10 best pest control companies in Wakefield, Massachusetts

In Wakefield, rats, mice and flies are a regular source of issues. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest problem, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. Skilled pest control professionals in Wakefield know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Pests that infest your property put your home and loved ones in danger. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

Bringing in pest management professionals decreases these dangers. A pest professional will identify infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from closing entry points to using traps or chemicals. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be resolved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Wakefield

Look for pest control companies in Wakefield 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 Wakefield?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. Check for the following signs of common Wakefield pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Rats: If you hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long, you may have a rat problem. Rats chew through food bags, walls and doors, forming access points for themselves.
• Fleas: Fleas typically target pets. Your pet may have fleas if it's constantly scratching itself and has black dots on its skin. While fleas don't live on human skin or hair, they do jump up and bite people, particularly around the ankles. Fleas can also spread various diseases, including the bubonic plague.
• 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 sink drains, high shelves and trash. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one scampering by or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to chew on furniture and emit a musky odor. They make their nests from found materials and shredded fiber. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them rustling in your walls or ceilings.
• Wasps: A surge of wasp activity, including frequent indoor appearances, may signal that there's a nest nearby. Wasp nests can be on 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. Contact a pest control professional to take care of a wasp nest as they have the tools to do so safely.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice a surge in bee activity either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. A strange scent radiating 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 cause serious allergic reactions.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might nest on your property. Carpenter ants target wooden structures while fire ants go after oily or greasy food debris. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also often find their way indoors. Seeing a line of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.

How can you prevent pests in your Wakefield home?

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

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are troublesome and can cause significant damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking preemptive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing cracks and holes, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

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 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 clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects, snakes, and small animals can take refuge in standing water, tall grass, leaves and trash in your yard. One of the easiest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clear of debris and properly maintained with mowed grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, find out if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen service in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entry points will help keep insects and small animals from infiltrating your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as small as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for cracks, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in pest exclusion.

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?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification compliant with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources issues commercial applicator licenses and certifications to those providing pest control services in Massachusetts. Professionals must have a Commercial Applicator License or Certification in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the infestation severity, property location, treatment type and pest type. Pest control companies generally do not recommend 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 pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. 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 takes for your pest issue to go away will vary based on the infestation nature and severity, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may notice a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring supplementary treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should subside within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

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 different location.

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, food and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for managing an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing up gaps for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from organic ingredients.

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 options available with your service professional.

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.