10 best pest control companies in Passaic, New Jersey

In Passaic, flies, mice and bed bugs are a regular cause of issues. Taking preventative measures by yourself can help you prevent pest problems, but contacting a pest control company is best if you spot signs of an existing infestation. These certified pest exterminators in Passaic can identify the problem and treat it effectively.

Pests that infest your property put your home, family and pets in danger. Insects and small animals can cause long-term structural damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can decrease these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create personalized treatment plans that may include plugging cracks, using traps or spraying pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be solved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Passaic

Look for pest control companies in Passaic 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 Passaic?

Different pests invade different regions. Here are some signs of common pests in Passaic.

• Termites: Termites eat and nest in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you have areas in your walls that sound hollow when you tap on them, or if you see termite swarms, cracked or bubbling paint, droppings or mud tubes.
• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see more than usual, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near kitchen sinks, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be most active during nighttime and will run away when a light turns on. However, you may see them running across surfaces if you have a serious infestation. They often nest in basements, kitchens and bathrooms. Signs of cockroaches include egg casings, brown stains on walls and floors and droppings that look like brown or black specks. Cockroaches can also spread disease and aggravate respiratory issues.
• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so living in damp climates or near bodies of water puts your property at a higher risk of infestation. Mosquitoes are nocturnal and signal their presence through a sharp buzzing noise. Bites might not be instantly noticeable, but later the spots will become swollen and itchy. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and West Nile.
• Rats: If you hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long, you may have rats. Rats eat through doors, walls and food bags, forming entryways for themselves.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Multi-unit apartments and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They spread to your home by clinging onto backpacks, clothing, secondhand furniture and purses. They are inactive during the day, hiding in beds and small cracks. At night, they come out to feed. Seeing the insects themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding suggests you may have an infestation.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a musky smell and damage household items by nibbling through them. They build nests from found materials and shredded fiber. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear noises inside your walls or ceiling.

How can you prevent pests in your Passaic home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be a headache, so preventative measures are the best method to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can take the following steps to keep pests away before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly impact 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 gaps or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests typically seek out food sources, limiting their food access will stop them from sticking around. Place food at least half a foot above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep food storage areas, sinks and counters clean and disinfected when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage often, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in tall grass, standing water, trash and leaves. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the simplest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small access points will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as tiny as a half-inch in diameter. Don't neglect cracks in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in blocking pests.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees 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.

New Jersy pest control professionals should be licensed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Compliance & Enforcement, having completed 40 hours of training in order to earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest control expert will recommend a treatment schedule based on the location of your property, type of treatment, type of pest and severity of the infestation. Pest control technicians 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-find spots.

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?

How long it takes for your pest issue to go away will vary depending on the infestation type and extent, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring supplementary treatments. On the other hand, you might see increased activity after the initial treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding spots. 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 some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing up entry points. But if a pesticide is used, it may need hours to dry completely, and you'll have to leave the house while it dries.

Some services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to release the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

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?

A number of pest control services provide environmentally friendly methods for addressing infestations. This involves using techniques that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing up gaps for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

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 single service 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.