10 best pest control companies in Saugus, Massachusetts

In Saugus, rats, mice and flies are a regular source of problems. While you can try DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation most likely requires a pest control expert's help. Certified pest specialists in Saugus know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go unaddressed can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family members and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that could include plugging gaps, using traps or spraying chemicals. 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 Saugus

Look for pest control companies in Saugus 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 Saugus?

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

• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is if you notice a growing amount of spiderwebs in your home. Other signs include egg sacs and lots of other insects, which spiders like to feed on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the black widow and brown recluse. Both have painful, venomous bites.
• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling, you may have a rat problem. Rats chew through doors, walls and food bags, forming access points for themselves.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but a significant number could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around trash, high shelves and sink drains. 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 odor. 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.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is always itching, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do leap up to bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Apartment buildings and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They get into your home by attaching to used furniture, clothing, purses and backpacks. They are inactive during the day, concealing themselves in beds and near sleeping areas. At night, they come out to feed. Seeing bed bugs themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding indicates you may have an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Saugus home?

While an infestation will probably require professional extermination, the best way to avoid infestations is to take preventative measures.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are disruptive and can cause considerable damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control service 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 usually seek out food sources, limiting their food access will discourage them from sticking around. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep sinks, counters and food storage areas clean and disinfected when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage often, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small entry points 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 gaps, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in keeping pests 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) 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 following EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

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?

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

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others happening 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 will vary depending on the infestation nature and severity, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may perceive a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring further treatments. On the other hand, you might see increased activity after the initial treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should subside within a few days' time.

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. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 apply the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to stay in a hotel or other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is all right for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as plants, food and animals must be cleared from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest specialists provide environmentally conscious methods for treating infestations. This involves using methods that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing areas 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 if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a single treatment or continuous services 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.