10 best pest control companies in Greenwood, South Carolina

Pests commonly encountered in Greenwood are fleas, mice and flies. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest problem, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in Greenwood can diagnose, treat and resolve your pest problems.

Letting a pest issue go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family and your pets. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

A reputable pest control company can reduce these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as blocking holes, capturing pests or spraying chemicals. Once the right solution is implemented, pests can be kept at bay for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Greenwood

Look for pest control companies in Greenwood 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 Greenwood?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally target the same regions. Check for the following indications of common Greenwood pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Termites: Termites feed on the cellulose fibers found in wood. They may be present in your home if you notice cracked or bubbling paint, termite swarms, droppings, mud tubes or wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but a noticeable increase could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around trash, sink drains and high shelves. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Bees: If you see more bees than usual inside or around your home, have dark stains on your walls or hear humming inside the walls, you may have a bee infestation. You might also notice an odd smell coming from your walls. This happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, causing the growth of mold. Bees can easily harm your family or your pets, as bee stings often provoke allergic reactions.
• Ticks: Ticks usually stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can enter your home on your shoes, pets or clothing. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs in upholstery, on curtains and in carpet fibers. You may also spot nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.
• 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.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting in wood, overgrown grass, rock piles and debris. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to contact a pest control company.
• 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 noticeable musky odor. 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.

How can you prevent pests in your Greenwood home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are things you can do before pests become a problem to keep them at bay.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly impact your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control service to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal cracks or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are usually in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will deter them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure food storage areas, counters and sinks are kept clean and disinfected when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in tall grass, trash, standing water and leaves. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the simplest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen cover your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small openings will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as half an inch wide. Be sure to address holes in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest exclusion services and can help you with this task.

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 consistent with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

Pest control professionals must have earned a Commercial, Non-commercial, Business, Private or Dealer Certification in order to apply or sell pesticides in South Carolina. Licenses are issued through the South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others occurring year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to solve your pest issue will vary based on the type and extent of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may notice less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting further treatments. Alternatively, you may notice more pests following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should subside 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 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.

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 release the pesticide. You'll have to seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

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 tell you what items you must clear from the space such as plants, food and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest exterminators provide green solutions for treating infestations. This involves using techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using 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 single service or ongoing treatment to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the 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.