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Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Boston?

The licensing and regulation of exterminators and pest control companies that operate in Boston is handled at the state level by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). This department offers five licensing and certification options to eligible parties, namely:

• Applicator License: This license is required by individuals who wish to provide services that involve the use of general-use pesticides and have never obtained an MDAR-issued pesticide license before or had licenses that have expired for five years or more
• Private Certification: This certification is required for individuals who intend to use restricted-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities on property that is either owned or rented by them or their employer
• Commercial Certification: This certification is required for individuals who wish to use restricted-use pesticides for hire. Note that exterminators who wish to obtain this certification must have held a valid MDAR-issued Applicator License for at least two years
• Dealer License: This license is required by individuals who wish to sell restricted-use pesticides
• Catch Basin Permit: This permit is required by municipal, state, or federal government employees who wish to treat catch basins or storm drains that contain mosquito larvae

Interested parties that wish to obtain MDAR-issued licenses or certifications will be required to take the following steps:

• Register for an examination online via the department's EEA ePlace Portal. Note that first-time registrants will be required to create a user account on this portal
• Pay all stipulated fees
• Sit for and pass a department-administered examination. Note that this examination is also conducted online
• Submit an appropriate license application and proof of insurance, where applicable, online via the EEA ePlace Portal

Applicants who successfully complete these steps typically receive their requested licenses from the MDAR via email. Inquiries concerning the MDAR's pesticide examination, licensing, and certification process can be directed to the department via email or by calling (508) 281-6787.

It should be noted that providing pest control services in Boston without appropriate licensing or certification is considered unlawful. Per the provisions of Section 14 of the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act, violators can face punishments of up to $25,000 in fines, imprisonment of up to two years, or a combination of both.

You can search for and confirm the licensing and certification status of exterminators in Boston online via the EEA ePlace Public Access Portal that the State of Massachusetts provides and maintains for this purpose.

Are You Registered with the Massachusetts Pest Control Association?

After confirming that your intended exterminator has been properly licensed or certified by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, you should also find out if they belong to the New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA).

The NEPMA is the premier pest control association in Boston, and membership with this association typically indicates competence and professionalism on the part of the exterminator. Some advantages that come with hiring members of the NEPMA for your pest control service include:

• Members of the NEPMA are held to high professional standards, which translate into optimal service delivery
• Members of the NEPMA typically undergo background checks, thereby providing you with a measure of confidence that a legitimate exterminator will handle your pest problems
• Members of the NEPMA have access to education, training, and technical resources on relevant pest control methods and technologies
• Members of the NEPMA typically have access to better insurance options

The NEPMA provides interested parties with access to an online directory that you can use to search for member exterminators that operate in Boston when looking to hire pest control services in the city. Note that while the NEPMA is the leading pest control association in Boston, some exterminators in the city may also belong to other associations like the National Pest Management Association.

To this end, it is in your best interest to confirm that your intended exterminator belongs to a reputable pest control association by requesting proof of this membership and authenticating it with the relevant association. You should also look up the association online to determine its reputation in the pest control industry.

How Much Do You Charge for Pest Control Services and Why?

Data published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests pest control workers in the Boston area earn an average wage of $24.59 hourly. Nevertheless, you should always find out exactly how much you will be charged for your required pest control services and make sure that you agree on a rate before your exterminator begins any pest control work in your home.

It is also advisable to get and compare rates from several exterminators in the city before selecting one best suited to your budget. Ensure that these exterminators inspect the infested areas before coming up with their rates, and look out for exterminators with rates that differ significantly from the others. Request an explanation for these price differences and cross out any exterminator who cannot provide a satisfactory explanation from your list of potential hires.

Note that the rates you will be given for your requested pest control services in Boston are typically affected by several factors, some of which include:

• The type of pests involved
• The severity of your pest infestation
• The size of the infested area
• The types of pest control methods and pest control materials to be used
• The labor intensity of the job
• The frequency of required pest control treatments
• Your location within the city
• The exterminator's level of experience and reputation

Pest control workers in Boston earn an average annual wage of $51,140. The list below compares the average hourly wages of this category of professionals in the city with those in other parts of the State of Massachusetts and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with Boston Regulations for Pesticide Application?

The use, application, and regulation of pesticides and pesticide-related activities in Boston are governed by Title 333 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (333 CMR) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Any exterminator you hire in the city must be familiar with the provisions of these laws, as this can go a long way in ensuring that your pest problems are resolved successfully and legally.

Some key requirements of these laws that must be adhered to during the provision of pest control services in Boston include:

• All pesticides that are to be used in the city must be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). This is regardless of whether or not they have been federally registered.
• Any individual who wishes to apply pesticides in the city must be licensed or certified by the MDAR before doing so
• Individuals who wish to sell or distribute restricted-use pesticides in the city must be licensed by the MDAR. These restricted-use pesticides must also be only sold or distributed to properly certified persons or competent individuals acting under the directed supervision of these certified persons
• Pesticides must be stored and disposed of per label requirements and all applicable rules provided by the MDAR
• Written notices must be provided at least two working days before pesticides are sprayed, released, deposited, or applied in schools, childcare centers, and school-age childcare programs. The pesticide applications must also be concluded no later than 72 hours after the approximate application date provided in the notices

You can contact the Pesticide Program of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) at (617) 626-1776 to get more information on the laws and regulations governing pesticide use and application in Boston. You can also get information on this subject by contacting the MDAR's Boston office at:

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

The type of pest control methods used by your preferred exterminator is another crucial factor that determines their suitability to deliver satisfactory pest control services. Professional exterminators in Boston typically combine several types of pest control methods and techniques to ensure the effective and safe treatment, management, and control of pest infestations in the city. These methods are:

• Biological control: biological pest control methods use living organisms like predators, pathogens, and parasites to limit or suppress pest growth in a target area. Examples of biological pest control are the use of lacewings to control aphid infestations and the use of cats to control rodent populations in target areas.
• Cultural control: cultural pest control methods entail making changes to a target area that makes this space uninhabitable or hostile to pests. Examples of these changes or modifications include improving sanitary conditions and erecting barriers preventing pests from entering the target space.
• Physical control: physical pest control methods use baits, alarms, electromagnetic and ultrasonic emitters, traps, and similar devices and equipment to detect, prevent, repel, and eliminate pests in a target area. Examples of devices and equipment used in this pest control method are Pest Soldier, Avantaway, MaxMoxie, and Authenzo SX-5006.
• Chemical control: chemical pest control methods involve using pesticides and chemicals that contain active components like fipronil, boric acid, and piperonyl butoxide to eliminate pest infestations. This type of pest control is often used as a last resort or in situations where the pest infestation has exceeded acceptable threshold levels. This is because pesticides are potentially toxic and can have hazardous effects if handled improperly.

Always ask your preferred exterminators what pest control methods they plan to utilize for your required pest control services. Be wary of exterminators claiming to have a one-size-fits-all pest control strategy. Professional exterminators typically evaluate infested areas and assess the nature and scope of your pest problem before coming up with an effective combination of pest control methods.

The New England Pest Management Association provides an online directory that you can use to find professional exterminators in Boston who expertly assess pest infestations and combine the discussed pest control methods for effective results. Organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the National Pest Management Association also provide online directories that you can use to search for experienced exterminators in Boston.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Professional exterminators in Boston generally offer three types of pest control services, namely pest prevention, pest removal, and pest extermination. Pest prevention entails taking actions to prevent pest infestations in a target area, while pest removal and extermination entail finding and eliminating pests in areas that have already been infested, as well as minimizing the effects of these infestations.

To this end, it is crucial that you find out the types of pest control services that your preferred exterminator offers and confirm that these services match your specific pest control and management needs before signing any contract with them. You should also go a step further by asking if the exterminator specializes in the types of household pests infesting your home.

Doing this ensures that you receive satisfactory pest control services the first time out and saves you the time and money of having to find another exterminator to re-do your pest control work effectively.

Provided below is a list of cost estimates for pest control services that residents of Boston commonly request. Note that the actual costs of these services will be dependent on factors like your location within the city, the severity of your pest problem, and your preferred exterminator's reputation:

Do You Carry the Necessary Right Insurance Policy for Exterminators in Boston?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 2,800 pest control workers reported work-related injuries in 2020, with four of these injuries resulting in deaths. If you hire an exterminator who is not adequately insured, you can be held liable if any of these injuries occur while they are working in your home.

Furthermore, you may also have to cover the costs of any property damages caused by this exterminator while on the job. As such, ensuring that your preferred exterminators are adequately insured cannot be overemphasized.

To this end, exterminators who wish to provide pest control services to residents of Boston are statutorily required to comply with the following financial responsibility requirements:

• Exterminators with the MDAR's Certified Commercial Applicator designation must carry liability insurance with a minimum coverage limit of $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury, and $100,000 per occurrence for property damage.
• Exterminators with the MDAR's Licensed Applicator designation must carry liability insurance with a minimum coverage limit of $50,000 per occurrence, $100,000 aggregate for bodily injury, and $50,000 per occurrence for property damage.

Finally, all exterminators in the city with employees are statutorily required to carry workers' compensation insurance for these individuals, regardless of the type of MDAR-issued license or certification they hold.

Always verify your preferred exterminators' insurance status by requesting copies of their insurance certificates and authenticating these certificates with the appropriate insurance provider. You should also confirm that the exterminators' premiums are paid and that their insurance limits are sufficient to cover the scope of your required pest control services.

You can contact the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) at (508) 281-6787 and (617) 626-1700 for more information on the financial responsibility requirements for Boston exterminators. Additional information concerning workers' compensation requirements can be obtained by contacting the Boston Regional Office of the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents at (617) 727-4900 and (800) 323-3249.

Choosing Between Local Pest Control Firms and Large National Chains: The Pros and Cons

While checking off criteria like license, certification, reputation, areas of specialization, trade association membership, and pest control methods utilized can help you streamline your search for a professional exterminator, you may still end up with several qualified hiring choices.

At this point, homeowners and property managers in Boston are usually divided between hiring a local exterminator and retaining the services of a more well-known national pest control business like Orkin, Terminix, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Hawx, Ehrlich, Bulwark, Truly Nolen, Arrow Exterminators, or Viking. When faced with this problem, weighing the pros and cons of hiring a local or national pest control firm in light of the following factors can assist you in making an informed choice:

Pros

Cons