10 best pest control companies in Pelham, Alabama

Common pests such as spiders, fleas and rats can easily infest living spaces in Pelham. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest problem, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. These experienced pest specialists in Pelham can diagnose the problem and treat it effectively.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and loved ones. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Hiring pest control experts can significantly minimize the damage from an infestation. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from plugging holes to using traps or pesticides. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Pelham

Look for pest control companies in Pelham 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 Pelham?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in the Pelham area:

• Termites: Termites consume cellulose fibers in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you see cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes, termite swarms or droppings. Another sign is if wood sounds hollow when you knock on it.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes in debris, rock piles, wood and overgrown grass. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, get in touch with a pest control expert right away.
• Ants: Your home could be infested with various ant types. Carpenter ants nest in wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also often invade homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger infestations are nearby.
• Fleas: If your pet is constantly scratching, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not inhabit human skin or hair, they jump up to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can transmit various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a flat reddish-brown appearance. Apartment buildings and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into clothing, secondhand furniture, purses and backpacks. They nest in beds and sleeping areas by day, then come out while you're sleeping. If you see the insects themselves or find blood stains on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Pelham home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to prevent pest infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, pests can significantly impact your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control professional to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal openings or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests commonly seek out food sources, limiting their food access will stop them from invading your home. Place food at least half a foot above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep counters, food storage areas and sinks 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

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off access points 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 holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest prevention 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) monitors pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified following EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Pest control professionals in Alabama are required to have a Commercial Applicator Permit. They are certified through the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer seasons and others occurring 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 issue to disappear depends 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 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 subside within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can 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 vacate the premises.

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 apply 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 return 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 management companies offer green solutions for managing an infestation. This involves using products that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, humanely trapping rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

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 continuous service 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.