Is Quarterly Pest Control Worth It?
Typically, homeowners don’t consider pest control services until there’s a problem. Unfortunately, once you spot signs of pests, it’s often too late to prevent a full-blown infestation. Instead, it’s often better to be proactive about monitoring and eliminating critters before they breed beyond your control. That’s where quarterly pest control comes in. We’ll discuss how this service works and whether it’s right for your home.
What Is Quarterly Pest Control?
Quarterly pest control means that a company comes out to perform routine inspections and upkeep four times a year. The primary reason to invest in quarterly pest control is to prevent outbreaks and infestations of various bugs and critters. Since technicians come to your property every few months, it’s nearly impossible for pest problems to spread too much.
Pros of Quarterly Pest Control
Cost Effective Over the Long Term
As a rule, preventative maintenance is a lot cheaper than fixing a problem after the fact. Waiting until you see an infestation can lead to costly processes, such as fumigation and pest removal. Quarterly pest control also protects your home from any damage caused by termites, bees or other stinging insects, rodents, and other pests. By inspecting and spraying your home regularly, you can avoid a massive bill down the road.
Convenient & Proactive
Another significant advantage of quarterly pest control is that technicians can often spray your property while you’re not home. So, you don’t have to plan your day around a visit. Plus, if the pest control professionals do spot something, they can notify you about it and recommend strategies to mitigate the problem.
Even with these advantages, keep in mind that your home might not need continuous upkeep. If you have a newer home with no history of pest control problems, a quarterly service might be too frequent. However, quarterly service will also ensure you don’t incur any bug problems in the future.
Factors That Affect Quarterly Pest Control
Before pulling the trigger on this service, it’s crucial to consider all the various factors that may affect whether quarterly pest control is necessary. Typically, you should pay attention to these four elements:
Climate
Living in the Carolinas means that you experience weather extremes, along with heat and humidity throughout the year. Unfortunately, this kind of climate is a hotbed for pests, particularly mosquitoes and ticks. So, while colder, drier states may not have to worry about pests during winter, Carolina homeowners do.
Location
Your neighborhood can affect your pest control needs more than you may realize. For example, if you live next to a forest or swampy area, bugs and other critters are more likely to venture into your backyard. By comparison, city living means that you have to worry more about cockroaches, bed bugs, and rats. Remember, just because your house is clean doesn’t mean that your neighbor is. Pests like to spread from one home to the next, even if you’ve treated your home before.
Age of Your Home
While older homes have charm and better curb appeal, they may also have more hiding spots for pests to nest. Attics, crawlspaces, and walls can serve as excellent shelters for various critters, particularly if they have access to food and water. Newer homes tend to be easier to manage because there are fewer access points to get inside. Also, it’s easier to keep a new house clean than an old one.
Previous Pest Control Issues
Have you had bed bugs, termites, or rats in the past? Chances are that they’ll return, particularly if you have neighbors close by. If you find yourself having to treat your house every few years, quarterly pest control can help you minimize your costs and the disruption to your life.
Overall, depending on these four factors, you may decide whether quarterly pest control is necessary or not.
How To Choose a Reputable Quarterly Pest Control Company
If you do need quarterly pest control, you have to make sure that you choose a high-quality business. Here are some ways to compare different companies to pick the best one:
Reviews & Recommendations
Pay attention to what customers are saying about the business online through sites like Yelp and Google. You can also ask the company for referrals. Doing this allows you to talk with current and previous clients to see how well the business operates.
Complete List of Services
There should be no question about what the pest control company is doing whenever it sends technicians to your house. If the business is being vague, it might be hiding something. You should also be able to get an itemized bill so that you can negotiate any unnecessary charges.
Flexibility
As we mentioned, most quarterly pest control services can work around your schedule. You don’t even have to be home. When choosing a company, make sure that it can accommodate your specific needs. The service should also be able to draft a customized plan after a site visit.
Is Each Quarterly Visit the Same?
Typically, the first visit is when the technician will identify potential pest control issues, such as entry points or signs of an infestation. The technician will then treat both the inside and outside of your home. After that initial visit, each subsequent treatment will be applied to the exterior of your home. That said, the company may change its tactics based on your particular needs and how they might shift throughout the year (i.e., summer vs. winter).
Can I Cancel Any Time?
The answer depends on the company. Some businesses might have you renew your service annually, while others might allow you to cancel whenever you like. As a rule, paying for a whole year upfront is cheaper than paying quarterly.
What If I Need Extra Pest Control Between Visits?
If you or the pest control technicians spot any issues during a visit, they can recommend extra service to eliminate the problem.
Contact Carolina Pest Management for Quarterly Pest Control
Whether you need quarterly service or just want a one-time inspection, Carolina Pest Control is ready to serve you. We’ll work with you to develop a customized plan of action to exterminate pests and prevent them from coming back.
Contact Carolina Pest online or give us a call at 704-350-2674 today!