10 best pest control companies in Lake Stevens, Washington

Pests most often found in Lake Stevens are flies, spiders and bed bugs. You can try preventative measures to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Skilled pest control professionals in the Lake Stevens area have the skills to inspect your home, use the right treatments and solve your pest problems.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and family. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can significantly minimize the risk of an infestation. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create custom treatment plans that could include closing off entryways, using traps or spraying chemicals. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be controlled for the long haul.

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

Look for pest control companies in Lake Stevens 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 Stevens?

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

• Ticks: Though ticks usually stay close to the ground outside, they can get into your home via pets, shoes or clothing. Inside, female ticks can lay eggs in upholstery, in carpet fibers or on curtains. Nests may also be hidden along baseboards, in the lining or pockets of clothing and in corners.
• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the clearest indication of a spider infestation. Many 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 aren't dangerous, with the exception of the black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that need medical attention.
• Flies: It's common to see a few flies inside your home during the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave droppings resembling clusters of black dots by sinks, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in wood, debris, rock piles 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 seek professional pest management help.
• Rats: Signs of a rat problem include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats can nibble through doors, walls and food packaging to create access points for themselves.
• Ants: Your home could be infested with various ant types. Carpenter ants burrow into wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also frequently infest homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger colonies are nearby.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Apartment complexes 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. At night, they come out to feed. Seeing the bugs themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding suggests you may have an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Lake Stevens home?

While an infestation will typically require professional help, the best way to avoid pest infestations is to take preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can wreak havoc on your home and health if not addressed promptly. 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

Pests mainly seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of half a foot 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 neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Pests can hide in trash, standing water, leaves and tall grass in your yard. One of the simplest 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 small openings will stop insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as half an inch wide. Be sure to address cracks in your roof or siding and seal damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest exclusion services and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

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.

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?

The treatment plan a pest professional recommends will vary based on the severity of the infestation, the particular pest type, the specific treatment method and the location of the property. In most cases, pest control services advise against relying on a single treatment to eliminate household pests, as there will likely be insects at various stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hidden locations.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer months and others continuing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments once per quarter to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest issue to disappear 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 further treatments. You may also notice increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, 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 entry points. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 find another place to stay.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is all right for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as animals, plants and food must be cleared from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for treating infestations. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas where pests can gain access, humanely trapping 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 if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a one-time treatment or continuous services 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.