10 best pest control companies in Hillside, New Jersey

In Hillside, flies, mice and cockroaches are common pests. While you can try DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation usually requires a pest control expert's help. A professional pest control service in Hillside can pinpoint, address and resolve your pest problems.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home, family and pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause long-term damage to the structure of your home and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can substantially reduce the risk of an infestation. They'll determine where pests have nested, and tailor a treatment plan that could include sealing access points, using traps or spraying chemicals. 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 Hillside

Look for pest control companies in Hillside 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 Hillside?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Hillside area:

• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see an unusually high number, 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.
• Ticks: Ticks can easily enter homes by hitching a ride on clothing, pets or shoes, after they're picked up by you or your family while outdoors. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs in upholstery, in carpet fibers or on curtains. Other common nesting spots include in corners, in the lining or pockets of clothing and along baseboards.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one darting through a room or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to chew on furniture and emit a musky smell. They make their nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them rustling in your walls or ceilings.
• 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 an odd 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.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be nocturnal and will flee when a light turns on. However, you may see them running across surfaces if you have a serious infestation. They often nest in kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Signs of cockroaches include egg casings, droppings that look like brown or black specks and brown stains on walls and floors. Cockroaches can also transmit disease and worsen respiratory issues.
• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest sign of a spider infestation. A variety of 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 are harmless, with the exception of the black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that require medical attention.

How can you prevent pests in your Hillside home?

While an infestation will typically require professional help, the best way to avoid infestations is to implement preventative measures.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, pests can significantly affect 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 access points or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are typically looking for food, making food difficult to access will keep them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a short distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep counters, food storage areas and sinks clean and sanitized 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

Insects and small animals can hide in leaves, standing water, tall grass and trash. 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, check 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 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?

When selecting a pest control service, ask the following questions to verify they have the knowledge 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 in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

New Jersy pest control professionals should be licensed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Compliance & Enforcement, having completed 40 hours of training in order to earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the particular pest type, the location of the property, the severity of the infestation and the specific treatment method. In most cases, pest control services advise against relying on a single 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 pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. 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 issue to be resolved depends on the nature and extent of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might see a decline in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring more 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 subside within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can 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.

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?

An experienced pest control professional knows how much 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 taken out of the area, including food, animals and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for addressing infestations. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

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 one-time 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.