10 best pest control companies in Newark, New Jersey

In Newark, you might come across pests such as flies, mice and cockroaches. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation most likely requires the attention of a pest control professional. Certified pest experts in Newark know how to correctly identify pests, apply suitable treatments and resolve your pest problem.

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

Bringing in pest management professionals decreases these risks. A pest professional will identify infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from sealing cracks and holes to using traps or chemicals. 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 Newark

Look for pest control companies in Newark 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 Newark?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. Check for these signs of common Newark pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see significantly more than is normal, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near sinks, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths often invade homes. Clothes moths consume wool and cotton garments, leaving tunnels, silky furrows, trenches and small tubes behind, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths puncture in plastic food bags and leave a web-like material in the corners of your pantry. Fermented sugar, ripe fruit and light all attract moths.
• Mice: If mice have infiltrated your home, you might catch a quick view of one or find droppings around the size of a grain of rice. Mice often damage furniture and have a noticeable musky odor. 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.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear buzzing inside your walls, notice more bees than usual either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An unpleasant odor coming from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets in that their stings can cause serious allergic reactions.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are mostly active at night, but you may see some during the day if you have a severe 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 transmit disease and can even exacerbate respiratory problems.
• Beetles: Multiple beetle species can invade homes and damage your home and belongings. Carpet beetles can destroy bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture, while biscuit beetles get into rice, seeds, pasta, spices and beans. Beetles are generally harmless as they don't bite or transmit disease, but they can cause allergic reactions in some people.
• Rats: Signs of a rat problem include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create entryways for themselves by gnawing through walls, doors and food packaging.

How can you prevent pests in your Newark home?

While an infestation will typically require professional help, the best way to avoid pest infestations is to take preventative measures.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are disruptive and can cause extensive damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking preventative measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing cracks and holes, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are usually 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 food storage areas, counters and sinks are kept clean and disinfected when not being used. Regularly 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, tall grass, leaves and trash. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the easiest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points 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 exclusion 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?

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 following 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 plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the specific treatment method, the location of the property, the particular pest type and the severity of the infestation. In most cases, pest control companies advise against relying on a one-time treatment to eliminate household pests, as there will likely be insects at different stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot locations.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are done in all seasons. 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 problem 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 notice a decrease in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring further treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can push pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should subside 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 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 while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This can typically take a few hours.

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 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 let you know 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?

Certain pest treatment companies provide green solutions for treating an infestation. 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, humanely trapping rodents or applying pesticides made from natural sources.

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.