10 best pest control companies in Franklin Square, New York

In Franklin Square, you may encounter pests such as bed bugs, rats and mice. You can try preventative measures to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Skilled pest specialists in Franklin Square know how to correctly 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 family and your pets. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

Hiring pest control professionals can substantially lower the risk of an infestation. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create custom treatment plans that could include plugging gaps, using traps or applying 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 Franklin Square

Look for pest control companies in Franklin Square 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 Square?

While pests are everywhere, not all of them infest the same locations. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in the Franklin Square area:

• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, wingless, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Commonly seen in hotels, hospitals and apartment complexes, they travel on purses, backpacks, clothing and secondhand furniture. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they become active at night. You may have an infestation if you find the bugs themselves or bloody marks on mattresses or bedding.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a wet climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a distinct buzzing noise that signals their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, itchy spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including dengue fever, malaria and West Nile.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one scampering by or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to chew on furniture and emit a distinctive musky smell. They make their nests from gathered bits and torn fibers. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them scratching around in your walls or ceilings.
• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest among rock piles, debris, wood and overgrown grass and are more active during the spring and summer months. Signs of a snake infestation include shed snake skins and snake eggs. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you think a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Wasps: If you see more wasps than usual, and they start to make their way into your home frequently, 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 by yourself, as this can be very risky.
• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also nibble into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create entryways.

How can you prevent pests in your Franklin Square home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, pests 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

Pests primarily seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure food storage areas, sinks and counters stay clean and disinfected between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in trash, standing water, tall grass and leaves. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the simplest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen cover your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off access points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just half an inch in diameter. Repair cracks 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?

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 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.

Pest control professionals servicing New York are required to have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician License in order to legally practice. These licenses are issued by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be limited to the warmer months, while others occur 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 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 activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 vacate your home during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A professional will understand the proper amount of a product to apply, the duration necessary for it to dry, and when it is safe for children and pets to come back to the treated area. Your pest control provider should tell you what items you must take out of the space such as animals, food and plants before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer environmentally conscious methods for treating 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 entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a single treatment or recurring treatments to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options 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.