10 best pest control companies in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Pests regularly seen in Lake Oswego are ants, bees and rats. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation often requires a pest control company's help. Skilled pest experts in the Lake Oswego area have the expertise to inspect your home, use appropriate treatments and solve your pest problems.

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 pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can reduce these risks. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from closing entry points to using traps or chemicals. The right pest solution can take care of your pest infestation for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Lake Oswego

Look for pest control companies in Lake Oswego 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 Lake Oswego?

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

• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer months, but if you see more than usual, 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.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can invade your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also often find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it signifies a larger infestation nearby.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in rock piles, debris, wood and overgrown grass. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to contact a pest control company.
• Ticks: Ticks usually stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can get into your home on your pets, clothing or shoes. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs in upholstery, on curtains and in carpet fibers. You may also see nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a rising amount of spiderwebs in your home. Other signs include visible 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 Lake Oswego home?

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

Since pests are generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will discourage them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure counters, food storage areas and sinks are kept clean and sanitized 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

Tall grass, leaves, trash and standing water create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your lawn and trimming foliage are among the easiest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small access points will discourage 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 blocking pests.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to ensure you get a pest control company that can address your specific needs.

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.

Pest control professionals in Oregon must have earned a Commercial Applicator License through the Oregon Department of Agriculture in order to provide services.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest specialist will recommend a treatment schedule based on the type of treatment, type of pest, severity of the infestation and location of your property. Pest control technicians 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 professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others needed 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 get rid of your pest issue will vary based on the type and extent of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may notice less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting further treatments. Alternatively, you may see more pests following the first treatment, as it can drive 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 for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing holes and cracks. But if a pesticide is used, it may need hours to dry completely, and you'll have to stay in another location while it dries.

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

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A service professional will know how much of a particular product to use, how long it takes to dry and when children and pets can safely come back to the area that's been treated. Before applying any treatment, they should educate you on what you must remove from the affected space, such as food, animals and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for treating an infestation. This means they use products with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, using humane traps for rodents and using less harmful 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.