10 best pest control companies in Tarpon Springs, Florida

Common pests such as snakes, spiders and flies can easily get into living spaces in Tarpon Springs. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention techniques, an active infestation most likely requires the attention of a pest control company. A professional pest control service in Tarpon Springs can safely diagnose, treat and solve your pest problems.

Pests that invade your property put your home, family and pets in danger. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

An experienced pest control company can lower these risks. A pest professional will find infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from closing entry points to using traps or 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 Tarpon Springs

Look for pest control companies in Tarpon Springs 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 Tarpon Springs?

Though pests exist everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in the Tarpon Springs area:

• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so living in wet climates or near bodies of water puts your home at a higher risk of infestation. Mosquitoes are active at night and signal their presence through a sharp buzzing noise. Bites might not be instantly noticeable, but later the spots will become swollen and itchy. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and West Nile.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might infest your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food debris. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also frequently make their way indoors. Spotting a trail of ants in your home means a a larger infestion is nearby.
• Wasps: If you see more wasps than usual, and they start to getting into your home regularly, you may have a nest nearby. Nests can be above or below ground, which you may not realize until you accidentally disturb one. Wasps show more aggression than bees and will swarm. Avoid attempting wasp nest removal by yourself, as this can be extremely dangerous.
• 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 leaping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Flies: It's common to see a few flies inside your home during the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave feces resembling clusters of black dots by sinks, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Tarpon Springs 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 prevent pest infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues in your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest control professional about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off cracks and holes, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests commonly seek out food sources, limiting their food access will prevent them from infesting your home. 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 often, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entrances will deter insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as small as half an 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 prevention.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control provider with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected 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 treatment type, infestation severity, pest type and property location. Generally, pest control professionals 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 places.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively 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?

The time it will take for your pest problem to be resolved depends on the nature and extent of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might notice a decrease in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring further treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should subside within a matter of 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 entry points. However, 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 erects a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to vacate your home during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is all right for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as animals, plants and food must be removed from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for managing infestations. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. 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 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.