10 best pest control companies in Montclair, New Jersey

In Montclair, flies, mice and cockroaches are a regular source of issues. Implementing preventative measures yourself can help you prevent pest issues, but reaching out to a pest control company is recommended if you have an existing infestation. Skilled pest experts in the Montclair area have the skills to inspect your home, use appropriate treatments and resolve your pest problems.

Pests that infest your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to your home and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can significantly lower the damage from an infestation. A pest professional will spot infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from plugging holes to using traps or pesticides. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Montclair

Look for pest control companies in Montclair 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 Montclair?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same regions. If you think you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Montclair area:

• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one scampering by or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to gnaw on furniture and emit a distinctive musky smell. They make their nests from found materials and shredded fiber. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them scratching around in your walls or ceilings.
• Bees: Signs of a bee infestation include finding dark smears on your walls, seeing more bees than usual and hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls. A strange odor may also come from your walls. This happens when mold and fungi grow inside due to bees dying or honey seeping into the walls. Bees can also harm your family and pets, as their stings can cause allergic reactions.
• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest in debris, rock piles, wood and overgrown grass and are more active during the warmer months of the year. Signs of a snake infestation include shed snake skins and snake eggs. To test for a snake infestation, sprinkle flour near where you think a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, contact a pest control professional right away.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are nocturnal, but you may see some during the day if you have a major infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Cockroaches commonly leave brown smears on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble ground black pepper. Cockroaches spread disease and can even worsen respiratory problems.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear scratching in your walls or ceiling, you may have rats. Rats nibble through food bags, walls and doors, forming entryways for themselves.
• Ants: Your home could be invaded by various ant types. Carpenter ants excavate wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also frequently get into homes. Ant trails inside your home suggest larger infestations are nearby.

How can you prevent pests in your Montclair home?

While an infestation will usually require professional extermination, the best way to avoid pest infestations is to implement preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly impact your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control professional to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal cracks or apply pesticides in specific areas.

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 sinks, food storage areas and counters are kept clean and sanitized when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters clean.

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, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen cover your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entrances will prevent insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as small as a half-inch in diameter. Don't neglect cracks 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) regulates 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.

New Jersy pest control professionals should be licensed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Compliance & Enforcement, having completed 40 hours of training in order to earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the infestation severity, property location, treatment type and pest type. Pest control companies generally do not advocate for 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 hard to access.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. 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?

How long it takes for your pest problem to go away will vary based on the infestation nature 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 see increased activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding places. Fortunately, this should subside within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home along with your family and pets while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This can typically take a few hours.

Certain treatments can be especially time-consuming like termite fumigation. The pest control provider erects a tent around your home, which is left in place for three days to apply the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to stay in a hotel or other accommodations.

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 come back 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 animals, plants and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest treatment companies offer green solutions for managing infestations. This involves using methods that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, using humane traps for 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 one-time treatment or continuous services 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.