10 best pest control companies in Pleasanton, California

Pests regularly encountered in Pleasanton are ants, fleas and bed bugs. You can try DIY solutions to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. These pest exterminators in Pleasanton can pinpoint the problem and treat it safely and effectively.

Pests that infest your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

Bringing in expert pest controllers reduces these dangers. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create personalized treatment plans that may include closing off gaps, using traps or applying pesticides. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be controlled for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Pleasanton

Look for pest control companies in Pleasanton 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 Pleasanton?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. Here are some indications of common pests in Pleasanton.

• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown, wingless insects about the size of apple seeds. Often seen in apartment complexes, hospitals and hotels, they travel on purses, backpacks, clothing and used furniture. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they come out at night. You may have an infestation if you spot the bugs themselves or bloody marks on mattresses or bedding.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might invade 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 find their way indoors. Spotting a line of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a damp climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are drawn to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a high-pitched buzzing noise that signals their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, itchy spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats also create entry points for themselves by gnawing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• 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 kitchen sinks, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Fleas: If your pet is always scratching itself, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not live on human skin or hair, they jump up to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can transmit various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Beetles: Several beetle varieties can enter homes and damage your home and belongings. Carpet beetles can destroy bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture, while biscuit beetles get into seeds, rice, beans, pasta and spices. Beetles are usually harmless as they don't transmit disease or bite, but they can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

How can you prevent pests in your Pleasanton 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

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly affect your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control service 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

As pests are typically looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from infesting your home. Food should be a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a small distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep sinks, food storage areas and counters clean and sanitized when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash frequently. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small openings will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as little as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address openings in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest exclusion services and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected 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?

A pest specialist will make a treatment schedule based on the location of your property, severity of the infestation, type of treatment and type of pest. Pest control companies typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are frequently at various stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hidden locations.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

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 perceive 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 out of hiding. Fortunately, this should subside within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when holes and cracks are being sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take several hours to dry, and you'll need to stay out of the house during this period.

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 stay in a hotel or other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A professional will understand the proper amount of a product to apply, the duration necessary for it to dry, and when it is safe for children and pets to come back to the treated area. Your pest control provider should tell you what items you must clear from the space such as food, plants and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest specialists provide eco-friendly methods for managing an infestation. This involves using methods that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, humanely trapping rodents or using pesticides made from natural sources.

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 one-time treatment or ongoing treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the treatments they offer.

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.