10 best pest control companies in Florence, Alabama

In Florence, snakes, flies and spiders are common pests. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation most likely requires a pest control professional's help. These qualified pest exterminators in Florence can diagnose the problem and treat it safely and effectively.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and loved ones. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. They'll determine where pests have nested, and tailor a treatment plan that could include closing off entry points, using traps or applying chemicals. Once the right solution is implemented, pests can be contained for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Florence

Look for pest control companies in Florence 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 Florence?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. Here are some indications of common pests in Florence.

• 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 will also chew into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create entryways.
• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest in rock piles, wood, overgrown grass and debris and are more active during the warmer months of the year. Signs of a snake infestation include snake eggs and shed snake skins. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you suspect a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, contact a pest control professional right away.
• Spiders: Seeing more spiderwebs and spiders than usual is the clearest sign of spider infestations. Additional clues include a significant number of other insects for the spiders to feed on and visible egg sacs. While spiders found in homes are generally harmless, black widows and brown recluses deliver venemous bites that require medical attention.
• Bees: If you see more bees than usual inside or around your home, have dark stains on your walls or hear humming inside the walls, you may have a bee infestation. You might also notice a strange smell coming from your walls. This happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, causing the growth of mold and fungi. Bees can easily harm your loved ones and pets, as bee stings often cause allergic reactions.
• Wasps: If you see more wasps than usual, and they start to getting into your home regularly, you may have a nest nearby. Nests can be above or below ground, which you may not realize until you accidentally disturb one. Wasps show more aggression than bees and will swarm. Do not attempt wasp nest removal on your own, as this can be extremely dangerous.

How can you prevent pests in your Florence home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, bugs and small animals can significantly impact your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control company to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal cracks or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are usually looking for food, making food difficult to access will keep them from invading your home. Food should be a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a small distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep sinks, food storage areas and counters clean and sanitized when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash frequently. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, leaves, tall grass and standing water give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard tidy 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 cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small access points will discourage insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as tiny as half an inch in diameter. Don't neglect cracks in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control service, ask the following questions to verify they have the expertise to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified according to EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Pest control professionals in Alabama are required to have a Commercial Applicator Permit. They are certified through the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the property location, infestation severity, pest type and treatment type. Pest control services 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 hard to access.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are carried out in all seasons. 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 extent 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 further treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should lessen within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay 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 can typically take 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 release 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 knows 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 specialists offer eco-friendly methods for treating an infestation. This involves using products that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using 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 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.