Choosing a Pest Control Company

Choosing the right pest control company can be difficult and time consuming. One thing you do not want to do is spend a lot time trying to decide which company to choose. You also do not want to pick a bad company. Whether you have ants, bedbugs, fleas, ticks, mice, rats, spiders, or cockroaches you want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. There are a few simple things you can do to ensure that you have chosen a good company when trying to get rid of these common pests.

1. Understand the Industry - Basic pest control (ants, cockroaches, fleas, spiders, millipedes, etc,) does not require a lot of start up costs or overhead. This is good because it keeps competition strong which leads to a better service at a lower price. It is bad because and guy off the street can say he has a pest control company. There are also many companies in the industry that are actually sales companies disguised as exterminators. They focus on sales and profits more than the quality of service they provide. This is a very good business model but from a consumer standpoint you end up paying more for less with these types of companies. You pay for the increased cost of a sales force and you  receive services that may not be necessary.

2. Know what you want before you choose your exterminator. There are many options when choosing a pest control company. You can have your exterminator come monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or just one time. The more often you have your property treated by an exterminator the lower the price you will pay for pest control services. This is very good if you have pest problems that you see all the time. If you typically do not have pest problems or you only  have problems at certain times of the year you must ask yourself how often do I want my home treated? You must decide this on an individual basis because when you pay for a pest control service you are not only paying for the materials, the labor, and the overhead you are also paying for a bug free environment and peace of mind. You must decide what is necessary for you to be satisfied and what you are willing to pay.

3. Know the price of the pest control treatments. The price of pest control treatments can tell a lot about an exterminator. Typical an exterminator that charges low prices for pest control services sacrifices quality. At the same time in the pest control industry additional cost does not always translate into better quality. Try to find the right price.

4. Get to know your company. This may sound difficult but when you call for a quote pay attention to how you are treated and how they act. Someone from the exterminator you choose will come to your home and it is important that this person can be trusted. If the person you talk to over the phone is polite and answers your questions well there is a good chance the exterminator provides good services. If the company is slow to give you a quote over the phone,  they give you the run around, do not return calls, reschedule appointments, or act shady in anyway they probably are not a company you want to deal with.

5. Check them out on the internet. There are many places to look at on the web. Check out their website, look at reviews, check out the BBB website or even look for certifications that their company may have.

6. Ask a friend. This is the most reliable method. If a friend you know has had a good experience with an exterminator do not hesitate to go with them. Also if a friend had a bad experience with an exterminator do not go with them.


Overall the goal is to find the company that fits you. You should be able call local exterminators and get a quote fairly quickly. Most exterminators will be able to come out the same day if necessary. So do not spend too much time finding one though. If they cannot work with your schedule find the company that will.

We hope that you will be able to find a company that you can trust that will help you overcome your pest problems. Of course this article may be bias because at Downs Pest Control we try to work with our customers as partners in eliminating pests. We are in the business to help you live pest free. We pride ourselves in providing timely, efficient, affordable, and high quality services. We hope that we can help you live pest free!


Downs Pest Control is family owned and operated pest control company that serves Des Moines and surrounding areas. We are dedicated to helping residents and businesses in Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Perry, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights prevent and remove pest infestations. We are dedicated to safety and high quality customer service. Downs Pest Control