Michelle NatiAuthor
Michelle Nati is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She has written about home impr...
Updated Apr. 22, 2024
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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.
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.
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:
While an infestation will typically require professional extermination, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to take preventative steps.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Experts Ready to Help
Ask the following questions to make sure you get a pest control provider that can address your specific needs.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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