Just like residential properties, Commercial facilities are vulnerable to occasional pest invasions. Unfortunately, a small rodent/pest problem in such an environment can escalate quickly into a full-blown invasion. This can really damage the reputation of the business, and cause a substantial loss to your bottom-line. They key is to remain proactive to avoid pest problems in the first place.
In most cases, it’s best to hire a Commercial pest control professional than trying to do it yourself. It is very true especially in commercial properties where a pest problem is ongoing. Developing a comprehensive and a continual pest control program will go a long way in keeping your business pest free and in compliance with the rules and regulations in place. Here the top considerations you should keep in mind when hiring a commercial pest control services provider.
1. Conduct a background check on the company and its technicians
Before you allow any pest control services provider to enter your commercial property, ask to see their identification, certification, and license, paying careful attention to see if it’s current. Nearly every state in the country requires that each technician is certified and that the actively participate in annual training in order to keep the license current.
Also, check to see if the company is insured and bonded. It’s a good way to ensure that the property and the business are protected against liability. Check the company’s website and take note of the small details. Does it look professional enough? Do their values align with your own? Is it knowledgeable enough?
2. Evaluate their Knowledge and Professionalism
The sales representative, the technician, or anyone else interacts with from the company should be knowledgeable enough to respond to any pest control concerns or questions that you might have. There could be a question or two that they don’t know offhand, and if that’s the case they should be willing to say they will find out soon and let you know. In general, it’s best to get an honest “I don’t know” than to get a made-up answer.
When they send a technician to your door, the uniform and their overall appearance should look clean and professional. The equipment, truck, and chemicals will all spell “high quality” and provide you with the feeling of trust and professionalism.
3. Check Out References
Before you commit your money or contact a pest control services company, it’s important to ask for referrals from your friends, family, and other businesses in your vicinity. Be sure to check your local or state pest control Association, or go to sites such as NPMA.com where you can get a state-by-state list of providers.
It’s always a good idea to check the company rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In case you don’t get any recommendations, you can ask the provider for good references, and then follow up the customer is provided with calls.
4. Pricing and Options
As a rule of thumb, a low price doesn’t necessarily mean a good deal. A company that claims it will remedy at your problem in a single service for a given amount of money, and you find your problem still exists even after paying for the service, you won’t have saved any money. Rather, you’ll be more likely to be frustrated, and looking to start over with another provider. This way, you will end up paying significantly more, than you would have if you chose quality or price in the first place.
If you intend to hire a commercial pest control services company for an ongoing service, be sure to discuss your options with a sales representative, or the technician. Depending on your situation, find out whether quarterly service can take care of the problem, or a monthly service will be ideal. You might want to start with a monthly (or a more frequent) plan to first alleviate the problem, and then progressively drop to a less frequent schedule. Ensure that you read the contract carefully to understand all the fine print. Ask any questions you might have before signing on the line.
5. Service
Of course, before any service is conducted, the technician should walk you through exactly what the situation is like, ask what and where you’ve seen or heard, and make sure they understand your pest problem/concerns. From this discussion, they can then inspect your commercial property via a professional eye, identifying all the problems, and setting up a comprehensive treatment plan.
In most cases, chemicals will be used for elimination. However, they should be willing to discuss the chemicals they expect to use, whether there are non-chemical alternatives and any possible effects. Upon your request, they should be able to give you an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), as well as specimen label for every chemical used.
6. Recommendations
During the service, the commercial pest control services provider should give you a few recommendations for future prevention. Based on the services performed, this could come at any point during the service. For instance, if any structural issues are found, the technician might wait until the end to recommend a few maintenance actions like repairing holes or screen replacement.
After the service is complete, the company should offer you a report that details all the services performed, necessary follow-up, and general customer advice. It should also come with an outline of the costs.
