10 best pest control companies in Tracy, California

Pests most often seen in Tracy are ants, fleas and bed bugs. You can take action yourself to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to call in a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. These licensed pest specialists in Tracy can diagnose the problem and treat it effectively.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and loved ones. Insects and small animals can cause long-term property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can decrease these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create personalized treatment plans that could include closing off gaps, using traps or spraying pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be solved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Tracy

Look for pest control companies in Tracy 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 Tracy?

While pests are all over, the hot spots for different species vary. Here are some indications of common pests in Tracy.

• Ants: Numerous ant species might nest on your property. Carpenter ants target wooden structures while fire ants go after oily or greasy food debris. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also often make their way indoors. Seeing a line of ants in your home means a a larger infestion is nearby.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes in debris, rock piles, areas withovergrown grass and wood. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer months, but if you see more than usual, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots around trash, on high shelves and near sink drains. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Fleas: If your pet is always scratching itself, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not live on human skin or hair, they leap to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can spread various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a flat reddish-brown appearance. Apartment complexes and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into purses, used furniture, clothing and backpacks. They nest in beds and couches by day, then come out while you're sleeping. If you spot the insects themselves or find blood smears on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Tracy home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation usually requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to mitigate the risk of pests.

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

Because pests commonly seek out food sources, limiting their food access will discourage them from sticking around. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep counters, food storage areas and sinks clean and disinfected when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage regularly, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, trash, standing water and leaves create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing 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 service your location.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing 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 gaps in your roof or siding and repair 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?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the application of pest control substances 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?

What treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the infestation severity, pest type, property location and treatment type. Pest control companies generally do not recommend getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are hard to access.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some carried out only during the warmer seasons and others occurring throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments once per quarter to stop new infestations from forming.

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 notice a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring more treatments. You may also see increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company sets up a tent over your entire home for three days to release the pesticide. You'll have to find another place to stay during this process.

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?

Some pest control providers offer green solutions for managing an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a single treatment, while others offer continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the options available with your pest control expert.

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.