10 best pest control companies in Pacifica, California

Common pests such as rats, ants and flies can regularly invade homes in Pacifica. You can try preventative measures to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you already have an infestation. Skilled pest experts in Pacifica know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

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

A reputable pest control company can reduce these risks. They'll identify where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include blocking access points, using traps or spraying 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 Pacifica

Look for pest control companies in Pacifica 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 Pacifica?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. The following pests are common in the Pacifica area, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Ants: Numerous ant species might infest your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food debris. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also frequently make their way indoors. Seeing a trail of ants in your home means a a larger infestion is nearby.
• 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 seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling, you may have rats. Rats also create entryways for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, wingless insects about the size of apple seeds. Common in hospitals, apartment complexes and hotels, they get into homes through purses, used furniture, clothing and backpacks. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they come out at night. You may have an infestation if you see the bugs themselves or blood stains on mattresses or other furniture.
• Wasps: The biggest sign of a wasp infestation is simply seeing more wasps around than usual. Many kinds of wasp nest above ground, but ground wasps generally nest 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 nest removal yourself.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are mostly active at night, but you may see a few during the day if you have a serious infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Cockroaches commonly leave brown marks on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble crushed black pepper. Cockroaches transmit disease and can even aggravate breathing problems.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so humid climates and nearby bodies of water increase your infestation chances. Mosquitoes alert you to their presence with a sharp buzzing noise. They're most active at night — biting after sunset. You may not notice their bites initially, but the surrounding skin eventually swells and itches. Mosquitoes are also known to carry diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile and malaria.

How can you prevent pests in your Pacifica home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues for your home and health when left unchecked. The best way to stop these infestations before they start is to work with a pest control expert. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are usually in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will prevent them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure sinks, food storage areas and counters are kept clean and sanitized 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

Tall grass, standing water, leaves and trash create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your lawn and trimming foliage are among the simplest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen operate in your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing 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?

Ask the following questions to ensure you get a pest control company that can address 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.

A Qualified Applicator License or Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for pest control technicians to practice in California.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the particular pest type, the location of the property, the severity of the infestation and the specific treatment method. 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 hidden locations.

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be limited to the warmer months, while others happen across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from starting.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest issue to go away depends on the type and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might see a decline in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring more treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive 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 for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing holes and cracks. But if a pesticide is used, it may need several hours to dry, and you'll have to stay in another location while it dries.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to release the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to find other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional knows 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 plants, food and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for addressing an infestation. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a single treatment, while others offer ongoing treatments to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the options available with your pest control expert.

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.