10 best pest control companies in Dunedin, Florida

In Dunedin, you might come across pests such as termites, snakes and bees. You can take action yourself to prevent potential pest problems, but you may need to reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with an infestation. Qualified pest control professionals in the Dunedin area have the skills to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

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

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. They'll identify where pests have nested, and tailor a treatment plan that could include blocking access points, using traps or spraying chemicals. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be contained for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Dunedin

Look for pest control companies in Dunedin 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 Dunedin?

Different pests infest different places. Here are some signs of common pests in Dunedin.

• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest in debris, wood, rock piles and overgrown grass and are more active during the spring and summer months. Signs of a snake infestation include snake eggs and shed snake skins. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you think a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, contact a pest control professional right away.
• Termites: Termites feed on the cellulose fibers found in wood. They may be present in your home if you notice cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes, termite swarms, droppings or wood that sounds hollow when you knock on it.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so you’re at a higher risk of an infestation if you live in a wet climate or have bodies of water nearby. Mosquitoes are active at night — as the sun goes down, they emit a high buzzing noise and bite. You may not notice a bite until a few hours later, at which point the area around the bite turns into a bump and becomes itchy. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile and malaria.
• Fleas: If your pet is constantly scratching, 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 transmit various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• 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 find their way indoors. Spotting a line of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, wingless, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment buildings and hotels, they can attach to belongings, such as backpacks, clothing, used furniture and purses. They hide in your bed and in cracks and crevices during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may see the bugs themselves or find blood smears on your mattress or other furniture.
• 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 hard to spot, so you may not notice them until you step on them. Because wasps are so aggressive, it's important that you reach out to a pest management service to remove the nest rather than attempt to remove it yourself. Otherwise, you may risk multiple stings or a severe allergic reaction.

How can you prevent pests in your Dunedin home?

While an infestation will probably require professional extermination, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to take preventative measures.

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 company. 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 invading your home. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep food storage areas, sinks and counters clean and sanitized when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage often, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in tall grass, standing water, trash and leaves. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the easiest 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 entrances will help keep insects and small animals from entering your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as little as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for cracks, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control service, ask the following questions to verify they have the knowledge to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification compliant with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

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 make a treatment schedule based on the location of your property, type of pest, severity of the infestation and type of treatment. Pest control technicians 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 control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer months and others ongoing 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 needed to resolve your pest issue will vary based on the type and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting additional treatments. Alternatively, you may see more activity following the first treatment, as it can drive 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 can stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing up entry points. But if a pesticide is used, it may need several hours to dry, and you'll have to leave the house while it dries.

Certain treatments can be especially time-consuming like termite fumigation. The pest control provider erects a tent around your home, which is left in place for three days to apply the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to stay in a hotel or other accommodations.

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 plants, animals and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for treating infestations. This means they use products with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing up gaps for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from organic ingredients.

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 available options 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.