10 best pest control companies in Valrico, Florida

Common pests such as moths, snakes and termites can regularly infest homes in Valrico. You can take action yourself to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you currently have an infestation. These licensed pest specialists in Valrico can diagnose the problem and treat it safely and effectively.

Pests that invade your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause irreversible damage to the structure of your home and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can substantially lower the damage from an infestation. A pest professional will spot infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from sealing cracks and holes to using traps or pesticides. With the right solution in place, your pest problem can be resolved for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Valrico

Look for pest control companies in Valrico with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

What are common pests in Valrico?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same areas. Here are some signs of common pests in the Valrico area.

• Ticks: Ticks can easily enter homes by hitching a ride on pets, shoes or clothing, after they're picked up by you or your family while outdoors. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs on curtains, in carpet fibers or in upholstery. Other common nesting spots include in corners, along baseboards and in the lining or pockets of clothing.
• Rats: You may have a rat infestation if you see a rat, find droppings about half an inch long or hear skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create entryways for themselves by gnawing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are flat, wingless, reddish-brown insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in apartment complexes and hotels, they can cling to belongings, such as backpacks, used furniture, purses and clothing. They hide in your bed and in cracks and crevices during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may spot the insects or find bloody marks on your bed or other furniture.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths are common household pests. Clothes moths feed on wool and cotton, leaving behind silky furrows, tunnels, trenches and small tubes, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths burrow holes in plastic food packaging and leave webs in pantry corners. Moths are attracted to fermented sugar, light and ripe fruit.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting among overgrown grass, wood, rock piles and debris. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to contact a pest control company.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be most active during nighttime and will run away when a light turns on. However, you may see them during the day if there is a serious infestation. They often nest in basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Signs of cockroaches include droppings that look like brown or black specks, brown stains on walls and floors and egg casings. Cockroaches can also transmit disease and worsen respiratory issues.
• Termites: Termites feed on the cellulose fibers found in wood. They may be present in your home if you notice mud tubes, cracked or bubbling paint, droppings, termite swarms or wood that emits a hollow sound when you tap on it.

How can you prevent pests in your Valrico home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation probably requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to mitigate the risk of pests.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly impact your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control service to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal access points or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests mainly seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure food storage areas, sinks and counters stay clean and disinfected between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Pests can take refuge in leaves, standing water, trash and tall grass in your yard. One of the easiest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with mowed grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, find out if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off ways will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as little as half an inch wide. Be sure to address holes in your roof or siding and repair damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on keeping pests out and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to ensure you hire a pest control provider that can handle your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification compliant with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

Florida requires pest control technicians to be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Private, Public or Commercial Applicator Licenses are all available through this office.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest control expert will make a treatment schedule based on the severity of the infestation, type of pest, type of treatment and location of your property. Pest control companies typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are often at various stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hard-to-find areas.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer months and others continuing throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments every two or three months to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest problem to go away depends on the type and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might notice a decrease in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring further treatments. Conversely, you could see a spike in activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should lessen within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home along with your family and pets while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes a few hours.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to release the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to find other accommodations.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is all right for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as food, plants and animals must be taken out of the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest control providers offer green solutions for addressing an infestation. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, trapping rodents or using pesticides made from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a one-time treatment or continuous services to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options they offer.

Our methodology for selecting pest control companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score. We review national pest control companies against our full pest control methodology. We score pest control companies based on service options, safety and certifications, service guarantees and customer service.