10 best pest control companies in Joliet, Illinois

Pests such as mice, spiders and ants can often get into living spaces in Joliet. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest issue, but you may need to use a pest control company for an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in Joliet can safely diagnose, treat and solve your pest problems.

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

A reputable pest control company can reduce these risks. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from closing entry points to using traps or pesticides. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest infestation for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Joliet

Look for pest control companies in Joliet 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 Joliet?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species differ. Here are some indications of common pests in the Joliet area.

• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart past you unexpectedly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a distinct musky smell and damage household items by nibbling through them. They build nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear rustling inside your walls or ceiling.
• Spiders: A growing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest indication 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 black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that need medical attention.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats can eat through walls, doors and food packaging to create more entry points for themselves.
• Bees: Indications of a bee infestation include hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls, finding dark smears on your walls and seeing more bees than usual. A strange odor may also come from your walls. This happens when mold and fungi grow inside due to bees dying or honey seeping into the walls. Bees can also harm your family and pets, as their stings can cause allergic reactions.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths commonly enter households as pests. Clothes moths eat wool and cotton, leaving tunnels, silky furrows, trenches and small tubes, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths make holes in plastic food packaging, leaving a web-like residue in pantry corners and on or in dried goods. Moths are naturally attracted to light, fermented sugar and ripe fruits.

How can you prevent pests in your Joliet home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause significant damage to your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest control expert about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. 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 typically looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from infesting your home. Food should be a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a short distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep food storage areas, sinks 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 standing water, leaves, 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, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small entrances will help keep insects and small animals from entering your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as small 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.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control service with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

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.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the governing body that provides licenses to pest control professionals servicing Illinois. Pesticide applicators should have a Commercial Applicator's License to work in the state.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will depend on factors such as the infestation severity, property location, pest type and treatment type. Generally, pest control companies do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in hard-to-access places.

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in the warmer months, while others last across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from starting.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest issue to go away 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 additional treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, this should decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when holes and cracks are being sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take several hours to dry, and you'll need to leave the house during this period.

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 apply the pesticide. You'll have to seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

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 take out of the space such as plants, food and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest management companies offer environmentally friendly methods for addressing an infestation. These companies employ methods that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

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.