10 best pest control companies in Port St. Lucie, Florida

In Port St. Lucie, snakes, mosquitos and spiders are common pests. While you can try DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation most likely requires the attention of a pest control professional. Qualified pest exterminators in the Port St. Lucie area have the expertise to inspect your home, use the right treatments and resolve your pest problems.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home, family and pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause irreversible damage to your home’s structure and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can decrease these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or spraying pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be resolved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Port St. Lucie

Look for pest control companies in Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species vary. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Port St. Lucie area:

• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so nearby bodies of water and humid climates increase your infestation chances. Mosquitoes alert you to their presence with a distinctive buzzing noise. They're nocturnal creatures — feeding after sunset. You may not notice their bites initially, but the surrounding skin eventually swells and itches. Mosquitoes are also known to transmit diseases such as malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.
• Beetles: A variety of beetles can find their way into your home and cause considerable damage. Carpet beetles will damage carpets, bedding and upholstered furniture. Biscuit beetles make their way into products such as pasta, beans, seeds, rice and spices. While beetles are rarely a hazard to your health, some can trigger allergic reactions.
• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the clearest sign of a spider infestation. A plentiful supply of insects in the area for spider food and the presence of egg sacs are some more signs you may have a spider problem. Most spiders you may find in your home don't pose a health risk, with the exception of the brown recluse and black widow. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that require medical attention.
• Rats: You may have a rat problem if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also chew into food wrappings and bite into walls and doors to create entryways.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting among debris, overgrown grass, rock piles and wood. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to seek professional pest management help.
• Termites: Termites feed on the cellulose fibers found in wood. They may be present in your home if you notice termite swarms, mud tubes, droppings, cracked or bubbling paint or wood that emits a hollow sound when you knock on it.

How can you prevent pests in your Port St. Lucie home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably 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 company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key 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 six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure counters, sinks and food storage areas are kept clean and sanitized when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, leaves, standing water and trash create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly cutting your grass and trimming foliage are among the easiest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points will prevent insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as little as a half-inch in diameter. Don't neglect holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in pest exclusion.

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.

Florida requires pest control technicians to be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Private, Public or Commercial Applicator Licenses are all available through this office.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will hinge on factors such as the infestation severity, treatment type, property location and pest type. Generally, pest control providers do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in hard-to-access areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer months and others continuing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it takes for your pest problem to disappear will vary based on the infestation nature and extent, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may perceive a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring additional treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should decrease within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take several hours to dry, and you'll need to stay out of the house during this period.

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 release the pesticide. You must stay elsewhere during that time.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional knows how much of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be removed from the area, including plants, animals and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest specialists offer green solutions for treating infestations. This involves using products that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for 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 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.