Get Quotes from Top Pest Control Companies in Columbus, OH

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Columbus?

It is essential to ensure the exterminator you select to get rid of pests in your home is duly licensed to practice in Columbus. A commercial pesticide applicator license is required for any person who owns or operates a pesticide business or who applies either general or restricted use pesticides to the property of another without direct supervision; applies restricted use pesticides to the property of an employer; or applies either general or restricted use pesticides to federal, state, or local public property, either directly or through agents. The license must be renewed every year for $35.00. Applicants must also complete commercial license applications, pay fees, and pass the core and related category tests to qualify.

Similarly, any place utilized to apply pesticides to another's property for hire must have a valid Pesticide Business & Business Location License. This license is valid for one year, after which the applicant must renew it for $35.00, an additional $35.00 for each site. Completed business license applications and annual payments must be submitted to qualify, as well as proof of general liability insurance for pesticide use.

To search for currently licensed pesticide applicators in Columbus, use the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Applicators Search. According to Section 921.16 (B) of the Ohio Revised Codes, first-time violators can expect to pay up to $5,000 in fines, with each subsequent violation carrying a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

Any person who applies or oversees the use of restricted-use pesticides must be certified as a private or commercial applicator by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on Federal Certification Standards for Pesticide Applicators. Commercial applicators must have a practical understanding of core pesticide use and safety and at least one specific application category. For further information about Federal Certification Standards, please contact the EPA through email or fill out an online form.

For more information on licenses necessary for pest control services in Columbus, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at (614) 728-6987 or visit their office at:

Pesticide & Fertilizer Section
8995 East Main Street
Building 23
Reynoldsburg OH 43068

Are You Registered with the Ohio State Pest Control Association?

Check that your prospective Columbus pest control specialist is a member of the Ohio Pest Management Association (OPMA) and has a valid state-issued pest control license or is state-certified. For those in the pest management community in Ohio, OPMA provides education, industry leadership, public policy initiatives, and market development resources. They provide essential information, important news, expert assistance, unique advantages, and innovative ideas from the pest management sector to its members who work to safeguard public health, food, and property from the diseases and dangers of pests.

It is also a bonus if the exterminator you hire belongs to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Due to the collaborative efforts of the OPMA and the NPMA, members of the former can benefit from the membership perks and privileges of both organizations, which helps them get the help and information they need more efficiently and at a reduced cost.

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

It is critical that you find out how much money you will need to pay before the process begins to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings that may emerge once the work has begun. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, pest control employees in the Columbus area earn an average hourly income of $21.40.

However, some factors, such as the type of pests involved, the size of the area where the work needs to be done, the level of infestation, and the number of visits required, may impact how much these professionals charge for their services.

Consult at least three different exterminators in the city and obtain pricing quotes from these pros to guarantee that you get a reasonable fee for your pest control project. Compare these figures and pick the one that best matches your budget. It's crucial to remember that you shouldn't choose the exterminator with the lowest quote based on pricing alone, as some unscrupulous individuals purposely provide low costs to scam unsuspecting homes.

Pest control workers in Columbus earn an average annual wage of $44,520. 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 Ohio and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with Columbus Regulations for Pesticide Applications?

The laws guiding the use and application of pesticides in Columbus are stipulated in the Ohio 2020 Pesticide Laws and Rules, which are extracted from the Ohio Revised Codes Chapter 921. It is critical to ensure that your chosen exterminator is familiar with these regulations to ensure that your pest control work is done correctly and to avoid the penalties commonly linked with these laws' infractions. Some of the stipulations in these regulations include:

• Anyone who applies a pesticide carelessly or in a way that contradicts the pesticide's label instructions is breaking the law. If you break this law, you could be charged with a criminal misdemeanor and face fines or jail time.
• Before applying a pesticide to your lawn or garden, read and understand the label to avoid accidentally applying harmful chemicals that could hurt you or the environment.
• Pesticides with the designation "restricted-use" can only be applied by a licensed professional.
• A pest control company or exterminator must have a pesticide business license and at least one commercial applicator.

To make inquiries about city regulations for pesticide application in Columbus, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at:

8995 East Main Street
Building 23
Reynoldsburg OH 43068
Phone: (614) 728-6987, (614) 728-6201

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Ensure you understand what type of pest control strategy any pest control service in Columbus will use and that it is appropriate to remove the pest infestation from your property before employing them. The most common pest management methods used by exterminators in the city are as follows:

• Organic Pest Control: Those who want to reduce the damage caused by tiny animals and insects while protecting their children, neighbors, pets, plants, and the environment choose an organic or natural pest control approach. When it comes to preventing the damage caused by insects and tiny animals, the organic option is usually your best bet. In this case, you could utilize bait and traps. While it is the most cost-effective method of keeping pests at bay in difficult terrains, it does not ensure pest eradication. Organic pest management includes using oil sprays, parasitic nematodes, floating row covers, insecticidal soap, and other products. Professionals in Columbus utilize organic or natural pest control solutions such as:
  • Wondercide All-Purpose Organic Home & Garden Insect Control
  • Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control Spray
  • EcoRaider Ant & Crawling Insect Killer
  • EcoSmart Ant & Roach Killer
  • Verdana Cold-Pressed Organic Neem Oil
  • Essentria IC3
• Biological Pest Control: Biological pest control is the use of live organisms to reduce vermin populations. Natural enemies of the pest, such as predators, parasites, and pathogens, are introduced to manage pests biologically by interfering with their capacity to procreate and infecting them with a lethal bacterial disease. Compared to the potential pesticide threats, this method is safer for your plants, your family, and natural animals. However, this procedure's success is contingent on the effective usage of appropriate species in the right conditions. The fact that biological pest control is chemical-free and incredibly useful makes it so popular. It can safely control insect populations. An example of biological pest control is the introduction of an egg parasitoid from Europe for biological control of the southern green stink bug.
• Chemical Pest Control: Some organic pest control solutions are ineffective, so some people choose chemical pest management. Chemicals are available in thousands of varieties for usage in both household and business settings. These can be solid, liquid, or aerosol in nature. However, consider that some pesticides are dangerous and can pollute land, air, food, and water. Chemical pesticides are utilized in today's homes, offices, stores, farms, and other locations. They can sometimes be too dangerous for the individuals who use them and other living beings in the area. Insecticides, for example, are used to kill insects, bactericides are used to kill bacteria, and herbicides are used to harm plants. It's best not to spray pesticides on your own, but if you do, read the label and prevent contaminating exposed food, drinks, utensils, and other usable items. If you're having trouble handling pesticides on your own, get pest control professionals to assist you. Professionals use the following products for chemical pest control in the home:
  • Bifen IT Concentrate
  • Suspend SC Concentrate
  • Termidor SC Concentrate
  • CimeXa Insecticide Dust
  • BioAdvanced 3-in-1 Insect Disease & Mite Control
  • Bonide (BND952) Insect Control Systemic Granules
  • Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide
  • Trifecta Crop Control Super Concentrate All-in-One
  • Bonide (BND253) - Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew
• Electric Pest Control: Thanks to technological breakthroughs in recent years, getting rid of pests in the home is now possible. Electronic pest management employs an electromagnetic approach that affects the brain systems of various species, including mice, but solely repels insects and rodents. In comparison, the ultrasonic method uses high-frequency, short-length sound waves. Electronic pest control devices from Avantaway, Rostermark, Pest Soldier, WahooArt, Diaotec, Loraffe, Aigoo, Abilly, Zovenhci, MaxMoxie, Cleanrth CR008, Neatmaster, and Victor M756K are used by pest control professionals.

The best route to ensuring that the most efficient pest control method is applied to your specific circumstance is to hire a professionally skilled exterminator. The Better Business Bureau's web directory can help you identify licensed exterminators in Columbus. An exterminator may prescribe a mix of two or more of these approaches, depending on your pest problem.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Pest extermination, pest removal, and pest prevention are the three basic pest management solutions. As their names suggest, pest extermination and removal entail eradicating existing pest infestations, with the former employing a lethal method and the latter concentrating on getting pests out of afflicted regions. Pest prevention, on the other hand, entails adopting preventative measures to keep pests out of your home in the first place.

Additionally, while many exterminators in the Columbus area are trained to deal with various pests, some may specialize in one or two kinds. You should, therefore, always confirm the types of household pests that an exterminator specializes in eradicating and the types of pest control services they give before closing any employment agreements with them. Also note that, depending on the nature of the pest infestation, you may require multiple treatments and exterminator visits. The following are cost estimates for pest control services per one-time visit of exterminators in Columbus, based on the type of pests involved:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Exterminators in Columbus?

Hiring an exterminator with adequate general liability and, where applicable, workers' compensation insurance protects you financially and legally if your pest control treatment causes property damage or personal injury. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, pest control specialists were involved in four fatal and 2,820 nonfatal on-the-job incidents in one year. Hiring properly insured exterminators also gives you much-needed peace of mind and takes one more worry off your plate.

Businesses that simply sell pesticides or execute seed treatments are exempt from having to show proof of financial responsibility. All other pesticide enterprises that are not exempted must show proof of insurance.

Pesticide businesses must have commercial general liability insurance coverage and a separate professional liability insurance policy under the care, custody, and control of the pesticide application business. They must provide coverage for each registered location associated with their company, as well as coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and products arising from pesticide application at the application site and coverage for third-party claims. The policy must have the minimum insurance limits of $300,000 in total policy coverage, $300,000 per occurrence limit, and $300,000 in total products and completed operations.

Note that aerial pesticide applicators and enterprises that deal with wood-destroying insects have special insurance requirements. To make inquiries concerning insurance policies for pest control businesses in Columbus, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at:

8995 East Main Street
Building 23
Reynoldsburg OH 43068
Phone: (614) 728-6987

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

Having succeeded in getting pest control companies that match what you are looking for in terms of reputation, licenses, certifications, specialties, methodologies, and coverage does not mean that deciding on an exterminator may not still be a tough decision. Most consumers are torn between hiring a local exterminator or a large company like Orkin, Terminix, Arrow Exterminators, Hawx, Ehrlich, Bulwark, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Truly Nolen, and Viking to control pests in their home or office at this stage. However, assessing the benefits and drawbacks of adopting a local or national brand in light of the following aspects will help you make an informed decision:

Pros

Cons