10 best pest control companies in Huntsville, Alabama

In Huntsville, snakes, flies and spiders are the most frequent cause of issues. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation usually requires a pest control professional's help. These experienced pest specialists in Huntsville can identify the problem and treat it effectively.

Pests that invade your property put your home and loved ones at risk. Insects and small animals can cause permanent property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can significantly lower the risk of an infestation. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create custom treatment plans that could include sealing cracks, using traps or applying pesticides. When the proper fixes are implemented, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Huntsville

Look for pest control companies in Huntsville 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 Huntsville?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. Check for the following signs of common Huntsville pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Mice: If mice have infiltrated your home, you might see one out of the corner of your eye or find droppings around the size of a grain of rice. Mice often damage furniture and have a noticeable musky odor. They make nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest among wood, overgrown grass, debris and rock piles and are more active during the spring and summer months. Signs of a snake infestation include snake eggs and shed snake skins. To test for a snake infestation, sprinkle flour near where you suspect a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer months, but if you see a large number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots around trash, on high shelves and near sink drains. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Wasps: If you see more wasps than usual, and they start to make their way into your home regularly, you may have a nest nearby. Nests can be above or below ground, which you may not realize until you step on one. Wasps show more aggression than bees and will swarm. Avoid attempting to remove a wasp’s nest by yourself, as this can be very risky.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also eat into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create entryways.
• Spiders: A growing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest sign of a spider infestation. Plenty 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 brown recluse and black widow. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that require medical attention.
• Ticks: While ticks usually stay close to the ground outside, they can hitch a ride on your pets, shoes and clothes and make their way indoors. Female ticks then lay eggs in upholstery, on curtains or in carpet fibers once inside your home. They may also nest along baseboards, in the lining or pockets of clothing and in corners.

How can you prevent pests in your Huntsville home?

While an infestation will probably require professional help, the best way to prevent infestations is to implement preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are troublesome and can cause extensive damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control company about taking proactive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing cracks and holes, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests mainly 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 neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, leaves, standing water and tall grass provide ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard clean and well-maintained with a mowed lawn and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off ways will stop 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 holes in your roof or siding and repair 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?

When selecting a pest control service, ask the following questions to verify they have the skills 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.

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 recommends 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 providers advise against relying on a single 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 areas.

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing 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?

The time needed to get rid of 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 further 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 subside within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to 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 leave the house 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 apply the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to stay elsewhere.

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 remove from the space such as food, plants and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest specialists offer environmentally conscious methods for treating infestations. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps or applying pesticides made 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 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.