10 best pest control companies in El Cajon, California

Pests such as flies, snakes and bees can regularly invade houses in El Cajon. You can take action yourself to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you currently have an infestation. These skilled pest experts in El Cajon can diagnose the problem and treat it effectively.

Pests that invade your property put your home and loved ones in danger. Insects and small animals can cause long-term structural damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Bringing in exterminators mitigates these risks. A technician will identify nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or applying pesticides. 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 El Cajon

Look for pest control companies in El Cajon 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 El Cajon?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. Check for the following indications of common El Cajon pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Spiders: A growing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest indication of a spider infestation. Many 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 are harmless, with the exception of the brown recluse and black widow. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that require medical attention.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats can eat through walls, food packaging and doors to create more entry points for themselves.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but a significant number could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around trash, sink drains and high shelves. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can infest your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like greasy food. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also often find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it indicates a larger infestation nearby.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in overgrown grass, wood, debris and rock piles. 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, reach out to a pest control professional for help removing the snake.
• Moths: Common moths that invade homes include clothes moths and pantry moths. Clothes moths target wool and cotton, leaving behind tunnels, trenches, silky furrows and small tubes, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths bore into plastic food bags and create a web-like residue in pantries. Ripe fruit, fermented sugars and light attract moths.

How can you prevent pests in your El Cajon home?

While an infestation will typically require professional extermination, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to take preventative measures.

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 company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests typically seek out food sources, limiting their food access will discourage them from sticking around. Place food at least half a foot above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep food storage areas, counters and sinks clean and disinfected when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage regularly, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small openings will discourage 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 fix 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 qualified to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

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 in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

A Qualified Applicator License or Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for pest control technicians to practice in California.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will hinge on factors such as the treatment type, infestation severity, pest type and property location. Generally, pest control companies do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different phases of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in hard-to-access places.

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

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home along with your family and pets while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes a few hours.

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 elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount 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 food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for managing an infestation. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. 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?

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 ongoing 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.