10 best pest control companies in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

In Upper Darby, you might encounter pests such as mosquitos, flies and mice. You can try preventative measures to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. A professional pest control service in Upper Darby can diagnose, address and resolve your pest problems.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and loved ones. Insects and small animals can cause long-term property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Bringing in pest management professionals decreases these dangers. They'll identify where pests have nested, and tailor a treatment plan that could include sealing entry points, using traps or spraying chemicals. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be solved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Upper Darby

Look for pest control companies in Upper Darby 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 Upper Darby?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species differ. Here are some signs of common pests in the Upper Darby area.

• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so humid climates and nearby bodies of water increase your infestation chances. Mosquitoes alert you to their presence with a sharp buzzing noise. They're most active at night — biting after sunset. You may overlook their bites initially, but the surrounding skin eventually becomes itchy and swollen. Mosquitoes are also known to spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile.
• Wasps: A surge of wasp activity, including frequent indoor appearances, may signal that there's a nest nearby. Wasp nests can be in trees or in your home, but they can also be underground, which you may not realize until you accidentally step on one. More hostile than bees, wasps readily swarm, so it's advisable not to attempt nest removal yourself. Seek assistance from pest management experts to take care of a wasp nest as they have the tools to do so safely.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in rock piles, overgrown grass, debris and wood. 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.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can infest your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also often find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it signifies a larger infestation nearby.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a distinct musky smell and damage household items by nibbling 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.
• Bees: Indications of a bee infestation include hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls, seeing more bees than usual and finding dark smears on your walls. A strange 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 cause allergic reactions.
• Beetles: Numerous beetle species might get into your home and cause significant damage. Carpet beetles can ruin bedding, carpets and furniture, and biscuit beetles infest dried goods, such as beans, pasta, spices, rice, seeds and grains. Though they aren't usually dangerous, some kinds of beetles can cause allergic reactions.

How can you prevent pests in your Upper Darby 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

Left uncontrolled, pests can significantly impact 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 gaps 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 half a foot off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure sinks, counters and food storage areas 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 leaves, tall grass, trash and standing water. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the easiest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen cover your region.

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 tiny as half an inch wide. Be sure to address cracks in your roof or siding and repair 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 company, ask the following questions to verify they have the knowledge to handle your unique situation.

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

Pennslyvania pest control professionals are required to be licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Division of Health and Safety. They should have earned either a Commercial/Public Applicator License or Registered Technician Certififcation in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the treatment type, pest type, property location and infestation severity. Pest control companies generally do not advocate for getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are difficult to reach.

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 once per quarter to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest problem to go away depends on the type and extent 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 additional 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 remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company erects 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?

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?

Some pest treatment companies provide green solutions for treating an infestation. These companies employ methods that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing areas where pests might get in, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a single service or continuous treatments to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the available options with your 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.