10 best pest control companies in Desert Hot Springs, California

In Desert Hot Springs, you may encounter pests such as flies, cockroaches and ants. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation usually requires the help of a pest control company. Experienced pest exterminators in Desert Hot Springs know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Pests that invade your property put your home and loved ones in danger. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

Bringing in pest management professionals mitigates these dangers. A technician will identify nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as shutting off access points, capturing pests 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 Desert Hot Springs

Look for pest control companies in Desert Hot 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 Desert Hot Springs?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Desert Hot Springs:

• Ants: Your home could be invaded by various ant types. Carpenter ants burrow into wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also commonly get into homes. Ant trails inside your home signal larger ant nests are nearby.
• Bees: more bees inside or around your home, humming within your walls or dark stains on your walls maypoint to a bee infestation. You may also smell a strange odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, leading to mold and fungi growth. Bees can easily harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially causing allergic reactions.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around high shelves, sink drains and trash. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are nocturnal, but you may see some during the day if you have a severe infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Cockroaches commonly leave brown smears on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble ground black pepper. Cockroaches transmit disease and can even exacerbate respiratory problems.
• Rats: Signs of rats include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats can nibble through doors, walls and food packaging to create access points for themselves.

How can you prevent pests in your Desert Hot 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 reduce the risk of infestations.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are troublesome and can cause extensive damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control service about taking proactive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing cracks and holes, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, leaves, standing water and tall grass offer 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 access points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just a half-inch in diameter. Repair holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest blocking services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

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

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates 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.

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 pest type, infestation severity, treatment type and property location. Pest control providers 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 pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest issue to disappear depends on the type and severity of the infestation and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring supplementary treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can flush pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take several hours to dry, and you'll need to stay out of the house during this period.

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 apply the pesticide. You'll have to find another place to stay 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 take out of the space such as animals, plants and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest management companies provide green solutions for addressing infestations. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. 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 organic ingredients.

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 service packages 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.