In this guide-

+ Background on pest control
+ Important features of pest control services
+ How to find the best pest control service for you

If you're concerned about pests and are looking to find a way of controlling them in your home, you do have the option of trying to manage the pest control yourself. However, unless you want to take the time to train yourself about the various pests and their breeding cycles, feeding habits, environmental preferences, etc., and the most effective treatment for each and how to safely handle some of the products used, it probably makes sense to hire a professional pest control company.

This short guide was created to help you understand the basics of pest control and how to find the best pest control service for your needs. We do not sell any pest control services ourselves, so you can be assured that all of the information in this guide is independent and unbiased.

Background on pest control
Regardless of how clean or new your home is, your home is not immune to pest infestation. Pests such as termites, roaches, ants, beetles, spiders, earwigs, bees, ticks, rodents and other pests can be drawn to your home by the prospect of food, warmth and shelter. Some pests are merely annoying, but some can carry disease (rats), while others are poisonous (certain types of spiders), and termites can eat through your very home and cause thousands of dollars and more in damage.

With the exception of Alaska, every state in the US has termites. Termites infest about one million homes and cause over one billion dollars in damage annually. In addition, most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover repairs due to termite damage. The problem with termites is that you can't always see termites because they feed undetected. Termites attack the wood in your home from the inside out, and infestations can go undiscovered until the wood is almost completely destroyed.

Important features of pest control services
Pest control services are specially trained based on your geographic area, and will have a good understanding of the local pest threats and how to treat them. Most pest control services are designed around a three-tiered pest control strategy- outside the home, entryways, and inside the home.