10 best pest control companies in Scotch Plains, New Jersey

In Scotch Plains, flies, mice and moths are a regular cause of issues. You can take action yourself to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. These qualified pest control professionals in Scotch Plains can identify the problem and resolve it effectively.

Pests that infest your property put your home and family in danger. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to the structure of your home and spread disease.

Bringing in exterminators lowers these risks. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from plugging holes to using traps or chemicals. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for good.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Scotch Plains

Look for pest control companies in Scotch Plains 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 Scotch Plains?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. If you think you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Scotch Plains area:

• Mosquitos: If you live in a wet climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are drawn to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a distinct buzzing noise that indicates their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, itchy spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also nibble into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create access points.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths often invade homes. Clothes moths feed on wool and cotton, leaving behind silky furrows, tunnels, trenches and small tubes, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths penetrate plastic food packaging and leave web-like residue in pantry corners. Moths are attracted to fermented sugar, ripe fruit and light.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer months, but if you see a large number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots near sink drains, around trash and on high shelves. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one darting through a room or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to chew on furniture and emit a distinctive musky smell. They make their nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them rustling in your walls or ceilings.
• Spiders: Seeing more spiderwebs and spiders than usual is the strongest indicator of spider infestations. Additional clues include a significant number of other insects for the spiders to feed on and visible egg sacs. While spiders found in homes are generally harmless, brown recluses and black widows deliver venemous bites that require medical attention.

How can you prevent pests in your Scotch Plains 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

Left uncontrolled, bugs and small animals can significantly affect your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control service to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal access points or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests mainly 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 sanitized between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, leaves, trash and standing water create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly cutting your grass and trimming foliage are among the simplest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, check whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen operate in your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points will discourage insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as little as half an inch in diameter. Don't neglect holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in blocking pests.

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) oversees the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

New Jersy pest control professionals should be licensed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Compliance & Enforcement, having completed 40 hours of training in order to earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will depend on factors such as the pest type, property location, infestation severity and treatment type. Generally, pest control providers 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 pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are done throughout the year. 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 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 notice 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 decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to 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 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 apply the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay at a different location.

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 safe 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 removed from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for addressing infestations. These companies employ methods that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, trapping rodents or using pesticides made from natural sources.

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.