10 best pest control companies in Norwood, Massachusetts

In Norwood, you may face pests such as mice, mosquitos and rats. You can take action yourself to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you already have an infestation. These qualified pest specialists in Norwood can diagnose the problem and treat it effectively.

Pests that infest your property put your home and family in danger. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

An experienced pest control company can lower these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or applying chemicals. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be contained for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Norwood

Look for pest control companies in Norwood 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 Norwood?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. Check for the following signs of common Norwood pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so you’re at a higher risk of an infestation if you live in a damp climate or have bodies of water nearby. Mosquitoes are nocturnal — as the sun goes down, they emit a distinctive buzzing noise and feed. You may not notice a bite until a few hours later, at which point the area around the bite appears raised and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is frequently scratching, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do leap up to bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create entry points for themselves by eating through walls, doors and food packaging.
• 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 chew on furniture and emit a musky odor. 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.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Apartment complexes and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They spread to your home by attaching to secondhand furniture, backpacks, clothing and purses. They are inactive during the day, concealing themselves in beds and small cracks. At night, they come out to feed. Finding bed bugs themselves or blood stains on your mattress or bedding means you may have an infestation.
• Bees: If you see more bees than usual inside or around your home, have dark stains on your walls or hear humming inside the walls, you may have a bee infestation. You might also notice a strange smell coming from your walls. This happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, causing the growth of mold. Bees can easily harm your loved ones and pets, as bee stings often cause allergic reactions.

How can you prevent pests in your Norwood home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to prevent pest infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can wreak havoc on 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

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, standing water, tall grass and leaves give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard clean and well-maintained with a mowed lawn and trimmed foliage is one of the most straightforward ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, check if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small openings will discourage insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address cracks in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest prevention and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification compliant with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources issues commercial applicator licenses and certifications to those providing pest control services in Massachusetts. Professionals must have a Commercial Applicator License or Certification in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the property location, pest type, infestation severity and treatment 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 professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others needed 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 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 additional treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge 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 stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are 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.

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 elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount 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 animals, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest exterminators provide environmentally conscious methods for treating an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps 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 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.