10 best pest control companies in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

In Tuscaloosa, spiders, rats and snakes are the most frequent source of problems. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest issue, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. Experienced pest control professionals in the Tuscaloosa area have the expertise to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

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

Hiring pest control pros can significantly reduce the risk of an infestation. A technician will locate nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or applying pesticides. 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 Tuscaloosa

Look for pest control companies in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Tuscaloosa:

• Flies: It's common to see a few flies inside your home during 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.
• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest indication of a spider infestation. Many 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 need medical attention.
• 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.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can invade your home. Carpenter ants are drawn to wood, while fire ants like oily or greasy food debris. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also commonly make their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it points to a larger infestation nearby.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, hear scratching in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats will also eat into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create access points.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes among debris, wood, rock piles and areas withovergrown grass. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and flee when you switch a light on. With a heavy infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in bathrooms, basements and kitchens. Cockroaches often leave droppings that look like brown or black specks, brown stains on walls and floors and egg casings. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.

How can you prevent pests in your Tuscaloosa 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, insects and vermin can significantly impact 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 access points or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests primarily seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of six inches 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

Insects and small animals can hide in leaves, standing water, tall grass and trash. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the most straightforward ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, check if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points will discourage insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as a half-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 prevention and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control service, ask the following questions to verify they have the knowledge to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Pest control professionals in Alabama are required to have a Commercial Applicator Permit. They are certified through the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will depend on factors such as the infestation severity, property location, pest type and treatment type. Generally, pest control companies 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 areas.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are carried out in all seasons. 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 problem 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 supplementary treatments. You may also see 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 during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when holes and cracks are being sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take a few hours to dry completely, and you'll need to stay out of your home during this period.

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 at a hotel or with friends or family.

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 plants, animals and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for addressing an infestation. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a single treatment, while others offer ongoing treatments to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options with your service provider.

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.