10 best pest control companies in Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Pests such as fleas, snakes and flies can regularly infest homes in Jacksonville Beach. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation often requires the help of a pest control expert. Qualified pest control professionals in Jacksonville Beach know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. They'll determine where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include closing off access points, using traps or applying chemicals. The right pest solution can take care of your pest problem for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Jacksonville Beach

Look for pest control companies in Jacksonville Beach 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 Jacksonville Beach?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species vary. Check for the following indications of common Jacksonville Beach pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest among rock piles, wood, overgrown grass and debris and are more active during the warmer months of the year. Signs of a snake infestation include snake eggs and shed snake skins. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you think a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Fleas: If your pet is continually itching, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not live on human skin or hair, they jump up to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can transmit various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer months, but if you see a significant number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots around trash, near sink drains and on high shelves. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can infest your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both types bite, unlike pavement ants, which can also commonly make their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it indicates a larger infestation nearby.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats can eat through food packaging, doors and walls to create more entry points for themselves.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a noticeable musky smell and damage household items by nibbling through them. They build nests from found materials and shredded fiber. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear scratching sounds inside your walls or ceiling.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a growing amount of spiderwebs in your home. Other telltale signs include egg sacs and a plentiful supply of other insects, which spiders like to feast on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the brown recluse and black widow. Both have painful, venomous bites.

How can you prevent pests in your Jacksonville Beach home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to keep them at bay.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

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

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are usually looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from infesting your home. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a small distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep sinks, counters and food storage areas 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 leaves, standing water, trash and tall grass. 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 are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for instance, can squeeze into holes as little as half an inch in diameter. Don't neglect holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in pest prevention.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, 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) monitors pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified following EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Florida requires pest control technicians to be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Private, Public or Commercial Applicator Licenses are all available through this office.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the location of the property, the severity of the infestation, the specific treatment method and the particular pest type. In most cases, pest control companies advise against relying on a single 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 hidden 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 needed to treat your pest issue will vary based on the nature and extent of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting extra treatments. Alternatively, you may notice more pest activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should lessen within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take a few hours to dry completely, and you'll need to leave the house during this period.

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 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 let you know what items you must remove from the space such as plants, animals and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest treatment companies offer green solutions for managing infestations. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing up gaps for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from organic ingredients.

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.