10 best pest control companies in Kenmore, Washington

In Kenmore, you may come across pests such as flies, spiders and bed bugs. Implementing preventative measures by yourself can help you avoid pest issues, but reaching out to a pest control company is recommended if you have an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in Kenmore can safely diagnose, treat and solve your pest problems.

Letting a pest problem go untreated can introduce a variety of risks to you, your loved ones and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause irreversible structural damage to your home, contaminate your food 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 plugging 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 Kenmore

Look for pest control companies in Kenmore 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 Kenmore?

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

• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats also create access points for themselves by gnawing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so you’re at a higher risk of an infestation if you live in a humid climate or have bodies of water nearby. Mosquitoes are nocturnal — as the sun goes down, they emit a distinctive buzzing noise and bite. You may not notice a bite until a few hours later, at which point the area around the bite appears raised and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Ants: Your home could be invaded by various ant types. Carpenter ants burrow into wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also frequently invade homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger ant nests are nearby.
• 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 will then lay eggs in carpet fibers, on curtains or in upholstery once inside your home. They may also nest in the lining or pockets of clothing, along baseboards and in corners.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Multi-unit apartments and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They get into your home by clinging onto used furniture, purses, backpacks and clothing. They are inactive during the day, hiding in beds and near sleeping areas. They come out at night to feed. Spotting bed bugs themselves or bloody marks on your mattress or bedding means you may have an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Kenmore home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to reduce the risk of infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can wreak havoc on your home and health if not addressed quickly. Talk to a pest specialist about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your home. Their recommendations may include sealing off access points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

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 six inches 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 clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in standing water, tall grass, leaves and trash. 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 access points will help keep insects and small animals from infiltrating your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as tiny 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 pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control service, ask the following questions to verify they have the expertise to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification in accordance with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

Those using pesticides in Washington must earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest control expert will recommend a treatment schedule based on the severity of the infestation, type of treatment, type of pest and location of your property. Pest control companies typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are frequently at various stages of their life cycles and 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 happen 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?

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 see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting extra 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 can remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. 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.

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?

An experienced pest control professional knows how much of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be removed from the area, including food, animals and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control services offer environmentally friendly methods for treating an infestation. This involves using products that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas where pests can gain access, capturing rodents 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 to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a single service or continuous treatments to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the service packages with your 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.