10 best pest control companies in Franklin, Indiana

In Franklin, mice, flies and bed bugs are common pests. Taking preventative measures yourself can help you avoid pest issues, but reaching out to a pest control company is recommended if you have an existing infestation. Licensed pest experts in Franklin know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your loved ones and your pets. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring pest control experts can substantially reduce the damage from an infestation. They'll determine where pests have nested, and create a treatment plan that could include blocking entry points, using traps or spraying 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 Franklin

Look for pest control companies in Franklin 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 Franklin?

While pests are everywhere, not all of them invade the same areas. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Franklin area:

• 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 sink drains, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a distinct musky smell and damage household items by gnawing through them. They build nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear noises inside your walls or ceiling.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation 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 chew through walls and doors to create access points.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are nocturnal, but you may see a few during the day if you have a severe infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Cockroaches commonly leave brown smears on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble crushed black pepper. Cockroaches transmit disease and can even exacerbate respiratory problems.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting among overgrown grass, debris, wood 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, contact a pest control professional for help removing the snake.

How can you prevent pests in your Franklin 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 reduce the risk of infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, pests can significantly harm your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control professional to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal gaps 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 sticking around. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a short distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep sinks, food storage areas and counters clean and disinfected when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash regularly. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, standing water, leaves and tall grass 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 service your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing 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 holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control service with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification compliant with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

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?

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

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others needed 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 takes for your pest problem to disappear depends on the infestation type and severity, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may perceive a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring additional treatments. On the other hand, you might see increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should subside within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can 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 stay in another location while it dries.

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 elsewhere.

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 come back to 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?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for addressing infestations. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from organic ingredients.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a one-time solution, while others offer continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the options available with your service provider.

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.