10 best pest control companies in Martinez, California

In Martinez, ants, rats and flies are common pests. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest issue, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. These certified pest specialists in Martinez can pinpoint the problem and resolve it safely and effectively.

Letting a pest problem go untreated can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause long-term property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

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

Look for pest control companies in Martinez 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 Martinez?

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

• Ants: Numerous ant species might nest on your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food debris. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also frequently find their way indoors. Finding a line of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.
• 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.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a distinct musky smell and damage household items by gnawing through them. They build nests from scavenged materials and torn fibers. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear noises inside your walls or ceiling.
• 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 painful, venemous bites that require medical attention.
• Beetles: Different types of beetle breeds can enter homes. Carpet beetles eat the natural fibers in bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. Biscuit beetles infest grains, beans, spices, seeds, pasta and rice. Beetles are generally harmless to your health, but some may trigger allergic reactions.
• Rats: If you hear scratching in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long, you may have a rat infestation. Rats eat through food bags, walls and doors, forming entryways for themselves.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are nocturnal, but you may see some during the day if you have a major infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Cockroaches commonly leave brown smears on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble crushed black pepper. Cockroaches transmit disease and can even worsen respiratory problems.

How can you prevent pests in your Martinez home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be a headache, so preventative measures are the best strategy 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 can cause serious issues in your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest specialist about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your home. Their recommendations may include sealing off small entry points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will discourage them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure food storage areas, counters and sinks are clean and disinfected when not being used. Regularly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in tall grass, trash, standing water and leaves in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard debris-free and properly maintained with mowed 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

Closing off small access points will help keep insects and small animals from entering your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as tiny as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for cracks, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees 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.

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?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist suggests will depend on the infestation severity, treatment type, property location and pest type. Pest control providers 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 challenging to get to.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are carried out throughout the year. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

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 extent 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 surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should decrease 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 entry points. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's 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 apply the pesticide. You'll have to vacate your home 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 tell you what items you must clear from the space such as animals, plants and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest specialists offer eco-friendly methods for addressing an infestation. This involves using methods that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made from natural sources.

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.