10 best pest control companies in Gadsden, Alabama

Common pests such as snakes, flies and mice can easily get into homes in Gadsden. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest issue, but you may need to use a pest control company for an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in Gadsden can pinpoint, treat and solve 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 contaminate your food, cause irreversible damage to your home’s structure and spread disease.

Bringing in exterminators mitigates these dangers. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create custom treatment plans that could include plugging cracks, using traps or applying 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 Gadsden

Look for pest control companies in Gadsden 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 Gadsden?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. Check for these signs of common Gadsden pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Spiders: Seeing more spiderwebs and spiders than usual is the most obvious evidence of spider infestations. Additional clues include visible egg sacs and a significant number of other insects for the spiders to feed on. While spiders found in homes are generally not dangerous, black widows and brown recluses deliver painful, venemous bites that require medical attention.
• Termites: Termites eat and nest in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you have spots in your home that sound hollow when you knock on them, or if you see cracked or bubbling paint, termite swarms, droppings or mud tubes.
• Beetles: Different kinds of beetle breeds can make their way into homes. Carpet beetles eat the natural fibers in carpets, upholstered furniture and bedding. Biscuit beetles infest spices, beans, rice, grains, pasta and seeds. Beetles are generally harmless to your health, but some may induce allergic reactions.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in rock piles, wood, overgrown grass and debris. 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.
• Wasps: More wasps than usual in and around your house is a big sign of an infestation. Wasps nest above or below ground. Ground nests are generally hidden, so you may not notice them until you disturb them. Because wasps are so aggressive, it's important that you reach out to a pest management service to remove the nest rather than attempt to remove it yourself. Otherwise, you may risk multiple stings or a severe allergic reaction.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling, you may have a rat infestation. Rats chew through food bags, doors and walls, forming access points for themselves.

How can you prevent pests in your Gadsden home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs 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 service. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key 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 sanitized 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

Pests can take refuge in leaves, standing water, trash and tall grass in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard debris-free and properly maintained with a neatly trimmed lawn and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off ways will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as tiny as half an inch wide. Be sure to address gaps in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on keeping pests out and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

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

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?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the severity of the infestation, the specific treatment method, the location of the property and the particular pest type. In most cases, pest control companies 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 areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer seasons and others ongoing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest problem to be resolved 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 more treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can push pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should decrease within a matter of days.

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 holes and cracks. 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.

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?

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 plants, food and animals must be removed from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest treatment companies provide green solutions for addressing an infestation. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional 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?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a one-time treatment or continuous treatments to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the service packages with your 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.