10 best pest control companies in Long Beach, California

Pests such as flies, fleas and bees can often get into living spaces in Long Beach. You can try preventative measures to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Experienced pest exterminators in the Long Beach area have the skills to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to damage to your property and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause irreversible damage to your home and spread disease.

An experienced pest control company can reduce these risks. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from plugging holes to using traps or chemicals. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be kept at bay for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Long Beach

Look for pest control companies in Long Beach 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 Long Beach?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same locations. Here are some signs of common pests in the Long Beach area.

• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless, reddish-brown, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment complexes and hotels, they can cling to belongings, such as clothing, purses, backpacks and used furniture. They hide in your bed and in nooks and crannies during the day then become active during the night. When you have an infestation, you may see the bugs themselves or find blood stains on your mattress or other furniture.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a wet climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are drawn to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a high-pitched buzzing noise that notifies you of their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, irritated spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including dengue fever, West Nile and malaria.
• Mice: If mice have infiltrated your home, you might see one darting by or find droppings around the size of a grain of rice. Mice often chew on furniture and have a distinct musk. They make nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are active at night and tend to flee when you turn on a light. Still, you may see a cockroach or two on the run if you have an infestation. Their nests tend to be around kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Cockroaches often leave brown smear marks on walls and floors, and droppings that look like small black specks around your home. Cockroaches can transmit various diseases through contamination and exacerbate respiratory problems.
• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's constantly scratching itself, 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 leaping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Rats: Signs of rats include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create entry points for themselves by gnawing through walls, doors and food packaging.

How can you prevent pests in your Long Beach home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to keep them at bay.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

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

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are often in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will discourage them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure food storage areas, sinks and counters are clean and disinfected when not being used. Quickly 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 grass and trimming foliage are among the easiest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, check whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for instance, can squeeze into holes as tiny as a half-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?

Ask the following questions to make sure you hire a pest control company that can meet 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 in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

A Qualified Applicator License or Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for pest control technicians to practice in California.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest control specialist will create a treatment schedule based on the type of treatment, type of pest, severity of the infestation and location of your property. Pest control professionals typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are often at different stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer seasons and others occurring 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 takes for your pest problem to disappear depends on the infestation type and severity, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may perceive a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring further treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity following the initial treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should decrease within a few days' time.

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 leave the house during this period.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company erects a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to find another place to stay 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 return 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, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer environmentally conscious methods for managing infestations. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, trapping rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

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 continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options with your pest control expert.

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.