10 best pest control companies in Paterson, New Jersey

In Paterson, flies, mice and cockroaches are the most frequent source of problems. You can take action yourself to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. These certified pest specialists in Paterson can pinpoint the problem and treat it effectively.

Pests that infest your property put your home and family in danger. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Hiring pest control pros can significantly lower the risk of an infestation. A pest professional will spot infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from closing entry points to using traps or 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 Paterson

Look for pest control companies in Paterson 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 Paterson?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in the Paterson area:

• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are flat, wingless, reddish-brown insects about the size of apple seeds. Common in apartment buildings, hotels and hospitals, they hitch a ride on clothing, purses, used furniture and backpacks. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they become active at night. You may have an infestation if you spot the bugs themselves or blood stains on mattresses or other furniture.
• Ticks: Ticks typically stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can enter your home on your pets, shoes or clothing. Once inside, a female tick will lay her eggs in upholstery, on curtains and in carpet fibers. You may also spot nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.
• Flies: It's common to see a few flies inside your home in the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave droppings resembling clusters of black dots by sinks, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice a surge in bee activity either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An unpleasant odor radiating from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets because their stings can provoke severe allergic reactions.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are active at night and tend to run when you turn on a light. Still, you may see a cockroach or two on the run if you have an infestation. Their nests tend to be around bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Cockroaches often leave brown smudges on walls and floors, and droppings that look like black pepper flakes around your home. Cockroaches can spread disease through contamination and aggravate respiratory problems.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is constantly scratching itself, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do jump up and bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.

How can you prevent pests in your Paterson home?

While an infestation will probably require professional extermination, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to implement preventative measures.

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 company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests primarily seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of six inches off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure food storage areas, sinks and counters stay clean and disinfected between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, standing water, tall grass and leaves give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard clean 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 cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as little as a half-inch in diameter. Don't neglect holes 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?

To find a pest control service with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use 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 in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

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?

The treatment plan a pest professional recommends will vary based on the severity of the infestation, the particular pest type, the specific treatment method and the location of the property. In most cases, pest control services advise against relying on a single treatment to eliminate household pests, as there will likely be insects at various stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hidden areas.

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others occurring 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 will take for your pest problem to disappear depends on the infestation type and severity and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring additional treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, this should taper off within a few 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 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 typically takes a few hours.

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 stay elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge how much 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?

Certain pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for managing an infestation. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas where pests can gain access, capturing rodents or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

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 options available.

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.