10 best pest control companies in Independence, Kentucky

Pests regularly encountered in Independence are bees, bed bugs and fleas. You can take action yourself to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Skilled pest exterminators in the Independence area have the expertise to inspect your home, apply appropriate treatments and resolve your pest problems.

Pests that infest your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can reduce these risks. A technician will locate nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or spraying 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 Independence

Look for pest control companies in Independence 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 Independence?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. Here are some indications of common pests in the Independence area.

• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths are common house pests. Clothes moths damage wool and cotton garments, leaving trenches, silky furrows, tunnels and small tubes behind, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths puncture in plastic food bags and leave a web-like material in the corners of your pantry. Fermented sugar, ripe fruit and light all attract moths.
• 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 drawn to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a buzzing noise that indicates their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, swollen spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including dengue fever, malaria and West Nile.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear a buzzing or humming sound inside your walls, notice an increased number of bees either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An unpleasant odor coming 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 because their stings can provoke serious allergic reactions.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer, but if you see a significant 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.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart past you unexpectedly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a musky smell and damage household items by gnawing through them. They build nests from scavenged materials and torn fibers. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear scratching sounds inside your walls or ceiling.

How can you prevent pests in your Independence home?

While an infestation will typically require professional extermination, the best way to prevent infestations is to take preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues in your home and health if not addressed promptly. Talk to a pest control expert about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your home. Their recommendations may include sealing off cracks and holes, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are commonly looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a short distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep sinks, counters and food storage areas clean and disinfected 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 standing water, leaves, trash and tall grass. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the easiest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, check if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small entryways will help keep insects and small animals from infiltrating your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as little as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for gaps, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in keeping pests out of your home.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control substances under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification compliant with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

A Commercial, Non-Commercial or Private Applicator's License is required for pest control professionals providing services in Kentucky. These licenses are issued through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional recommends will vary based on the particular pest type, the specific treatment method, the severity of the infestation and the location of the property. In most cases, pest control providers advise against relying on a one-time treatment to get rid of 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 specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in 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?

How long it will take for your pest issue to disappear depends on the type and severity of the infestation 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 further treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should taper off within a few 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 up entry points. 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 services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to release the pesticide. You must find alternative accommodations during that time.

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 food, plants and animals must be taken out of the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for treating infestations. This involves using methods that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, humanely trapping rodents or applying pesticides made from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a single treatment or continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the options available.

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.