10 best pest control companies in Queens, New York

Common pests such as rats, bed bugs and mice can often infest living spaces in Queens. Taking preventative measures by yourself can help you stop pest issues, but calling a pest control company is advisable if you spot signs of an existing infestation. Licensed pest specialists in Queens know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to structural damage and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate your food supplies and spread disease.

An experienced pest control company can lower these risks. They'll determine where pests have nested, and tailor a treatment plan that could include closing off entry points, using traps or applying pesticides. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Queens

Look for pest control companies in Queens 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 Queens?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. The following pests are common in Queens, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Apartment complexes and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They spread to your home by clinging onto secondhand furniture, purses, clothing and backpacks. They are inactive during the day, hiding in beds and near sleeping areas. They come out at night to feed. Seeing the bugs themselves or bloody marks on your mattress or bedding suggests you may have an infestation.
• 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 will also nibble into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create access points.
• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see an unusually high number, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near sink drains, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Mice: If mice have infiltrated your home, you might see one darting by or find droppings around the size of a grain of rice. Mice often damage furniture and have a distinct musky scent. They construct nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are nocturnal, but you may see a few during the day if you have a severe infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around bathrooms, basements and kitchens. Cockroaches commonly leave brown smears on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble crushed black pepper. Cockroaches spread disease and can even exacerbate respiratory problems.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can take over your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also frequently find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it points to a larger infestation nearby.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes among rock piles, overgrown grass, wood and debris. 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.

How can you prevent pests in your Queens home?

While an infestation will typically require professional help, the best way to prevent infestations is to take 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

Insects and small animals can take refuge in trash, tall grass, leaves and standing water in your yard. One of the easiest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with mowed grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small entrances will help keep insects and small animals from infiltrating your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as little as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for cracks, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in keeping pests out of your home.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control provider 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) regulates 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 servicing New York are required to have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician License in order to legally practice. These licenses are issued by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional recommends will vary based on the specific treatment method, the particular pest type, the severity of the infestation and the location of the property. In most cases, pest control services advise against relying on a one-time treatment to get rid of 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 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 problem 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 notice a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring further treatments. On the other hand, you might see increased activity following the initial treatment, as it can drive 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 several hours to dry, and you'll have to vacate your home while it dries.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company erects a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to find another place to stay during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional knows 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?

Some pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for addressing infestations. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using pesticides derived 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 single treatment, while others offer ongoing treatments to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options 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.