9 best pest control companies in Lufkin, Texas

Common pests such as fleas, flies and snakes can regularly infest living spaces in Lufkin. Taking preventative measures by yourself can help you stop pest issues, but contacting a pest control company is best if you spot signs of an existing infestation. Skilled pest specialists in the Lufkin area have the skills to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go untreated can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family and your pets. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

Hiring pest control experts can substantially minimize the risk of an infestation. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that could include closing off gaps, using traps or applying pesticides. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be contained for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Lufkin

Look for pest control companies in Lufkin 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 Lufkin?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. Check for the following indications of common Lufkin pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• 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 feces resembling clusters of black dots by drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a humid area 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 buzzing noise that signals their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, irritated spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear scratching in your walls or ceiling, you may have a rat infestation. Rats nibble through walls, doors and food bags, forming access points for themselves.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless, reddish-brown, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Often seen in apartment buildings, hotels and hospitals, they hitch a ride on used furniture, clothing, purses and backpacks. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they come out at night. You may have an infestation if you spot the bugs themselves or bloody marks on mattresses or bedding.
• 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 leaping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.

How can you prevent pests in your Lufkin home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be difficult, so preventative measures are the best strategy to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can implement the following measures to keep pests out before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Insects and small animals can cause serious issues for your home and health when left unchecked. The best way to stop these infestations before they start is to work with a pest control company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are usually looking for food, making food difficult to access will keep them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a short distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep food storage areas, counters and sinks clean and sanitized when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash regularly. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, standing water, trash and leaves create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your lawn and trimming foliage are among the simplest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small openings into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just half an inch in diameter. Repair gaps in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest prevention services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control provider with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

Texas pest control professionals must register their business and be licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture in order to legally provide pesticide services. They should have earned either a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest professionals generally advise continuous 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 it will take for your pest problem to go away depends on the type 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 further treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge 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 can stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when holes and cracks are being sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take a few hours to dry completely, and you'll need to leave the house during this period.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to find other 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 take out of the space such as animals, plants and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for treating infestations. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

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 single treatment or recurring treatments 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.