10 best pest control companies in Ocala, Florida

Common pests such as snakes, fleas and flies can regularly invade living spaces in Ocala. You can try preventative solutions to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Skilled pest exterminators in Ocala know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to structural damage and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control pros can significantly lower the damage from an infestation. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or spraying pesticides. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for good.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Ocala

Look for pest control companies in Ocala 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 Ocala?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species vary. Here are some indications of common pests in the Ocala area.

• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in rock piles, overgrown grass, debris and wood. Snake skins and snake eggs indicate an infestation. If you think you might have a snake, sprinkle flour in the suspected areas. If you see trails in the flour, reach out to a pest control professional for help removing the snake.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be most active during nighttime and will flee when a light turns on. However, you may see them during the day if there is a serious infestation. They often nest in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Signs of cockroaches include brown stains on walls and floors, egg casings and droppings that look like brown or black specks. Cockroaches can also spread disease and worsen respiratory issues.
• 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 leap to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can spread various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Rats: If you hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long, you may have rats. Rats also create entryways for themselves by gnawing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Wasps: The biggest sign of a wasp infestation is simply seeing more wasps around than usual. Many species of wasp nest above ground, but ground wasps generally make their nests in dirt underground. A ground nest may not be noticeable until you step on it. Wasps are known to swarm, and show significantly more aggression than bees. It's crucial to enlist professional help rather than attempting to remove a nest on your own.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a flat reddish-brown appearance. Apartment complexes and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into purses, clothing, secondhand furniture and backpacks. They hide in beds and sleeping areas by day, then come out while you're sleeping. If you spot the insects themselves or find blood smears on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug infestation.
• Spiders: The best way to know you have a spider infestation is a significant increase in spiderwebs in and around your home. egg sacs and plenty of other insects that the spiders can feed on are some other signs of an infestation. Aside from hazardous black widows and brown recluses, which have venomous bites, most spiders found in homes are harmless.

How can you prevent pests in your Ocala home?

While an infestation will usually require professional help, the best way to prevent infestations is to implement preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can wreak havoc on your home and health if not addressed quickly. Talk to a pest specialist about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off small entry points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will prevent 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 clean and disinfected when not being used. Promptly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small openings 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 cracks in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, ask the following questions to verify they have the knowledge to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the application of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

Florida requires pest control technicians to be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Private, Public or Commercial Applicator Licenses are all available through this office.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer months and others ongoing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it takes for your pest problem to disappear 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 after the initial treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should decrease within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. However, if your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 find alternative 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 food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest exterminators provide eco-friendly methods for managing an infestation. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a one-time treatment or continuous treatments to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the options with your 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.