10 best pest control companies in South Gate, California

Pests commonly encountered in South Gate are flies, fleas and bees. Implementing preventative measures by yourself can help you avoid pest problems, but reaching out to a pest control company is best if you notice an existing infestation. Licensed pest control professionals in South Gate know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and loved ones. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that may include closing off cracks, using traps or spraying pesticides. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be controlled for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in South Gate

Look for pest control companies in South Gate 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 South Gate?

Different pests invade different areas. Here are some indications of common pests in South Gate.

• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so you’re at a higher risk of an infestation if you live in a humid climate or have bodies of water nearby. Mosquitoes are nocturnal — as the sun goes down, they emit a distinctive buzzing noise and feed. You may not notice a bite until a few hours later, at which point the area around the bite appears raised and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Ticks: Ticks can easily enter homes by hitching a ride on shoes, pets or clothing, after they're picked up by you or your family while outdoors. Once inside, a female tick will lay her eggs in carpet fibers, in upholstery or on curtains. Other common nesting spots include along baseboards, in the lining or pockets of clothing and in corners.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in wood, rock piles, debris and overgrown grass. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to seek professional pest management help.
• Bees: Indications of a bee infestation include seeing more bees than usual, hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls and finding dark smears on your walls. An odd odor may also come from your walls. This happens when mold and fungi grow inside due to bees dying or honey seeping into the walls. Bees can also harm your family and pets, as their stings can provoke allergic reactions.
• Termites: Termites feed on cellulose fibers found in wood. Signs of an infestation include droppings, termite swarms, cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes and wood that emits a hollow sound when you tap on it.

How can you prevent pests in your South Gate home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to reduce the risk of infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, pests can significantly affect your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control company to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal cracks 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 counters, food storage areas and sinks 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 trash, leaves, standing water and tall grass in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with a neatly trimmed lawn 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 entry points will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as half an inch wide. Be sure to address openings in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest exclusion services and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to make sure you get a pest control professional that can handle 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 according to the agency's standards and the laws of the affected 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?

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

Pest professionals generally advise continuous 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 be resolved depends on the infestation type and severity 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 more treatments. You may also notice increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from 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 remain 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 typically takes a few hours.

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 find another place to stay.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A service professional will know how much of a particular product to use, how long it takes to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the area that's been treated. Before applying any treatment, they should educate you on what you must remove from the affected space, such as animals, plants and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control services provide green solutions for addressing an infestation. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas where pests can gain access, humanely trapping rodents or applying pesticides made from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a single treatment or continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the treatments 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.