10 best pest control companies in Norwood Park, Illinois

In Norwood Park, mice, rats and spiders are a regular source of issues. You can try DIY measures to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you already have an infestation. A professional pest control service in Norwood Park can safely diagnose, treat and resolve your pest problems.

Letting a pest issue go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your loved ones and your pets. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can decrease these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create personalized treatment plans that could include closing off gaps, using traps or applying chemicals. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be controlled for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Norwood Park

Look for pest control companies in Norwood Park 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 Park?

While pests are all over, not all of them infest the same locations. Here are some indications of common pests in the Norwood Park area.

• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting among wood, rock piles, debris and overgrown grass. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to contact a pest control company.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but a noticeable increase could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around high shelves, trash and sink drains. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• 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 an odd odor coming from your walls. This happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, causing the growth of mold and fungi. Bees can easily harm your family or your pets, as bee stings often provoke allergic reactions.
• Spiders: The best way to know you have a spider infestation is a noticeable uptick in spiderwebs in and around your home. Visible egg sacs and lots of other insects that the spiders can feed on are some other signs of an infestation. Aside from dangerous brown recluses and black widows, which have venomous bites, most spiders found in homes are harmless.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might scurry by briefly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a distinct musky smell and damage household items by chewing through them. They build nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear scratching sounds inside your walls or ceiling.
• Wasps: More wasps than usual in and around your house is a big sign of an infestation. Wasps nest above or below ground. Ground nests are generally hidden, so you may not notice them until you disturb them. Because wasps are so aggressive, it's important that you reach out to a pest management service to remove the nest rather than attempt to remove it yourself. Otherwise, you may risk multiple stings or a severe allergic reaction.

How can you prevent pests in your Norwood Park home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are things you can do before pests become a problem to prevent them from getting a foothold in your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, bugs and small animals can significantly affect your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control company 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

As pests are commonly looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a small distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep food storage areas, sinks and counters clean and disinfected when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash regularly. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in trash, tall grass, leaves and standing water. 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, check if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entryways will help keep insects and small animals from infiltrating your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as tiny as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for gaps, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in keeping pests out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to ensure you get a pest control provider that can handle your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications consistent with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the governing body that provides licenses to pest control professionals servicing Illinois. Pesticide applicators should have a Commercial Applicator's License to work in the state.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will hinge on factors such as the pest type, property location, treatment type and infestation severity. Generally, pest control professionals do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in hard-to-access places.

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 disappear depends on the infestation nature and extent, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may notice a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring further treatments. On the other hand, you might see increased activity after the initial treatment, as it can drive pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should get better 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 release the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to stay elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is safe for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as food, plants and animals must be removed from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control companies offer green solutions for managing infestations. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, humanely trapping rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

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 continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the packages 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.