Termites, roaches, mice and other pests are unfortunate facts of life for many homeowners. How do you choose the right pest control professional in Boston? According to Vic Palermo, Boston pest control expert and president of Ultra Safe Pest Management, there are several characteristics to look for in a pest control company. Here are just a few.
The Basics
First and foremost, Palermo says, it’s important to ensure that the pest control company you hire has the appropriate licenses and insurance. “Under no circumstances,” he says, “should you hire someone who isn’t licensed and properly insured.” Additionally, he says, ask whether or not the company guarantees its work. The better the warranty, the more confident the company is in the quality of its work. If a company is unwilling to offer a warranty, it’s best to take your business elsewhere.
Training and Certifications
“Massachusetts has fairly tough requirements,” Palermo explains, “for licensure as a pest management worker, and individuals working in this field must continue to educate themselves on an ongoing basis in order to stay licensed.” Beyond these requirements, though, pest control companies vary widely in terms of the level of skill and training they expect from their technicians. At Ultra Safe Pest Management, Palermo says, new technicians are partnered with more experienced technicians for extensive on-the-job training before being allowed to respond to service calls alone. “Experience is something that can’t be taught,” he says. “We find that shadowing is the best way to get new employees up to speed quickly.”
You will also want to be sure that your technician is skilled in dealing with the exact type of pest control problem you’re experiencing. Reviewing his certifications is the best way to determine his areas of expertise. Certifications in the pest control field are specific to the pests that the holder has been trained to deal with. If you have a rodent problem, for example, you will want to work with a pest control professional that is certified specifically to deal with rodents.
Fair Prices
Price will obviously be a factor in your decision to hire a particular pest control company over another, Palermo says. Be careful, however, not to immediately assume that the lowest price means the best value. While you can certainly find a bargain pest control company in Boston, if a price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Companies that are charging substantially less than their competition have to be cutting corners somewhere. You don’t want to pay less up front only to find that your pest problem persists and you require a second (or third) service call.
Customer Service
In addition to skill and value, Palermo says, a good pest control company will also offer outstanding customer service. “Who wants to deal with someone who’s rude, late, or otherwise disrespectful?” he says. “At Ultra Safe Pest Management, we train all of our technicians to provide excellent customer service. This means, when you hire us, you’ll always deal with a calm, compassionate, responsive professional. We think that’s as important as effectively handling your pest control issue.”
