Many people don’t start thinking about pest control until they see signs of insects or rodents in their homes or business. This can be stressful as pests can transmit disease and damage your building and property.
If you’re looking for a pest control company, the last thing you want to do is rush to hire the first company you find. When hiring an exterminator, it’s essential to make sure you’ve chosen the best person for your needs, and asking the right questions will help you make that choice. Here are 6 questions to ask an exterminator.
How long have you been in business?
When you work with an established extermination company, you benefit from their knowledge and experience in pest control, and you can trust that they will be there in the future and that they will support their work. You don’t want to hire an exterminator who provides ineffective pest control services and will close in the near future.
Can you give me references from past clients?
You also want to check the reputation of the exterminator in the community. Do not hesitate to ask that he provide you with references from former clients, and on your side, do a search on the internet to find opinions from clients who have used his services.
Do you have a license and certificate?
In Quebec, a pest management company must hold a pest management contractor’s permit from the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. A certificate issued by the same ministry is also required for technicians using pesticides. Ask to see the permit as well as the certificate, so that you can do your checks if necessary.
Do you have liability insurance?
It’s always best to hire a pest control contractor who has liability insurance, so everyone is protected in the event of an accident. In addition, it demonstrates that the entrepreneur has the health of his customers and employees at heart.
How are you going to solve the infestation problem?
Before hiring an exterminator, ensure that he provides you with his action plan to solve your infestation problem and whether he will also take measures to prevent it from returning. The contractor should be able to explain what traps or products they plan to use, the dangers they pose to you or your pets, and whether you will need to leave your home during the treatment.
Indeed, the exterminator must let you know of any potential danger for your family, your pets, and for the environment. If the exterminator uses methods you are not comfortable with, ask if there are alternatives. Otherwise, continue your search.
Do you offer a guarantee on your services?
When looking for a pest control contractor, be sure to ask what warranty you will be offered on their services. You also want to know what plan will be in place should the pests infest your home or business again. Generally, exterminators offer this kind of guarantee and will come back on-site to do an additional treatment.
What are your qualifications?
First, check if the pest control professional has a category C license to practice the profession of an exterminator. Indeed, only this pest control contractor permit issued by the MELCC gives him the right to offer paid pest extermination services. If it is a company, its technicians, or at least the person who runs the operation, must also be certified by the same ministry. This gives him the right to use pesticides dedicated to the extermination of pests. He must therefore be able to identify the parasite that is invading your home after visiting the infested premises.
Do you provide a free quote?
Also ask if the pest control company provides a free quote, which should be based on certain parameters. A moderately-priced Montreal exterminator rates its service according to the type of pest identified and the total area infested. This is why he must first come to your home to ask you specific questions about the signs of infestation. Moreover, a thorough inspection of the house or building is necessary to establish the origin of the infestation. The goal is to develop a suitable treatment plan and determine how long it takes to resolve the problem.
