10 best pest control companies in La Porte, Texas

In La Porte, ants, mosquitos and flies are common pests. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation usually requires the help of a pest control professional. A professional pest control service in La Porte can safely pinpoint, treat and solve your pest problems.

Letting a pest problem go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family and your pets. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can reduce these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or spraying pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be resolved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in La Porte

Look for pest control companies in La Porte 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 Porte?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. Check for the following indications of common La Porte pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Bees: more bees inside or around your home, buzzing within your walls or dark stains on your walls maysignal a bee infestation. You may also smell a strange odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey builds up inside, leading to mold and fungi growth. Bees can harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially causing allergic reactions.
• Wasps: More wasps than usual in and around your house is a big sign of an infestation. Wasps nest above or below ground. Ground nests are generally hidden, so you may not notice them until you disturb them. Because wasps are so aggressive, it's important that you reach out to a pest management service to remove the nest rather than attempt to remove it yourself. Otherwise, you may risk multiple stings or a severe allergic reaction.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can take over your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like greasy food. 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 points to a larger infestation nearby.
• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's scratching more than usual, you may have a flea problem. Although fleas can't live on human skin or hair, if you have an infestation, you'll often find red, itchy marks near your feet and ankles from them jumping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a flat reddish-brown appearance. Multi-unit apartments and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into clothing, backpacks, purses and secondhand furniture. They take refuge in beds and sleeping areas by day, then come out while you're sleeping. If you spot the insects themselves or find bloody marks on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your La Porte home?

While an infestation will usually require professional help, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to implement 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 small entry points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests typically seek out food sources, limiting their food access will stop them from infesting your home. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep counters, food storage areas and sinks clean and sanitized when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage regularly, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects, snakes, and small animals can take refuge in standing water, tall grass, leaves and trash in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clear of debris and properly maintained with a neatly trimmed lawn and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

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

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified according to EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Texas pest control professionals must register their business and be licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture in order to legally provide pesticide services. They should have earned either a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the treatment type, infestation severity, pest type and property location. Pest control services 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 challenging to get to.

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others occurring year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to resolve your pest problem 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 further treatments. Alternatively, you may see more pest 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 should be able to 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 several hours to dry, and you'll need to leave the house during this period.

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 apply the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

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 exterminators provide green solutions for addressing infestations. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, capturing rodents or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

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 ongoing treatment to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the options 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.