10 best pest control companies in Toledo, Ohio

In Toledo, you may come across pests such as rats, bees and flies. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest problem, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. These pest experts in Toledo can pinpoint the problem and treat it effectively.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home, family and pets. Insects and small animals can cause irreversible structural damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Bringing in exterminators reduces these dangers. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from closing entry points to using traps or chemicals. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest infestation for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Toledo

Look for pest control companies in Toledo 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 Toledo?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. Here are some indications of common pests in the Toledo area.

• Flies: It's common to spot a few flies inside your home in the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave droppings resembling clusters of black dots by sinks, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear buzzing noises inside your walls, notice a surge in bee activity either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An unpleasant odor coming from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets in that their stings can provoke allergic reactions.
• Rats: Signs of a rat problem include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats can chew through doors, food packaging and walls to create access points for themselves.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart past you unexpectedly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a noticeable 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.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are flat, wingless, reddish-brown insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment buildings and hotels, they can hitch a ride on belongings, such as backpacks, secondhand furniture, purses and clothing. They hide in your bed and in cracks and crevices during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may see the bugs themselves or find blood stains on your mattress or other furniture.

How can you prevent pests in your Toledo home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to prevent them from getting a foothold in your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause significant damage to 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 access points, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests typically seek out food sources, limiting their food access will stop them from invading your home. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep food storage areas, counters and sinks clean and disinfected when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage consistently, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, leaves, tall grass and standing water provide ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard tidy 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, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entrances will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as small 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 pest prevention.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control provider that's qualified to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

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 in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

Ohio requires pest control professionals to have a Commercial or Private Applicator License through the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the particular pest type, the specific treatment method, the location of the property and the severity of the infestation. In most cases, pest control providers 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-spot areas.

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others occurring year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to resolve your pest issue will vary based on the type and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting further treatments. Alternatively, you may see more pests following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should subside within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take a few hours to dry completely, and you'll need to leave the house during this period.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company places a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge how much 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 plants, food and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for addressing infestations. This means they use techniques 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 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.