10 best pest control companies in Louisville, Kentucky

Common pests such as bed bugs, rats and fleas can often make their way into houses in Louisville. You can try DIY measures to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Licensed pest exterminators in Louisville know how to accurately identify pests, apply suitable treatments and resolve your pest problem.

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

A reputable pest control company can reduce these risks. They'll identify where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include blocking access points, using traps or applying pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be resolved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Louisville

Look for pest control companies in Louisville 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 Louisville?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. Check for the following indications of common Louisville pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Bees: more bees inside or around your home, buzzing within your walls or dark stains on your walls maysignal a bee infestation. You may also smell an odd odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey builds up inside, causing mold and fungi growth. Bees can harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially provoking allergic reactions.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling, you may have rats. Rats chew through doors, walls and food bags, forming access points for themselves.
• Fleas: If your pet is constantly scratching, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not inhabit human skin or hair, they jump up to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can transmit various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Ticks: Ticks can easily enter homes by hitching a ride on clothing, shoes or pets, after they're picked up by you or your family while outdoors. Once inside, a female tick will lay her eggs in carpet fibers, in upholstery or on curtains. Other common nesting spots include in the lining or pockets of clothing, in corners and along baseboards.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths frequently infest homes. Clothes moths feed on wool and cotton, leaving behind tunnels, silky furrows, trenches and small tubes, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths burrow holes in plastic food packaging and leave web-like residue in pantry corners. Moths are attracted to light, fermented sugar and ripe fruit.

How can you prevent pests in your Louisville home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to prevent them from getting a foothold in your home.

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 specialist about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your home. Their recommendations may include sealing off access points, 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 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

Insects and small animals can hide in trash, leaves, standing water and tall grass. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the most straightforward ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, check if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points will prevent 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 openings 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?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification compliant with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

A Commercial, Non-Commercial or Private Applicator's License is required for pest control professionals providing services in Kentucky. These licenses are issued through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will be determined by factors such as the property location, pest type, infestation severity and treatment type. Generally, pest control providers do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different phases of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in difficult-to-reach areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer seasons and others occurring throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest problem 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 more treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can force 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 should be able to remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 release 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 clear from the space such as plants, food and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control providers offer environmentally conscious methods for treating an infestation. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, capturing rodents or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

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 single treatment or ongoing 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.