10 best pest control companies in Howell, New Jersey

In Howell, you can face pests such as ticks, flies and rats. You can try preventative solutions to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. A professional pest control service in Howell can safely pinpoint, treat and resolve your pest problems.

Pests that invade your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

An experienced pest control company can lower these risks. A pest professional will identify infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from closing entry points to using traps or 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 Howell

Look for pest control companies in Howell 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 Howell?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. The following pests are common in Howell, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Ticks: Though ticks usually stay close to the ground outside, they can enter your home via shoes, clothing or pets. Inside, female ticks lay eggs in carpet fibers, on curtains or in upholstery. Nests may also be hidden in corners, along baseboards and in the lining or pockets of clothing.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice more bees than usual either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An odd smell radiating from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets in that their stings can provoke severe allergic reactions.
• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create access points for themselves by eating through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Termites: Termites feed on cellulose fibers found in wood. Signs of an infestation include cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes, termite swarms, droppings and wood that emits a hollow sound when you tap on it.
• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's frequently scratching itself, you may have a flea problem. Although fleas can't live on human skin or hair, if you have an infestation, you'll often find red, itchy marks near your feet and ankles from them jumping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can invade your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily or greasy food debris. Both types bite, unlike pavement ants, which can also often find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it indicates a larger infestation nearby.

How can you prevent pests in your Howell home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are things you can do before pests become a problem to prevent them from getting a foothold in your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly affect 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 gaps 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 infesting your home. 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 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

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 most straightforward 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

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

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control company that's equipped to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications consistent with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected 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 specific treatment method, the severity of the infestation, the particular pest type and the location of the property. In most cases, pest control companies advise against relying on a one-time treatment to get rid of household pests, as there will likely be insects at different 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 happening 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 will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the infestation type and severity and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring supplementary treatments. You may also notice increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, this should subside 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 entry points. However, if your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to 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 seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

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, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest treatment companies offer green solutions for managing an infestation. This involves using techniques 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 organic materials.

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 single treatment, while others offer ongoing treatments 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.