10 best pest control companies in East Chicago, Indiana

In East Chicago, you might encounter pests such as spiders, rats and ants. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation often requires the help of a pest control expert. Certified pest specialists in East Chicago know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Pests that invade your property put your home, family and pets in danger. Insects and small animals can cause irreversible damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

A licensed pest control company can lower these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or applying pesticides. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in East Chicago

Look for pest control companies in East Chicago 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 East Chicago?

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

• Ants: Many different types of ants can infest your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily or greasy food debris. Both types bite, unlike pavement ants, which can also often find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it points to a larger infestation nearby.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create access points for themselves by eating through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one darting through a room or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to gnaw on furniture and emit a musky odor. They make their nests from gathered bits and torn fibers. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them rustling in your walls or ceilings.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting among overgrown grass, rock piles, wood and debris. Seeing snake skins and snake eggs indicate an infestation. If you think you might have a snake, sprinkle flour in the suspected areas. If you see trails in the flour, contact a pest control professional for help removing the snake.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are active at night and tend to flee when you turn on a light. Still, you may catch a cockroach or two on the run if you have an infestation. Their nests tend to be around basements, kitchens and bathrooms. Cockroaches often leave brown smudges on walls and floors, and droppings that look like black pepper flakes around your home. Cockroaches can spread disease through contamination and exacerbate respiratory problems.
• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the clearest indication of a spider infestation. A plentiful supply 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 aren't dangerous, with the exception of the black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that need medical attention.
• Ticks: Ticks can easily enter homes by hitching a ride on shoes, pets or clothing, after they're picked up by you or your family while outdoors. Once inside, a female tick can lay her eggs on curtains, in carpet fibers or in upholstery. Other common nesting spots include along baseboards, in the lining or pockets of clothing and in corners.

How can you prevent pests in your East Chicago home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be challenging, so preventative measures are the most effective strategy to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can implement the following measures to keep pests away before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues in your home and health if not addressed quickly. Talk to a pest control professional about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off access points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are usually 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 sinks, food storage areas and counters are kept 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

Trash, standing water, tall grass and leaves offer ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard tidy and well-maintained with mowed grass and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, check if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small openings will prevent 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 holes in your roof or siding and seal damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on keeping pests out and can help you with this task.

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?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

A Commercial or Private Applicator's License is required for pest control professionals servicing Indiana. Theses licenses are issued by the Office of Indiana State Chemist.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest control specialist will make a treatment schedule based on the severity of the infestation, type of pest, type of treatment and location of your property. Pest control technicians 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 pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. 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 notice a decrease 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 push 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 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 a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

Some services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

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 tell you what items you must remove from the space such as animals, plants and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control providers offer green solutions for treating infestations. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps 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 single 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.