10 best pest control companies in Evanston, Illinois

Common pests such as mice, rats and spiders can regularly get into houses in Evanston. You can take action yourself to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Certified pest specialists in Evanston know how to accurately identify pests, apply suitable treatments and resolve your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to damage to your property and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to the structure of your home and spread disease.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that may include plugging gaps, using traps or spraying pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be resolved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Evanston

Look for pest control companies in Evanston 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 Evanston?

Different pests infest different areas. Here are some indications of common pests in the Evanston area.

• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the clearest 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 aren't dangerous, with the exception of the brown recluse and black widow. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that require medical attention.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a reddish-brown flat appearance. Multi-unit apartments and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into backpacks, clothing, purses and used furniture. They hide in beds and sleeping areas by day, then bite at night. If you see the insects themselves or find bloody marks on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug 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 gnaw on furniture and have a distinct musky scent. They make nests with foraged materials and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in debris, wood, rock piles and overgrown grass. 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 service immediately.
• 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 nibble through food packaging, doors and walls to create access points for themselves.
• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see significantly more than is normal, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near sinks, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths often invade homes. Clothes moths damage wool and cotton garments, leaving silky furrows, tunnels, trenches and small tubes behind, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths bore holes in plastic food bags and leave a web-like residue in the corners of your pantry. Fermented sugar, ripe fruit and light all attract moths.

How can you prevent pests in your Evanston 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 mitigate the risk of pests.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Insects 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 usually seek out food sources, limiting their food access will discourage them from sticking around. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep counters, food storage areas and sinks clean and sanitized 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

Insects, snakes, and small animals can hide in trash, leaves, tall grass and standing water in your yard. One of the easiest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with cut grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, find out if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just a half-inch in diameter. Repair gaps in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest exclusion services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to make sure you hire a pest control professional that can handle your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs 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.

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 schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the infestation severity, property location, treatment type and pest type. Pest control companies generally do not advocate for getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are challenging to get to.

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

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to treat your pest issue 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 force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing up entry points. But if a pesticide is used, it may need several hours to dry, and you'll have to leave the house while it dries.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company sets up a tent over your entire home for three days to release the pesticide. You'll have to find another place to stay during this process.

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 re-enter 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 control providers offer green solutions for treating infestations. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional 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 ingredients.

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 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.