10 best pest control companies in Gilroy, California

In Gilroy, flies, ticks and rats are a regular cause of issues. Implementing preventative measures by yourself can help you avoid pest problems, but contacting a pest control company is advisable if you have an existing infestation. Licensed pest control professionals in Gilroy know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Pests that infest your property put your home and family at risk. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. They'll identify where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include closing off entry points, using traps or spraying pesticides. The right pest solution can take care of your pest infestation for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Gilroy

Look for pest control companies in Gilroy 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 Gilroy?

While pests are all over, not all of them infest the same areas. Check for the following indications of common Gilroy pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around trash, high shelves and sink drains. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Ticks: Ticks usually stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can easily get into your home on your shoes, clothing or pets. Once inside, a female tick can lay her eggs in carpet fibers, on curtains and in upholstery. You may also spot nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.
• Fleas: Fleas typically target pets. Your pet may have fleas if it scratches itself constantly and has black dots on its skin. While fleas don't live on human skin or hair, they do jump up and bite people, particularly around the ankles. Fleas can also spread various diseases, such as the bubonic plague.
• Rats: You may have rats if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats will also eat into food wrappings and chew through walls and doors to create entryways.
• Termites: Termites consume cellulose fibers in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you see cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes, termite swarms or droppings. Another sign is if wood sounds hollow when you tap on it.
• 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 musk. They make nests with scavenged bits and pieces and shredded fibers, and favor tight areas, so you may hear them in your walls and ceilings.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting in overgrown grass, debris, wood and rock piles. Snake skins and snake eggs indicate an infestation. If you think you might have a snake, sprinkle flour in the suspected areas. If you see trails in the flour, contact a pest control service immediately.

How can you prevent pests in your Gilroy home?

While an infestation will typically require professional extermination, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to take preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Insects 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 service. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests mainly seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure sinks, food storage areas and counters stay clean and disinfected between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, standing water, tall grass and leaves offer ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with mowed grass and trimmed foliage is one of the simplest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen service your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just a half-inch in diameter. Repair gaps in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest prevention services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to make sure you get a pest control provider that can address your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the application of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

A Qualified Applicator License or Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for pest control technicians to practice in California.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in the warmer months, while others last across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from developing.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest problem 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 see a decline in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring additional treatments. You may also notice increased activity after the first treatment, as it can drive pests from hiding places. Luckily, this should subside within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing holes and cracks. But if a pesticide is used, it may need hours to dry completely, and you'll have to vacate your home while it dries.

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 find alternative accommodations during that time.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A professional will understand the proper amount of a product to apply, the duration necessary for it to dry, and when it is safe for children and pets to come back to the treated area. Your pest control provider should let you know what items you must take out of the space such as plants, animals and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control services offer green solutions for addressing an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps or applying pesticides made from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a one-time treatment or ongoing treatment to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the available options with your provider.

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.