10 best pest control companies in Wichita, Kansas

Pests most often encountered in Wichita are ticks, spiders and mice. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest issue, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in Wichita can safely diagnose, address and solve your pest problems.

A pest infestation can lead to damage to your property and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control experts can significantly reduce the damage from an infestation. They'll determine where pests have nested, and tailor a treatment plan that could include blocking entry points, using traps or applying pesticides. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be controlled for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Wichita

Look for pest control companies in Wichita 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 Wichita?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. The following pests are common in Wichita, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Spiders: A increasing number of spiderwebs in your home is the strongest indication of a spider infestation. Plenty of insects in the area for spider food and the presence of egg sacs are some more signs you may have a spider problem. Most spiders you may find in your home aren't dangerous, with the exception of the black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that need medical attention.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around high shelves, trash and sink drains. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, wingless insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in multi-unit apartments and hotels, they can hitch a ride on belongings, such as clothing, used furniture, purses and backpacks. They hide in your bed and in nooks and crannies during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may see the bugs themselves or find bloody marks on your bed or other furniture.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear a buzzing or humming sound inside your walls, notice a surge in bee activity either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. A strange scent radiating from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets because their stings can provoke allergic reactions.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one running out of the corner of your eye or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to gnaw on furniture and emit a musky smell. They make their nests from found materials and shredded fiber. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them in your walls or ceilings.
• Wasps: The biggest sign of a wasp infestation is simply seeing more wasps around than usual. Many types of wasp nest above ground, but ground wasps generally nest in dirt underground. You may not notice a ground nest until you step on it. Wasps are known to swarm, and show significantly more aggression than bees. It's crucial to enlist professional help rather than attempting to remove a nest on your own.
• Ticks: Though ticks typically stay close to the ground outside, they can get into your home via shoes, clothing or pets. Inside, female ticks can lay eggs in upholstery, in carpet fibers or on curtains. Nests may also be hidden in the lining or pockets of clothing, along baseboards and in corners.

How can you prevent pests in your Wichita home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to keep them at bay.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues in your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest control professional about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off cracks and holes, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are commonly looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from invading your home. Food should be a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a short distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep sinks, food storage areas and counters clean and sanitized when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash consistently. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects, snakes, and small animals can hide 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 debris-free and properly maintained with a neatly trimmed lawn and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, find out if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entry points will help keep insects and small animals from invading your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as small as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for cracks, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in keeping pests out of your home.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control service, ask the following questions to verify they have the knowledge to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

Pest control applicators in Kansas are required to pass both general and category-specific exams in order to earn either a Commercial Certified or Private Applicator's License issued by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the particular pest type, the severity of the infestation, the location of the property and the specific treatment method. In most cases, pest control providers advise against relying on a one-time treatment to eliminate household pests, as there will likely be insects at various stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-find locations.

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be only done in the warmer months, while others happen across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from getting a foothold.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to get rid of your pest issue will vary based on the nature and extent of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting extra treatments. Alternatively, you may see more activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to vacate the premises.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company erects a tent over your entire home for three days to release the pesticide. You'll have to seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional can gauge the right amount of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be taken out of the area, including food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer green solutions for managing infestations. This means they use products with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a one-time solution, while others offer continuous service to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the available options with your service professional.

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.