10 best pest control companies in West Haven, Connecticut

Pests such as mice, cockroaches and flies can easily make their way into houses in West Haven. You can try DIY measures to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Experienced pest exterminators in West Haven know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to your home’s structure and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can decrease these risks. A technician will locate nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or spraying chemicals. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in West Haven

Look for pest control companies in West Haven 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 West Haven?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in West Haven:

• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and flee when you turn a light on. With a major 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, droppings that look like brown or black specks and brown stains on walls and floors. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.
• 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. 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 provoke serious allergic reactions.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a noticeable 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 scratching sounds inside your walls or ceiling.
• Fleas: If your pet is continually itching, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not live on human skin or hair, they leap to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can spread various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also eat into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create access points.
• Ticks: Though ticks typically stay close to the ground outside, they can enter your home via shoes, clothing or pets. Inside, female ticks lay eggs on curtains, in carpet fibers or in upholstery. Nests may also be hidden along baseboards, in the lining or pockets of clothing and in corners.

How can you prevent pests in your West Haven home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be a headache, so preventative measures are the most effective way 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 cause serious issues for your home and health when left unchecked. The best way to stop these infestations before they start is to work with a pest control company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are generally in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will discourage them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure counters, sinks and food storage areas are clean and disinfected when not being used. Regularly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, trash, leaves and standing water create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly cutting your grass and trimming foliage are among the easiest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small openings into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just half an inch in diameter. Repair holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control provider with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control substances under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

Pest control technicians in Connecticut must pass an exam to get a Supervisory, Operational or Private Applicator License issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the pest type, treatment type, infestation severity and property location. Pest control providers 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 done 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?

The time it will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the type 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 further treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should decrease within a matter of days.

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 entry points. 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.

Certain treatments can be especially time-consuming like termite fumigation. The pest control provider erects a tent around your home, which is left in place for three days to release the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to find another place to stay.

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 re-enter 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 food, animals and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest exterminators offer eco-friendly methods for treating an infestation. This involves using methods that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made from natural sources.

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 stubborn 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.