10 best pest control companies in Terrytown, Louisiana

In Terrytown, termites, mice and flies are common pests. Taking preventative measures yourself can help you stop pest problems, but reaching out to a pest control company is advisable if you spot signs of an existing infestation. Certified pest control professionals in the Terrytown area have the expertise to inspect your home, use appropriate treatments and resolve your pest problems.

Pests that invade your property put your home and family in danger. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. A technician will locate nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or applying chemicals. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Terrytown

Look for pest control companies in Terrytown 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 Terrytown?

While pests are all over, not all of them infest the same places. Check for these signs of common Terrytown pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest indication of a spider infestation. A plentiful supply of insects in the area for spider food and the presence of egg sacs are some more signs you may have a spider problem. Most spiders you may find in your home don't pose a health risk, with the exception of the brown recluse and black widow. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that require medical attention.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and run away when you switch a light on. With a serious infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in basements, kitchens and bathrooms. Cockroaches often leave egg casings, brown stains on walls and floors and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.
• Termites: Termites feed on cellulose fibers found in wood. Signs of an infestation include mud tubes, droppings, cracked or bubbling paint, termite swarms and wood that emits a hollow sound when you knock on it.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart past you unexpectedly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a musky smell and damage household items by chewing through them. They build nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear noises inside your walls or ceiling.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats also create access points for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• 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 finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.

How can you prevent pests in your Terrytown home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be a nightmare, so preventative measures are the most effective strategy to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can take the following steps to keep pests out before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can wreak havoc on your home and health if not addressed promptly. Talk to a pest control professional about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off cracks and holes, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are usually looking for food, making food difficult to access will keep them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a modest distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep sinks, counters and food storage areas clean and sanitized when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash regularly. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, standing water, leaves and tall grass provide ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with cut grass and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest 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

Closing off small openings will discourage 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 keeping pests out and can help you with this task.

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

Louisiana requires pest control applicators to be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. They must possess either a Ground Owner-Operator License or an Aerial Owner-Operator License with or without phenoxy endorsement.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will hinge on factors such as the property location, treatment type, pest type and infestation severity. Generally, pest control companies do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different phases of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in hard-to-access areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer seasons and others ongoing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the nature and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might see a decline in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring more treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should lessen within a matter of 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 while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes 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 stay elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount 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 removed from the area, including animals, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest management companies offer green solutions for treating infestations. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, using humane traps for rodents and using less harmful ingredients.

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 ongoing 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.