10 best pest control companies in Palm Harbor, Florida

Common pests such as snakes, spiders and ants can easily get into houses in Palm Harbor. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest issue, but you may need to use a pest control company for an existing infestation. These experienced pest specialists in Palm Harbor can identify the problem and resolve it safely and effectively.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and family. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

Hiring pest control pros can substantially minimize the damage from an infestation. 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 solved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Palm Harbor

Look for pest control companies in Palm Harbor 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 Palm Harbor?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. The following pests are common in the Palm Harbor area, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Ants: Your home could be invaded by various ant types. Carpenter ants nest in wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also often infest homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger colonies are nearby.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is constantly scratching itself, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do jump up and bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Beetles: Different types of beetle breeds can enter homes. Carpet beetles eat the natural fibers in bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. Biscuit beetles infest rice, seeds, pasta, grains, beans and spices. Beetles don't transmit disease or bite, but some may induce allergic reactions.
• Wasps: More wasps than usual in and around your house is a big sign of an infestation. Wasps nest above or below ground. Ground nests are generally hidden, so you may not notice them until you step on them. Because wasps are so aggressive, it's important that you call a pest control company to remove the nest rather than attempt to remove it yourself. Otherwise, you may risk multiple stings or a severe allergic reaction.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a growing number of spiderwebs in your home. Other telltale signs include egg sacs and lots of other insects, which spiders like to feed on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the brown recluse and black widow. Both have painful, venomous bites.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, hear skittering in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long. Rats also create entryways for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Ticks: Ticks typically stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can get into your home on your clothing, shoes or pets. Once inside, a female tick can lay her eggs on curtains, in carpet fibers and in upholstery. You may also see nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.

How can you prevent pests in your Palm Harbor home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be a nightmare, so preventative measures are the most reliable way to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can take action to keep pests out before they make their way into your home.

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

As pests are usually looking for food, making food difficult to access will keep them from invading your home. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a modest distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep food storage areas, sinks and counters clean and disinfected when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash regularly. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, standing water, trash and leaves create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your lawn 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 entrances will deter 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 service 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 according to 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 specialist will create a treatment schedule based on the type of treatment, location of your property, type of pest and severity of the infestation. 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 hidden spots.

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

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the type and severity 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 more treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should lessen within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can 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 be out of the house.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to release the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge 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 management companies offer green solutions for managing an infestation. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, humanely trapping rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

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 one-time solution, while others offer continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the options available with your service 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.