10 best pest control companies in Elizabethtown, Kentucky

In Elizabethtown, you may encounter pests such as rats, snakes and mice. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation usually requires a pest control professional's help. Experienced pest specialists in the Elizabethtown area have the knowledge to inspect your home, implement appropriate treatments and resolve your pest problems.

Letting a pest issue go untreated can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family members and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Hiring pest control pros can substantially minimize the risk of an infestation. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create custom treatment plans that could include closing off cracks, using traps or applying chemicals. The right pest solution can take care of your pest problem for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Elizabethtown

Look for pest control companies in Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. Check for these signs of common Elizabethtown pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• 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 noticeable musky scent. They construct nests with foraged materials and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, hear skittering in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats will also eat into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create access points.
• Beetles: Different kinds of beetle breeds can infest homes. Carpet beetles eat the natural fibers in carpets, bedding and upholstered furniture. Biscuit beetles infest spices, pasta, beans, rice, seeds and grains. Beetles don't transmit disease or bite, but some may trigger allergic reactions.
• 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 active at night — as the sun goes down, they emit a distinctive buzzing noise and bite. 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 dengue fever, West Nile and malaria.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is if you 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.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might invade your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food debris. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also frequently make their way indoors. Spotting a trail of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer, but if you see more than usual, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots on high shelves, around trash and near sink drains. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Elizabethtown home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are troublesome and can cause significant damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control service about taking preventative measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing small entry points, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are usually in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will prevent 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. Regularly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, leaves, trash and standing water 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, check whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small openings will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as little 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 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) governs the application of pest control chemicals 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.

A Commercial, Non-Commercial or Private Applicator's License is required for pest control professionals providing services in Kentucky. These licenses are issued through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

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?

The time needed to resolve your pest problem will vary based on the type and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may notice less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting extra treatments. Alternatively, you may notice more pests following the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should subside within a few days.

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 a few hours before it's 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 in a hotel or other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is safe for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as animals, plants and food must be removed from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for treating an infestation. These companies employ methods that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

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 options available.

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.