FAQs for Pest Control in Los Angeles, CA
What are the most common pest problems in Los Angeles?
Termites: Los Angeles suffers from two different species of termites: the subterranean termite, and drywood termites. Termites are responsible for billions of dollars in damages each year, and catching a termite infestation quickly is critical. Subterranean termites connect their nest to the soil for moisture, however, the drywood termite can migrate from building to building without connecting to the ground. Common Indicators of termites will be molted skin, feces, and rotted wood.
Bed Bugs: Bed bugs have been growing nationwide. Oftentimes bed bugs enter the country through ports of foreign travel with Los Angeles ranking 6th nationwide in bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are hitchhikers that travel on furniture, luggage, and clothing. Once bed bugs have become established, they are one of the most difficult and expensive pests to eliminate. Seeking professional help for bed bug infestations is highly recommended.
Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are maybe the most universally despised pests nationwide, and Los Angeles can get more than its fair share. With its warm weather, Los Angeles is perpetually liable to have bad mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will also especially thrive where there is standing water on a property. Mosquitoes will be most active in the summer months. There are treatments available to manage mosquitoes that will drastically reduce the activity of mosquitoes on your property.
Bees: There are many species of bees in Los Angeles that are helpful to the environment and are necessary pollinators, such as bumblebees, honey bees, and mason bees. Bees for the most part are non-aggressive, and there are removal services available for nests on the property. However, the European paper wasps and yellow jackets can be very aggressive and do not serve much of a purpose for pollination.
Spiders: Most of the common spiders in Los Angeles are not able to cause any kind of medically significant harm to humans, although some of them can look rather menacing. Other people might experience psychological effects such as anxiety due to the presence of spiders. Though most Los Angeles spiders are rather harmless, the black widow can cause harm and is fairly common. Professional treatments are available to maintain spiders away from a property.
What is the average cost of pest control in Los Angeles?
The average cost of pest control service in Los Angeles is roughly $240. This is higher than the national average, but Los Angeles residents are probably used to this. The cost of service will depend on the size of the property, the pest that needs managing, and other factors. The cost of general pest control will be in the $124 -$360 range. However, a more complex issue like bed bugs and termites may cost several thousand dollars.
How to choose a pest exterminator in Los Angeles?
- Confirm the kind of pest coverage each company offers: If a company doesn’t cover the type of pest you are dealing with, they won’t do you much good. Some companies don’t handle bed bugs, or termites, etc. A company should be able to identify and treat the pests on your property.
- Look at reviews: Focus on reviews about the actual service. While customer service is important, the primary reason you’re hiring a company is so that they can treat your pests. Reviews aren’t the end-all-be-all of a company but can give you an indicator of what you might be getting into.
- Compare Costs/ Packages: Some companies offer a comprehensive package for most pests, while others will have you choose specific pests that will be covered. Compare what you’re getting with each service and how much it costs. Generally, a comprehensive general pest control package is best, with things like bed bugs and fleas costing extra.
- What guarantees do they offer: A pest control company should stand by its work. Seasonal pest programs should include a guarantee that between regular visits the company will re-service for free if there are any issues. Warranties for bed bugs, fleas, and other complex pests should be 6 months to a year.
Which companies in Los Angeles have eco-friendly solutions?
Terminix: Terminix starts by trying to prevent pests, and reduce pest conducive conditions instead of simply eliminating them with sprays. Using targeted baiting and trapping, and other low impact methods to reduce pests. Afterward, using only natural substances to treat a property, though they don’t go into the specifics of which products they use, Terminix is sure to be using EPA approved pest management products.
Ecola Termite and Pest Control Services: Ecola offers alternative pest control methods (such as heat, and foam) and products to have a minimal impact on the environment, kids, and pets. You can compare and contrast different service methods with Ecola, and find what is right for you.
Orkin: Orkin offers Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which also uses practices prevention, and eliminating pest conducive areas. All the products that Orkin uses are approved for use by the EPA. In addition to their pest control practices, Orkin consolidates their service routes in order to more efficiently move between customers’ homes in order to reduce their carbon emissions footprint.
Hearts Pest Management: Hearts Pest Management is an EPA award-winning pest control company for its efforts in environmentally friendly pest control services. They offer their Organic “Green Thumb” program, as well as their “Nature Balance” services. Their motto is to “Do No Harm”. Their goal is to help people enjoy pest-free homes, while also enjoying the nature surrounding them in beautiful Southern California.
Dewey Pest Control: Dewey Pest Control is committed to Integrated Pest Management. All services start with a thorough inspection, followed first by exclusion methods, and then green pest control products. Dewey is committed to striking the balance between pest control, public health, and environmental health.
Bugs Be Gone: Bugs Be Gone uses Integrated Pest Management practices. By initially eliminating sources of food and shelter, pests can be managed without the use of chemicals. Only after exclusion methods have been employed are sprays and treatments applied.
Prime Termite and Pest Control Los Angeles: Prime Termite and Pest Control offer green termite control options such as BoraCare as alternatives to traditional fumigation methods, which are highly effective – but also very toxic. Prime Termite and Pest Control offer multiple options to meet customer preferences.
Aptive Environmental: Aptive Environmental focuses their eco-friendly pest control efforts on choosing the highest quality products, with the lowest impact on the environment possible. Not all products will focus on chemically killing pests, but some will repel with tastes, and smells only detectable to insects. Aptive chooses products that are naturally derived, usually from the chrysanthemum, which has been used as a natural pesticide for centuries.
Truly Nolen Pest and Termite Control: Truly Nolen is committed to IPM (integrated pest management) which focuses on minimizing impact, using preventative methods, and reducing areas where pests thrive. Truly Nolen also uses naturally occurring products wherever possible, however, they don’t go into too much detail.
