10 best pest control companies in Missouri City, Texas

In Missouri City, snakes, mosquitos and flies are common pests. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation usually requires the attention of a pest control company. These licensed pest specialists in Missouri City can identify the problem and treat it safely and effectively.

Pests that invade your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Bringing in pest management professionals decreases these dangers. A technician will locate nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or applying pesticides. When the proper fixes are implemented, you can get rid of infestations for good.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Missouri City

Look for pest control companies in Missouri City 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 Missouri City?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. The following pests are common in the Missouri City area, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Fleas: If your pet is continually itching, 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.
• Beetles: Numerous beetle species might get into your home and cause damage to your home and belongings. Carpet beetles can ruin bedding, furniture and carpets, and biscuit beetles infest dried goods, such as pasta, beans, rice, seeds, grains and spices. Though usually harmless to your health, some beetles can trigger allergic reactions.
• Ants: Your home could be infested with various ant types. Carpenter ants nest in wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also commonly infest homes. Ant trails inside your home signal larger ant nests are nearby.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around high shelves, sink drains and trash. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• 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 damage furniture and have a distinct musky scent. They construct nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes among overgrown grass, wood, rock piles and debris. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, get in touch with a pest control expert right away.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, hear skittering in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats will also chew into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create entryways.

How can you prevent pests in your Missouri City home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be challenging, so preventative measures are the most effective 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 expert. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests typically seek out food sources, limiting their food access will stop them from sticking around. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep counters, food storage areas and sinks clean and sanitized when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage regularly, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in standing water, trash, leaves 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

Closing off entrances will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as little 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?

To ensure you hire a pest control company that's prepared to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

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.

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?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the treatment type, property location, infestation severity and pest type. Pest control services 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 difficult to reach.

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 once per quarter to stop new infestations from forming.

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 type and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might notice a decrease in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring additional treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive 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 stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing holes and cracks. But if a pesticide is used, it may need hours to dry completely, and you'll have to leave the house while it dries.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company places 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?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge how much of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be taken out of the area, including food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for treating infestations. This involves using techniques that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

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 one-time solution, while others offer ongoing treatments to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options with your service 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.