10 best pest control companies in La Mesa, California

In La Mesa, flies, snakes and bees are common pests. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation usually requires a pest control expert's help. These qualified pest specialists in La Mesa can identify the problem and resolve it effectively.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to your home and spread disease.

Bringing in expert pest controllers mitigates these dangers. A pest professional will identify infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from plugging holes to using traps or pesticides. 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 La Mesa

Look for pest control companies in La Mesa 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 La Mesa?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same locations. Here are some indications of common pests in La Mesa.

• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes among rock piles, areas withovergrown grass, debris and wood. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, get in touch with a pest control expert 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 near sink drains, on high shelves and around trash. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, wingless insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in multi-unit apartments and hotels, they can attach to belongings, such as clothing, secondhand furniture, backpacks and purses. They hide in your bed and in cracks and crevices during the day then become active during the night. When you have an infestation, you may see the bugs themselves or find blood smears on your bed or other furniture.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is constantly scratching itself, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do jump up and bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• 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 on curtains, in carpet fibers or in upholstery once inside your home. They may also nest in corners, along baseboards and in the lining or pockets of clothing.

How can you prevent pests in your La Mesa 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 mitigate the risk of pests.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can wreak havoc on your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest control expert 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

Since pests are generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will deter them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure sinks, counters and food storage areas are kept clean and disinfected when not being used. Regularly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Pests can take refuge in leaves, tall grass, standing water and trash in your yard. One of the easiest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with cut grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, find out if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just half an inch in diameter. Repair holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control company 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) 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 following the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

A Qualified Applicator License or Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for pest control technicians to practice in California.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the treatment type, infestation severity, property location and pest type. Pest control providers generally do not recommend getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are hard to access.

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?

How long it takes for your pest issue to go away depends on the infestation nature and extent, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may perceive a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring further treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity after the initial treatment, as it can drive pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should decrease within a few days' time.

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 hours to dry completely, 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 in a hotel or other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount 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 animals, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer environmentally conscious methods for addressing infestations. This involves using methods that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, using humane traps for rodents and using pesticides derived 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.