10 best pest control companies in San Mateo, California

In San Mateo, ants, flies and mosquitos are a regular cause of issues. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest issue, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in San Mateo can safely pinpoint, treat and solve your pest problems.

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 and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can significantly lower the risk of an infestation. A pest professional will spot infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from plugging holes to using traps or pesticides. When the proper fixes are implemented, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in San Mateo

Look for pest control companies in San Mateo 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 San Mateo?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. Check for these signs of common San Mateo pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Ants: Numerous ant species might infest your property. Carpenter ants target wooden structures 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. Finding a trail of ants in your home means a a larger infestion is nearby.
• 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 attaching to used furniture, clothing, backpacks and purses. They are inactive during the day, concealing themselves in beds and near sleeping areas. They come out at night to feed. Seeing the insects themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding indicates you may have an infestation.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so humid climates and nearby bodies of water increase your infestation chances. Mosquitoes alert you to their presence with a high-pitched buzzing noise. They're nocturnal creatures — feeding after sunset. You may overlook their bites initially, but the surrounding skin eventually swells and itches. Mosquitoes are also known to spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around sink drains, high shelves and trash. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's frequently scratching itself, you may have a flea problem. Although fleas can't live on human skin or hair, if you have an infestation, you'll often find red, itchy marks near your feet and ankles from them jumping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.

How can you prevent pests in your San Mateo 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 invading your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

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

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 six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure food storage areas, counters and sinks are kept clean and disinfected when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, tall grass, leaves and standing water give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with a mowed lawn and trimmed foliage is one of the most straightforward ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, check if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen service your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small openings 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 cracks in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant 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?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the specific treatment method, the severity of the infestation, the particular pest type and the location of the property. In most cases, pest control companies advise against relying on a single treatment to get rid of household pests, as there will likely be insects at various stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-find spots.

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 will take for your pest problem to go away depends on the infestation type and severity 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 further treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can flush pests out of 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 remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. However, if your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

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 release the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to stay elsewhere.

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 let you know what items you must take out of the space such as plants, food and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest specialists provide green solutions for addressing an infestation. This means they use products with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing areas where pests might get in, using humane traps for rodents and using less harmful ingredients.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a one-time treatment or ongoing treatments to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options 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.