10 best pest control companies in Lexington, Massachusetts

Pests most often found in Lexington are rats, mice and spiders. You can try preventative solutions to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Skilled pest exterminators in the Lexington area have the expertise to inspect your home, apply the right treatments and resolve 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 pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

A professional pest control company can reduce these risks. A technician will identify nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as shutting off access points, capturing pests 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 Lexington

Look for pest control companies in Lexington 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 Lexington?

While pests are all over, not all of them infest the same areas. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Lexington:

• Spiders: Seeing more spiderwebs and spiders than usual is the most obvious evidence of spider infestations. Additional clues include visible egg sacs and a significant number of other insects for the spiders to feed on. While spiders found in homes are generally not dangerous, brown recluses and black widows deliver venemous bites that require medical attention.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling, you may have a rat infestation. Rats nibble through walls, doors and food bags, forming access points for themselves.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one darting through a room or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to gnaw on furniture and emit a distinctive musky smell. They make their nests from found materials and shredded fiber. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them rustling in your walls or ceilings.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice a surge in bee activity either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. A strange scent coming from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets because their stings can provoke serious allergic reactions.
• Flies: It's common to see a few flies inside your home in 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.

How can you prevent pests in your Lexington 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 are problematic and can cause significant damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking preventative measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing gaps, 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 six inches off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure counters, food storage areas and sinks stay clean and sanitized 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

Trash, leaves, standing water and tall grass give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with cut grass and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entrances will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, 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 pest prevention.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control company that's equipped 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 substances under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources issues commercial applicator licenses and certifications to those providing pest control services in Massachusetts. Professionals must have a Commercial Applicator License or Certification in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the property location, treatment type, pest type and infestation severity. Pest control companies 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 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 get rid of your pest problem 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 extra treatments. Alternatively, you may see more pest activity 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 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 a few hours to dry completely, and you'll need to stay out of the house during this period.

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 alternative accommodations.

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 tell you what items you must clear from the space such as plants, food and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control companies provide environmentally conscious methods for treating an infestation. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing up gaps for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from organic 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 one-time treatment or continuous treatments to tackle a stubborn 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.