10 best pest control companies in York, Illinois

In York, mice, rats and spiders are common pests. Implementing preventative measures on your own can help you prevent pest problems, but calling a pest control company is advisable if you notice an existing infestation. These pest exterminators in York can pinpoint the problem and treat it effectively.

Pests that invade your property put your home and family in danger. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

An experienced pest control company can lower these risks. They'll determine where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include sealing entry points, using traps or applying chemicals. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in York

Look for pest control companies in York 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 York?

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

• 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 smell. They make their nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them 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 don't attempt to remove a wasp nest on your own. Seek assistance from pest management experts to take care of a wasp nest as they have the tools to do so safely.
• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest in debris, wood, rock piles and overgrown grass and are more active during the warmer months of the year. Signs of a snake infestation include shed snake skins and snake eggs. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you suspect a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so living in damp climates or near bodies of water puts your property at a higher risk of infestation. Mosquitoes are active at night and signal their presence through a high-pitched buzzing noise. Bites might not be instantly noticeable, but later the spots will become itchy and raised. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile and malaria.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be most active during nighttime and will flee when a light turns on. However, you may see them during the day if you have a serious infestation. They often nest in basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Signs of cockroaches include brown stains on walls and floors, egg casings and droppings that look like brown or black specks. Cockroaches can also transmit disease and worsen respiratory issues.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats can chew through walls, doors and food packaging to create access points for themselves.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Apartment complexes and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They spread to your home by attaching to purses, secondhand furniture, backpacks and clothing. They are inactive during the day, concealing themselves in beds and small cracks. At night, they come out to feed. Seeing the bugs themselves or blood stains on your mattress or bedding suggests you may have an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your York home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation usually requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to mitigate the risk of pests.

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 expert. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are usually 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 food storage areas, sinks and counters 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

Trash, standing water, tall grass and leaves 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, check if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

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

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, ask the following questions to verify they have the expertise 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) governs 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.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the governing body that provides licenses to pest control professionals servicing Illinois. Pesticide applicators should have a Commercial Applicator's License to work in the state.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist suggests will depend on the infestation severity, pest type, property location and treatment 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 hard to access.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer seasons and others occurring 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?

How long it will take for your pest issue 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 see a decline in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring additional treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can flush pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This can typically take a few hours.

Some services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

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, animals and food must be removed from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest management companies provide green solutions for treating infestations. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using pesticides derived 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 recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the service packages 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.