10 best pest control companies in Pasadena, California

In Pasadena, flies, mosquitos and ants are common pests. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation often requires a pest control expert's help. These qualified pest exterminators in Pasadena can pinpoint the problem and treat it effectively.

Letting a pest issue go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Bringing in exterminators mitigates these dangers. They'll identify where pests have nested, and create a treatment plan that could include closing off 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 Pasadena

Look for pest control companies in Pasadena 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 Pasadena?

While pests are everywhere, not all of them infest the same regions. Check for the following signs of common Pasadena pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths are often seen as household pests. Clothes moths feed on wool and cotton, leaving silky furrows, trenches, tunnels and small tubes, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths make holes in plastic food packaging, leaving webbing in pantry corners and on or in dried goods. Moths are naturally attracted to ripe fruits, light and fermented sugar.
• Ticks: Though ticks usually stay close to the ground outside, they can enter your home via shoes, pets or clothing. Inside, female ticks lay eggs on curtains, in upholstery or in carpet fibers. Nests may also be hidden in the lining or pockets of clothing, along baseboards and in corners.
• Fleas: Fleas typically target pets. Your pet may have fleas if it's constantly scratching itself and has black dots on its skin. While fleas don't live on human skin or hair, they do jump up and bite people, especially around the ankles. Fleas can also spread various diseases, including the bubonic plague.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts 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 active at night — as the sun goes down, they emit a loud buzzing noise and bite. You may not notice a bite until a few hours later, at which point the area around the bite turns into a bump and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Beetles: Several beetle species might invade your home and cause damage to your home and belongings. Carpet beetles can ruin carpets, furniture and bedding, and biscuit beetles infest dried goods, such as beans, spices, pasta, grains, rice and seeds. Though usually harmless to your health, some beetles can cause allergic reactions.

How can you prevent pests in your Pasadena home?

While an infestation will typically require professional extermination, the best way to prevent infestations is to take preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Insects 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 often in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will deter them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure counters, sinks and food storage areas are kept clean and sanitized 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, standing water, tall grass and leaves offer ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with a mowed lawn and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small access points will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as little as half an inch in diameter. Don't neglect gaps in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in pest prevention.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control service, 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) governs the application of pest control substances under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification compliant with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

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?

A pest control specialist will recommend a treatment schedule based on the location of your property, severity of the infestation, type of pest and type of treatment. Pest control professionals typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are often at various stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot areas.

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

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 type 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 force pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should lessen 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 certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. 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 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 another place to stay.

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?

A number of pest control providers offer green solutions for treating infestations. This means they use methods 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 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 one-time solution, while others offer continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options with your service 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.