When bugs or rodents show up in your home, the temptation is to call the first pest control company you find and tell them to fix it. That’s understandable, but it’s also how you end up paying for treatments you didn’t need, exposing your family to chemicals you didn’t agree to, or signing a multi-year contract you can’t escape. The right questions to ask a pest control company before hiring take maybe 15 minutes, and they’ll save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of frustration.
These 15 questions cover everything from chemical safety and treatment methods to pet precautions, guarantees, and contract terms. Whether you’re dealing with ants, termites, rodents, bed bugs, or anything else that doesn’t pay rent, this checklist has you covered.
Before You Contact a Pest Control Company
A little groundwork before your first call makes everything smoother:
- Identify the pest (if possible). Take a photo if you can. Knowing whether you’re dealing with carpenter ants vs. pavement ants, or mice vs. rats, helps the company prepare and gives you a head start on evaluating their recommendations.
- Note where and when you see activity. Kitchen only? Basement? Around windows? At night? These patterns help the technician zero in on entry points and nesting areas faster.
- Document the extent of the problem. A single mouse sighting is different from droppings in every cabinet. One spider in the bathroom is different from dozens in the garage. Scale matters for treatment selection and pricing.
- Check your lease or HOA rules (if applicable). In many rentals, the landlord is responsible for pest control. Some HOAs have preferred vendors or restrictions on certain treatment types.
- Remove accessible food sources before the visit. Clean up crumbs, seal open food containers, and take out the trash. This isn’t the technician’s job, and it’ll make any treatment more effective. Installing door draft stoppers and sealing gaps under exterior doors is one of the fastest ways to block pest entry points on your own.
Licensing and Credentials
1. Are you licensed to apply pesticides in this state?
Every state requires pest control companies and their technicians to be licensed. This isn’t a casual suggestion. Pesticide application is regulated by law because these chemicals can harm people, pets, and the environment if misapplied. The licensing process requires training, testing, and continuing education.
Ask for the company’s business license number and the technician’s individual applicator license. Verify both through your state’s Department of Agriculture or pesticide regulatory agency. A company that can’t produce current licensing information isn’t one you want spraying chemicals in your home.
2. Do you carry liability insurance?
If a pest control treatment damages your property, harms your pets, or causes a health issue, you want the company’s insurance to cover it, not your homeowner’s policy. General liability insurance is the baseline. Many professional companies also carry a pollution liability rider that specifically covers claims related to pesticide application.
Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm the policy is current. This is standard in the industry, and any legitimate company will provide it without hesitation.
3. Are your technicians trained and certified for the specific pest I’m dealing with?
Not all pest problems require the same expertise. Termite treatment involves soil injection, baiting systems, and structural knowledge. Bed bug treatment may require heat equipment and specialized monitoring. Wildlife removal (raccoons, squirrels, bats) often requires separate licensing.
Ask whether the technician assigned to your job is specifically trained and experienced with your pest. Some companies have generalists who handle everything; others have specialists for different pest categories. For complex problems (termites, bed bugs, wildlife), a specialist is strongly preferable.
Treatment Methods and Chemicals
4. What treatment method do you recommend, and why?
A good pest control company doesn’t use the same approach for every problem. The treatment should match the pest, the severity of the infestation, the location, and your household circumstances (pets, children, sensitivities).
Common approaches include:
- Baiting systems: Pests consume bait and bring it back to the colony. Effective for ants, termites, and rodents. Lower chemical exposure for your household.
- Liquid application (spray): Applied along baseboards, entry points, and exterior perimeter. Standard for general pest control. Effective for a wide range of insects.
- Dust application: Applied in wall voids, attics, and crawl spaces. Effective in enclosed areas where spray doesn’t reach.
- Heat treatment: Raising room temperature to lethal levels. The gold standard for bed bugs. Chemical-free but expensive ($1,500 to $4,000 per treatment).
- Fumigation (tenting): Sealing the entire structure and filling it with gas. Used for severe termite infestations. You’ll need to vacate the home for two to three days.
Your technician should explain which method they’re recommending and why it’s the right choice for your situation.
5. What chemicals or products will you use, and are they safe for my household?
You have every right to know exactly what’s being applied inside and around your home. Ask for the product names, active ingredients, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The SDS provides detailed information about toxicity, exposure risks, and first aid measures.
Most modern residential pesticides are classified as low-toxicity when applied correctly. But “low-toxicity” and “harmless” aren’t the same thing. Ask specifically about risks to children (who play on floors and put things in their mouths), pregnant women, elderly family members, and anyone with chemical sensitivities or respiratory conditions. A responsible technician will address these concerns directly and adjust the treatment plan if needed.
6. Are the products you use safe for my pets?
Pets are more vulnerable to pesticide exposure than most people realize. Cats are particularly sensitive because they groom themselves constantly, ingesting any residue on their paws and fur. Dogs are at risk from baits they might eat and treated surfaces they lie on. Birds, reptiles, and fish are extremely sensitive to airborne chemicals and water contamination.
Tell the pest control company about every pet in your household, including fish tanks and outdoor pets. Ask specifically: What precautions should I take with my pets during and after treatment? How long should pets stay off treated surfaces? Are there pet-safe alternatives to the products you normally use? A company that takes pet safety seriously will have clear, detailed answers. One that shrugs it off isn’t worth the risk.
7. Do you offer non-chemical or low-chemical treatment options?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that prioritizes prevention and non-chemical methods first, using pesticides only when necessary and in the most targeted way possible. IPM includes sealing entry points, removing food and water sources, using traps and monitors, and applying chemicals only as a last resort or in targeted applications.
If minimizing chemical exposure is important to you (because of pets, children, health concerns, or personal preference), ask whether the company practices IPM and what non-chemical options are available. Some pests, like bed bugs, can be treated with heat alone. Others, like rodents, can be managed primarily with exclusion (sealing entry points) and trapping.
Treatment Plan and Expectations
8. What is the full treatment plan, and how many visits will it require?
A single treatment rarely solves a pest problem permanently. Most infestations require an initial treatment followed by one or two follow-up visits to address newly hatched eggs or pests that avoided the first application.
Ask the company to outline the complete treatment plan: what happens during the first visit, when follow-ups are scheduled, and what you should expect between visits. For termites, the treatment plan may involve quarterly monitoring for a year or more. For a general pest issue (ants, spiders, roaches), an initial treatment plus one follow-up two to four weeks later is typical.
9. How long before I see results, and what should I do in the meantime?
Expectations matter. Bait-based treatments take time because they rely on pests carrying the bait back to the colony. You may actually see more activity in the first few days as pests encounter and distribute the bait. Spray treatments can kill on contact, but they won’t eliminate pests hiding deep in walls or nesting in inaccessible areas.
A good technician sets realistic expectations: “You’ll see a significant reduction within one to two weeks, and the problem should be resolved after the follow-up treatment.” They should also give you specific instructions for the interim: don’t clean treated areas for a certain period, keep food sealed, report any continued activity to the company.
10. Will I need to leave the house during treatment, and for how long?
This depends entirely on the treatment method and products used. General spray treatments usually require you to vacate the treated rooms for two to four hours while the product dries. Fumigation (tenting) requires vacating the entire home for two to three days. Heat treatments for bed bugs may require you to leave for six to eight hours.
Ask for specific timing: When can you return? When can pets return? When can children play on treated floors? Are there ventilation steps you need to take before coming back? The company should provide written instructions, not just a verbal “give it a few hours.”
Guarantees and Contracts
11. What guarantee do you offer on the treatment?
Any reputable pest control company should guarantee their work. The specifics vary, but here’s what to look for:
For one-time treatments (ants, spiders, wasps): A 30 to 90-day guarantee that includes a free re-treatment if pests return within the guarantee period.
For termite treatments: A one-year warranty (minimum) that covers re-treatment if termites return, with annual renewal options. Some companies also offer a damage repair warranty ($250,000 to $1 million in coverage) for an additional annual fee.
For bed bug treatments: A 30 to 60-day guarantee with a free re-treatment if evidence of live bed bugs returns.
Get the guarantee terms in writing. What’s covered? What’s excluded? Is there a limit on the number of re-treatments? What constitutes “pest activity” under the guarantee?
12. Are you going to try to sign me up for a multi-year contract?
Some pest control companies push long-term service contracts (annual or multi-year) that include monthly or quarterly visits. These can be worthwhile if you have ongoing pest pressure (termites in a high-risk area, for example), but they can also be expensive commitments for problems that only need a one-time or short-term solution.
Before signing anything, ask: Can I start with a one-time treatment and add a service plan later if needed? What’s the cancellation policy if I sign a contract? Are there cancellation fees? How much do I save with a contract vs. paying per visit? For a straightforward ant problem, a one-time treatment with a guarantee is usually all you need. For termites in a termite-heavy region, an annual monitoring contract makes more sense.
13. What should I do to prevent the problem from coming back?
Treatment is only half the equation. Prevention is the other half, and it’s mostly on you. A knowledgeable technician will walk through your home after the treatment and point out conditions that attracted or allowed pests in the first place.
Common recommendations: seal gaps around pipes and utility lines, install door sweeps, fix leaky faucets (roaches and many insects need water), store firewood away from the house, trim vegetation touching the exterior walls, keep food in sealed containers, and clean up pet food bowls at night. If the technician finishes the treatment and leaves without offering prevention advice, they’re focused on repeat business, not solving your problem.
Pricing and Transparency
14. What does this treatment cost, and what exactly is included?
Pest control pricing should be transparent and specific. The estimate should state: the target pest, the treatment method, the products to be used, the areas being treated (interior, exterior, or both), the number of visits included, and the total cost.
Ask about additional charges: Is there an inspection fee? Does the quoted price cover follow-up visits, or are those billed separately? What if the first treatment doesn’t work? Knowing the complete cost prevents surprises on the invoice.
15. How does your pricing compare for one-time service vs. an ongoing plan?
Understanding the cost structure helps you make an informed decision:
One-time treatment (general pest): $150 to $400 depending on pest type, home size, and severity. Quarterly service plan: $100 to $300 per visit ($400 to $1,200 per year). Termite treatment (liquid or bait): $1,500 to $5,000+ depending on home size and method. Bed bug heat treatment: $1,500 to $4,000 per treatment. Rodent exclusion and trapping: $300 to $1,500 depending on the extent of the problem.
If a company pushes a $1,200/year quarterly plan for a minor ant problem that a $250 one-time treatment would solve, they’re overselling. Match the service level to the actual problem.
What to Mention or Send Beforehand
Share these details before the technician arrives:
- The pest (or your best guess) and where you’re seeing activity. Photos are extremely helpful. Include shots of droppings, damage, entry points, or the pests themselves.
- The duration and severity of the problem. “We’ve seen a few ants near the kitchen window for the past week” vs. “roaches in every room for the past three months” leads to very different treatment approaches.
- Your household situation. Children, pets (type and size), pregnant family members, anyone with chemical sensitivities or respiratory conditions. This information directly affects treatment selection.
- Your home’s construction and condition. Crawl space or slab foundation? Brick or wood siding? Old or new construction? Known moisture problems? These factors affect pest entry and treatment access.
- Previous pest control treatments. If you’ve had the home treated before, share what was done, when, and whether it worked. This prevents repeating ineffective approaches.
Typical Cost Range and Factors
Pest control costs vary by pest type, treatment method, home size, and severity. Here’s what to expect:
General pest control (ants, spiders, roaches):
- One-time treatment: $150 to $400
- Quarterly plan: $100 to $300 per visit ($400 to $1,200/year)
Termites:
- Inspection: $75 to $200 (sometimes free with treatment)
- Liquid treatment (Termidor, etc.): $1,500 to $3,500
- Bait system installation and monitoring: $1,200 to $3,500 first year, $300 to $500/year for monitoring
- Fumigation (tenting): $3,000 to $8,000+
Bed bugs:
- Chemical treatment: $300 to $1,500 per room
- Heat treatment (whole room): $1,500 to $4,000
- Full-house heat treatment: $3,000 to $6,000+
Rodents:
- Trapping and removal: $200 to $600
- Exclusion (sealing entry points): $300 to $1,500
- Full rodent management program: $500 to $1,500+
Wildlife removal (raccoons, squirrels, bats):
- Trapping and removal: $300 to $1,000+ per animal
- Exclusion and repair: $500 to $3,000+
Key cost drivers:
- Home size. Larger homes require more product, more time, and more monitoring stations.
- Severity. A mild ant issue costs less to treat than an established colony in the walls.
- Pest type. Termites and bed bugs cost significantly more than general insects due to specialized equipment and methods.
- Treatment method. Heat treatment and fumigation are more expensive than spray or bait applications.
- Location. Regional pest pressure affects pricing. Termite treatment costs more in the Southeast where termite activity is highest.
- Access difficulty. Crawl spaces, attics, and wall voids that are hard to reach add labor time.
Red Flags vs. Green Flags
| Red Flag | Green Flag |
|---|---|
| Can’t produce a license number or claims they don’t need one. Pesticide application without a license is illegal. | Provides license numbers for the company and individual technician, and encourages you to verify them. |
| Won’t tell you what chemicals they’re using. You have every right to know what’s being applied in your home. | Provides product names, active ingredients, and Safety Data Sheets before treatment begins. |
| Diagnoses the problem over the phone without inspecting your property. Every infestation is different. | Insists on an inspection before recommending a treatment plan. |
| Uses high-pressure sales tactics. “If you don’t treat today, your house could be destroyed by termites.” | Explains the situation honestly, gives you time to decide, and doesn’t manufacture urgency. |
| Pushes a long-term contract for a minor, one-time problem. | Recommends a treatment level that matches the actual severity. Offers contracts when ongoing monitoring is genuinely warranted. |
| No guarantee on the treatment. If it doesn’t work, you pay again. | Written guarantee with free re-treatment if pests return within the specified period. |
| Ignores questions about pets and children. | Asks about your household (kids, pets, sensitivities) before recommending products and provides specific safety instructions. |
Money-Saving Tips
- Start with an inspection, not a contract. Many companies offer free or low-cost inspections. Get the diagnosis before committing to a treatment plan. The inspection alone might reveal that your “termite damage” is actually old carpenter ant damage that’s no longer active.
- Try a one-time treatment before signing up for a quarterly plan. For common pests (ants, spiders, occasional roaches), a single treatment with a 90-day guarantee often solves the problem. If pests return consistently, then consider a service plan.
- Do your own exclusion work. Seal gaps around pipes with caulk, install door sweeps, caulk cracks around windows and foundation, and screen vents. These are basic DIY tasks that reduce pest entry and make professional treatments more effective.
- Keep your home clean and dry. Most pests need food, water, and shelter. Eliminating these attractants (fixing leaks, cleaning crumbs, sealing food containers, reducing clutter) reduces pest pressure without chemicals.
- Ask about seasonal discounts. Some companies offer reduced rates during their slower months (winter in most regions). If your issue isn’t urgent, timing the treatment can save 10% to 20%.
- Get multiple quotes. Pest control pricing varies significantly between companies. Three quotes give you a realistic range and expose any outliers.
Quick Reference Checklist
Bring this to your pest control consultation:
- Are you licensed to apply pesticides in this state?
- Do you carry liability insurance?
- Are your technicians certified for my specific pest?
- What treatment method do you recommend, and why?
- What chemicals will you use, and are they safe for my household?
- Are the products safe for my pets?
- Do you offer non-chemical or low-chemical options?
- What is the full treatment plan, and how many visits?
- How long before I see results?
- Will I need to leave the house, and for how long?
- What guarantee do you offer on the treatment?
- Are you pushing a long-term contract, and is it necessary?
- What should I do to prevent recurrence?
- What does this cost, and what’s included?
- How does one-time pricing compare to a service plan?
Glossary
- IPM (Integrated Pest Management): An approach to pest control that combines prevention, monitoring, and targeted treatment to manage pests with minimal chemical use. IPM prioritizes sealing entry points, removing attractants, and using traps before resorting to pesticides.
- Exclusion: The process of sealing gaps, cracks, and openings in a building’s exterior to prevent pest entry. Includes caulking foundation cracks, installing door sweeps, sealing utility line penetrations, and screening vents. Often the most cost-effective long-term pest control strategy.
- Bait station: A tamper-resistant container that holds pesticide bait. Pests enter the station, consume the bait, and carry it back to their colony, killing the population over time. Used for termites, ants, roaches, and rodents.
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS): A standardized document that provides detailed information about a chemical product, including its active ingredients, health hazards, first aid measures, storage requirements, and disposal instructions. Pest control companies are required to have SDS available for every product they use.
- Fumigation: A pest control method where the entire structure is sealed (usually with a tent) and filled with a gaseous pesticide that penetrates all areas, including wall voids and inaccessible spaces. Used primarily for severe drywood termite infestations. Requires vacating the home for two to three days.
Helpful Tools and Resources
These plug-in devices emit ultrasonic frequencies that deter mice and some insects. They won't replace professional treatment for an active infestation, but they're a low-cost, chemical-free supplement for ongoing prevention.
Classic snap traps are still the most effective option for catching mice. Reusable models save money and let you monitor for activity between professional visits.
A perimeter spray applied around your foundation, doorways, and windows creates a barrier that kills and repels common insects. A good maintenance tool between professional treatments.
The gap under your exterior doors is one of the easiest entry points for bugs and mice. A simple draft stopper or door sweep seals it up in minutes.
- EPA Pesticide Safety Information: Federal guidelines on safe pesticide use in and around homes, including tips for choosing a pest control company and reducing pesticide exposure.
- NPMA (National Pest Management Association): Consumer resources on identifying pests, understanding treatment options, and finding qualified pest control professionals.
- [Your State’s Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division]: Search for “[your state] pesticide applicator license verification” to find the database where you can check any pest control company’s licensing status.
- NPIC (National Pesticide Information Center): A free, university-based resource that answers questions about pesticide safety, health effects, and environmental impact. Call them at 1-800-858-7378 with product-specific questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pest control safe for kids and pets?
When applied correctly by a licensed professional using EPA-registered products, residential pest control treatments are considered safe. That said, “safe” means following the technician’s instructions precisely: keeping kids and pets off treated surfaces until they’re dry (usually two to four hours), ventilating treated rooms, and keeping children and pets away from bait stations. If you have specific concerns (infants who crawl, cats who groom obsessively, someone with chemical sensitivities), tell the technician before treatment so they can select the safest available products and methods.
How often should I have my home treated for pests?
For most homes without ongoing pest issues, an annual perimeter treatment is sufficient preventive maintenance. If you live in an area with heavy termite or ant pressure, quarterly treatments may be worthwhile. Homes with a history of specific problems (recurring roaches, seasonal mouse invasions) benefit from targeted seasonal treatments. Not everyone needs a monthly or quarterly service plan. Match the frequency to your actual pest pressure, not a sales pitch.
Should I clean before or after pest control treatment?
Before: do a general cleanup (put food away, empty trash, clear clutter from baseboards and corners) so the treatment can reach target areas effectively. After: avoid cleaning treated areas (baseboards, behind appliances, around entry points) for at least two weeks. You can clean countertops, tables, and food prep surfaces after they’re dry. Deep-mopping treated floors too soon removes the residual product that continues killing pests between the initial treatment and the follow-up visit.
Do I need pest control if I only see one bug?
Not necessarily. A single ant, spider, or roach doesn’t always indicate an infestation. Many bugs wander indoors accidentally. However, certain pests warrant immediate attention even in small numbers: termites (one means thousands are nearby), bed bugs (one means more are hiding), and carpenter ants (even a few may indicate a satellite colony in your walls). Use your photos and descriptions to consult with a pest control company. They can often tell you over the phone whether an inspection is warranted.
Can I do pest control myself, or should I always hire a professional?
For minor problems, DIY solutions work well. Ant baits from the hardware store, mouse snap traps, and sealing entry points can handle small-scale issues effectively. For anything beyond that, especially termites, bed bugs, extensive rodent problems, or any pest requiring structural treatment, hire a professional. They have access to commercial-grade products, specialized equipment, and the training to apply them safely and effectively. The cost of professional treatment is almost always less than the cost of the damage from an untreated or poorly treated infestation.
Next Steps
Start by getting inspections and estimates from at least three licensed pest control companies. Use this checklist to evaluate their recommendations, chemical transparency, and guarantee terms. The company that takes the time to inspect your property, explain their approach, and provide specific safety instructions for your household is the one that deserves your business.
For more guidance on hiring home service professionals, check out our Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber and our Complete Guide to Hiring Home Service Professionals.