10 best pest control companies in Somerville, Massachusetts

Common pests such as rats, mice and flies can regularly get into living spaces in Somerville. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation often requires a pest control expert's help. These certified pest specialists in Somerville can identify the problem and treat it effectively.

Letting a pest problem go unaddressed can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family members and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can substantially minimize the risk of an infestation. A technician will identify nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as shutting off entry points, capturing pests or applying chemicals. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be kept in check for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Somerville

Look for pest control companies in Somerville 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 Somerville?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. Check for these indications of common Somerville pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see an unusually high number, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near sinks, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Bees: An uptick in bees inside or around your home, humming within your walls or dark stains on your walls mayindicate a bee infestation. You may also smell an unpleasant odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey builds up inside, causing mold and fungi growth. Bees can harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially provoking allergic reactions.
• Rats: Signs of a rat problem include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create entryways for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might invade your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food residue. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also frequently make their way indoors. Finding a line of ants in your home means a a larger infestion is nearby.
• Mice: If mice have infiltrated your home, you might see one darting by or find droppings around the size of a grain of rice. Mice often chew on furniture and have a distinct musky odor. They construct nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's scratching more than usual, you may have a flea problem. Although fleas can't live on human skin or hair, if you have an infestation, you'll often find red, itchy marks near your feet and ankles from them jumping up and biting. Fleas also spread disease, such as the bubonic plague.

How can you prevent pests in your Somerville home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are things you can do before pests become a problem to prevent them from getting a foothold in your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, bugs and small animals can significantly harm your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control company to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal openings or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Pests can hide in trash, leaves, tall grass and standing water in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with mowed grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small openings will discourage insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as little as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address cracks in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest prevention and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control company 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) regulates pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources issues commercial applicator licenses and certifications to those providing pest control services in Massachusetts. Professionals must have a Commercial Applicator License or Certification in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest specialist will make a treatment schedule based on the type of pest, severity of the infestation, location of your property and type of treatment. Pest control technicians typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are often at different stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot areas.

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others needed year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the infestation type and severity and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may notice a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring additional treatments. You may also see increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force 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 can remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. However, if your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take a few hours before it's dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 stay elsewhere.

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 come back to 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 animals, plants and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest exterminators provide environmentally friendly methods for addressing infestations. 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 if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a single treatment or recurring treatments to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options they offer.

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.