8 best pest control companies in Ruston, Louisiana

Pests most often found in Ruston are fleas, flies and snakes. You can try preventative solutions to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. A professional pest control service in Ruston can safely diagnose, address and solve your pest problems.

A pest infestation can lead to structural damage and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause irreversible damage to your home’s structure and spread disease.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. A technician will locate nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or spraying pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be solved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Ruston

Look for pest control companies in Ruston 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 Ruston?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. Check for the following indications of common Ruston pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so humid climates and nearby bodies of water increase your infestation chances. Mosquitoes alert you to their presence with a sharp buzzing noise. They're nocturnal — biting after sunset. You may not notice their bites initially, but the surrounding skin eventually becomes itchy and swollen. Mosquitoes are also known to transmit diseases such as West Nile, malaria and dengue fever.
• 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 the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Beetles: Several beetle species might get into your home and cause significant damage. Carpet beetles can ruin furniture, carpets and bedding, and biscuit beetles infest dried goods, such as grains, rice, pasta, spices, seeds and beans. Though usually harmless to your health, some beetles can cause allergic reactions.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be active at night and will run away when a light turns on. However, you may see them during the day if there is a serious infestation. They often nest in bathrooms, basements and kitchens. Signs of cockroaches include egg casings, droppings that look like brown or black specks and brown stains on walls and floors. Cockroaches can also transmit disease and aggravate respiratory issues.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can invade your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily or greasy food debris. 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.

How can you prevent pests in your Ruston home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be difficult, so preventative measures are the most effective way to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can take the following steps to keep pests out before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause significant damage to your home and health if not addressed quickly. Talk to a pest control expert about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off small entry points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

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 half a foot 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 hide in tall grass, trash, standing water and leaves. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the easiest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, check if national lawn care services such as TruGreen cover your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entryways will help keep insects and small animals from invading your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as little as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for holes, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to make sure you hire a pest control professional that can meet your specific needs.

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 according to the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

Louisiana requires pest control applicators to be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. They must possess either a Ground Owner-Operator License or an Aerial Owner-Operator License with or without phenoxy endorsement.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in the warmer months, while others occur across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from developing.

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 nature and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might see a decline 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 force 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 can stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing holes and cracks. But if a pesticide is used, it may need hours to dry completely, and you'll have to vacate your home while it dries.

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 release the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

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 animals, plants and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for addressing an infestation. This means they use products with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for 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 service professional.

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.