With an ever-expanding population, historic buildings, and upcoming growth, commercial hubs in Washington, DC, are prone to pest problems. Restaurants, cafes, and eateries in Chinatown and Adams Morgan have rodents and roaches due to nearby alleys, while offices in Capitol Hill and Downtown DC often deal with ants and scattered bed bug issues.
Homeowners can consider DIY remedies as the first step, but that isn’t true for commercial businesses. From ensuring compliance to maintaining safe premises for customers and staff, businesses have a lot at stake. Regardless of what type of premises you have, you have to choose a renowned service provider, such as Presto Pest Control. Presto Pest Control has been the leading commercial exterminator for years and offers both preventive plans and regular services.
If you are wondering how to choose commercial pest control, we have enlisted nine hacks for your help.
- Start with Local Experience in Washington: Pest problems and challenges vary across areas in Washington. Issues common in Navy Yard or Dupont Circle won’t be the same as on Capitol Hill. You need a company that knows local neighborhoods and is familiar with health regulations and inspection requirements.
- Ask for the Basic Details: License is the first thing you should ask for, which will ensure that the exterminator follows local standards. If the company has additional certifications, that is always a great sign. Check whether the technicians go through regular training.
- Know about Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Many business owners don’t want to call for help because they fear pest control means the use of harsh chemicals and strong pesticides. However, top exterminators now follow IPM standards that recommend safe products with steps like exclusion, sealing and monitoring. Ask the company you have found about their approach towards IPM.
- Look for Specific Experience: Pest control for restaurants in Georgetown will be different from what hotels near the National Mall require. Experience in the specific industry is also helpful and can help you shortlist between many names. The exterminator should understand the challenges your business is facing.
- Responsiveness Counts: If you suddenly spot ants in your restaurant kitchen, you cannot afford to wait. You have to call the pest control team and must get support immediately. Make sure you select a company that offers same-day services. If you are signing a contract, check if they will offer a response time guarantee.
- Check Reviews: Business owners often leave ratings and reviews on various sites, including the Better Business Bureau. If an exterminator has great feedback from commercial clients, that is always a green flag. You can also ask for references once you move ahead to the next step.
- Compare Services Instead of Prices: Commercial pest control is more expensive than residential services. As such, if a company charges too low compared to others, they are probably compromising on certain things. Make sure that you check what services and plans they offer, and if a better exterminator charges a little more, that extra is worth considering.
- Ask About Compliance: Your business could have inspections from time to time from health authorities. When that happens, you will need evidence from your exterminator showing that regular pest control has been done on time. Check with the company whether they align with OSHA standards and food safety protocols.
- Prioritize Partnerships: Remember, one-time pest control services aren’t enough for commercial businesses. You will need a team that can offer timely assistance and regular support. Preventive plans, in particular, are useful for lasting protection.
Hiring a commercial pest control service in Washington is all about checking the basic details and ensuring you have a team that stands with you during inspections and comprehensive support.