kitchens. Cockroaches commonly leave brown marks on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble crushed black pepper. Cockroaches spread disease and can even exacerbate respiratory problems.

How can you prevent pests in your Dothan home?

While an infestation will usually require professional help, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to implement preventative steps.

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

Pests mainly seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of six inches off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure sinks, food storage areas and counters stay clean and sanitized between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas clean.

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 are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points will discourage insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address openings in your roof or siding and seal 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?

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 compliant with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

Pest control professionals in Alabama are required to have a Commercial Applicator Permit. They are certified through the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional recommends will vary based on the location of the property, the specific treatment method, the particular pest type and the severity of the infestation. In most cases, pest control providers advise against relying on a single treatment to get rid of household pests, as there will likely be insects at various stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot areas.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are carried out in all seasons. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

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 type and severity 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 additional treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should subside within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are 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 treatments can be especially time-consuming like termite fumigation. The pest control provider erects a tent around your home, which is left in place for three days to release the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to find alternative accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional knows how much 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, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest exterminators offer green solutions for addressing an infestation. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional 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 packages 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.