10 best pest control companies in Lakeside, Florida

Pests such as fleas, snakes and flies can regularly make their way into living spaces in Lakeside. Implementing preventative measures on your own can help you prevent pest problems, but calling a pest control company is best if you notice an existing infestation. Certified pest specialists in the Lakeside area have the knowledge to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family members and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create personalized treatment plans that could include sealing cracks, using traps or spraying pesticides. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Lakeside

Look for pest control companies in Lakeside 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 Lakeside?

Different pests invade different places. The following pests are common in Lakeside, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• 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 spread disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a damp climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a distinct buzzing noise that notifies you of their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, swollen spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.
• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see significantly more than is normal, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near kitchen sinks, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting among overgrown grass, wood, rock piles and debris. 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.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and run away when you switch a light on. With a major infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Cockroaches often leave egg casings, brown stains on walls and floors and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.
• Rats: Signs of rats include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats can eat through food packaging, walls and doors to create access points for themselves.

How can you prevent pests in your Lakeside home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be challenging, so preventative measures are the most effective way to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can take the following steps to keep pests away before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are disruptive and can cause extensive damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking preemptive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing cracks and holes, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests primarily 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 sinks, counters and food storage areas stay clean and sanitized 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, snakes, and small animals can hide in trash, tall grass, standing water and leaves 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, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off ways will discourage insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as little as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address cracks in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on keeping pests out and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control company that's qualified to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates 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.

Florida requires pest control technicians to be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Private, Public or Commercial Applicator Licenses are all available through this office.

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 location of the property and the specific treatment method. In most cases, pest control providers advise against relying on a single treatment to get rid of household pests, as there will likely be insects at different stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot locations.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer seasons 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?

The time it will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the nature and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might see a decline in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring additional treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can push pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should lessen within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can 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 stay out of your home during this period.

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

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 food, plants and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for managing infestations. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, humanely trapping rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a one-time treatment or continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the treatments 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.