10 best pest control companies in Dover, Delaware

In Dover, mosquitos, flies and mice are common pests. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation often requires a pest control professional's help. A professional pest control service in Dover can safely pinpoint, address 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 cause permanent structural damage, contaminate foods 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 may include plugging entryways, using traps or spraying 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 Dover

Look for pest control companies in Dover 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 Dover?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same areas. The following pests are common in the Dover area, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Mosquitos: Standing water lures 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 nocturnal — 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 turns into a bump and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as West Nile, malaria and dengue fever.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one running out of the corner of your eye or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to chew on furniture and emit a musky odor. They make their nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them in your walls or ceilings.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is frequently scratching, 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.
• Flies: It's common to see a few flies inside your home during the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave droppings resembling clusters of black dots by sinks, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Rats: Signs of a rat problem include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats can chew through doors, food packaging and walls to create access points for themselves.
• Wasps: If you see more wasps than usual, and they start to make their way into your home regularly, you may have a nest nearby. Nests can be above or below ground, which you may not realize until you accidentally disturb one. Wasps show more aggression than bees and will swarm. Do not attempt wasp nest removal by yourself, as this can be very risky.

How can you prevent pests in your Dover home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to keep them at bay.

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 half a foot off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure counters, food storage areas and sinks stay clean and sanitized between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas neat.

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 grass and trimming foliage are among the easiest 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 entry points 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 gaps, 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?

To find a pest control provider 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) governs the application of pest control substances 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.

In Delaware, pest control applicators must have a Commercial Applicator for Hire License from the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Specialty certifications are also available for professionals who wish to further specialize their area of expertise.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest specialist will create a treatment schedule based on the severity of the infestation, location of your property, type of pest and type of treatment. Pest control professionals typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are frequently 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?

How long it takes for your pest issue to disappear will vary based on the infestation nature 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 further treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity following the initial treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should subside within a few days' time.

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 holes and cracks. However, if your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay at a different location.

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 return to 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 animals, plants and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest exterminators offer eco-friendly methods for managing infestations. These companies employ products 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?

Most pest control providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a one-time solution, while others offer continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options with your service 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.