10 best pest control companies in Redwood City, California

In Redwood City, bed bugs, flies and cockroaches are common pests. While you can try DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation usually requires the attention of a pest control professional. A professional pest control service in Redwood City can safely pinpoint, treat and resolve your pest problems.

Letting a pest problem go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your loved ones and your pets. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. A pest professional will spot infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from closing entry points to using traps or pesticides. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be kept at bay for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Redwood City

Look for pest control companies in Redwood City 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 Redwood City?

While pests are all over, not all of them infest the same places. If you think you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Redwood City area:

• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and scatter when you turn a light on. With a major infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Cockroaches often leave egg casings, brown stains on walls and floors and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.
• Flies: It's common to spot a few flies inside your home during the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave feces resembling clusters of black dots by drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• 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 attaching to backpacks, purses, clothing and secondhand furniture. They are inactive during the day, hiding in beds and near sleeping areas. They come out at night to feed. Spotting the insects themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding means you may have an infestation.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might nest on your property. Carpenter ants target wooden structures while fire ants go after oily or greasy food residue. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also often make their way indoors. Seeing a trail of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a distinct musky smell and damage household items by nibbling through them. They build nests from scavenged materials and torn fibers. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear scratching sounds inside your walls or ceiling.
• Ticks: Ticks typically stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can easily enter your home on your shoes, pets or clothing. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs in upholstery, in carpet fibers and on curtains. You may also see nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.

How can you prevent pests in your Redwood City home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are things you can do before pests become a problem to to keep them from nesting in your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are troublesome and can cause significant damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking proactive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing small entry points, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in standing water, tall grass, leaves and trash. 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 cover your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points will prevent insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as tiny as half an inch in diameter. Don't neglect gaps 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?

When selecting a pest control company, 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) 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 in accordance with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

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 expert's recommended treatment frequency will be determined by factors such as the treatment type, pest type, property location and infestation severity. Generally, pest control companies do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in hard-to-access places.

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing 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?

The time it will take for your pest problem to go away depends on the type and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might notice a decrease in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring more treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should decrease within a matter of 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 find other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount 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 removed from the area, including food, animals and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest specialists provide green solutions for managing infestations. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas where pests can gain access, humanely trapping rodents or applying 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 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.