10 best pest control companies in Downers Grove, Illinois

In Downers Grove, mice, rats and spiders are the most common source of issues. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest problem, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. These skilled pest control professionals in Downers Grove can pinpoint the problem and treat it safely and effectively.

Pests that infest your property put your home and family in danger. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Bringing in exterminators decreases these dangers. A technician will identify nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or spraying pesticides. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be controlled for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Downers Grove

Look for pest control companies in Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove?

While pests are everywhere, not all of them infest the same areas. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in Downers Grove:

• Mice: If mice have infiltrated your home, you might catch a quick view of one or find droppings around the size of a grain of rice. Mice often chew on furniture and have a musky scent. They make nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Flies: It's common to spot a few flies inside your home during the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave feces resembling clusters of black dots by drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a rising number of spiderwebs in your home. Other telltale signs include 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.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless, reddish-brown, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment complexes and hotels, they can attach to belongings, such as secondhand furniture, purses, backpacks and clothing. They hide in your bed and in cracks and crevices during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may spot the insects or find blood stains on your mattress or other furniture.
• Rats: You may have a rat problem if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also nibble into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create access points.

How can you prevent pests in your Downers Grove home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to mitigate the risk of pests.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can wreak havoc on your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest control expert about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off small entry points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

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, sinks and food storage areas stay clean and disinfected 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

Trash, tall grass, leaves and standing water give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with a mowed lawn and trimmed foliage is one of the most straightforward ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entryways will help keep insects and small animals from entering your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as small 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 pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control provider that's prepared to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates 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.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the governing body that provides licenses to pest control professionals servicing Illinois. Pesticide applicators should have a Commercial Applicator's License to work in the state.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

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

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest issue to go away depends on the infestation type and severity and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring additional treatments. You may also see increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, this should taper off within a few days.

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

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 stay elsewhere.

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 food, animals 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 products with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

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.