10 best pest control companies in Salem, Massachusetts

In Salem, rats, mice and flies are common pests. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest problem, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. Certified pest control professionals in the Salem area have the skills to inspect your home, apply the right treatments and resolve your pest problems.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and family. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

Bringing in exterminators decreases these dangers. They'll determine where pests have nested, and create a treatment plan that could include sealing access points, using traps or applying pesticides. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest infestation for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Salem

Look for pest control companies in Salem 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 Salem?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species vary. Check for the following signs of common Salem pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer months, but if you see a significant number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots on high shelves, near sink drains and around trash. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• 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 gnaw on furniture and have a musk. They construct nests with foraged materials and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Bees: An uptick in bees inside or around your home, humming within your walls or dark stains on your walls mayindicate a bee infestation. You may also smell an odd odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, causing mold and fungi growth. Bees can harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially provoking allergic reactions.
• 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 eat into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create access points.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, wingless, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment buildings and hotels, they can hitch a ride on belongings, such as clothing, backpacks, purses and used furniture. They hide in your bed and in nooks and crannies during the day then become active during the night. When you have an infestation, you may spot the insects or find bloody marks on your bed or other furniture.

How can you prevent pests in your Salem home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to to keep them from infesting your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly harm 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

Since pests are usually in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will prevent them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure sinks, food storage areas and counters are clean and sanitized when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can take refuge in tall grass, leaves, trash 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 cut 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

Closing off access points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just a half-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?

To find a pest control company 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) 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.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources issues commercial applicator licenses and certifications to those providing pest control services in Massachusetts. Professionals must have a Commercial Applicator License or Certification in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the property location, pest type, treatment type and infestation severity. Pest control companies generally do not advocate for getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are difficult to reach.

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?

How long it will take for your pest issue to disappear depends on the type and severity of the infestation and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring additional treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, this should subside within a few 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 can typically take 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 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?

Certain pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for treating infestations. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a single service or ongoing treatment to tackle a stubborn pest problem. Be sure to discuss the options with your provider.

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.