Get Quotes from Top Pest Control Companies in Dallas, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Dallas?

Pest control experts who spray pesticides in and around structures in Dallas are licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control Service. The Structural Pest Control Act requires businesses and individuals who do structural pest control for hire to be licensed.

Private and commercial/noncommercial applicators licenses are available to exterminators depending on how they ply their trade. Persons who undertake pest treatment in places other than restaurants, retail food, or food-service establishments, such as apartment complexes, day-care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, motels, lodges, warehouses, schools, and food-processing establishments, must be licensed. Employees of state government bodies who use pesticides in the course of their work must also be licensed.

Pest control companies in Dallas might choose from several licensing categories, including termite control, grass and ornamental, structural fumigation, commodity fumigation, weed management, pest control and wood preservation. Pest control involves examining and/or controlling pests in and around homes, businesses, and other structures.

To be eligible for license renewal as a Private Applicator, the pest control practitioner must complete 15 CEUs - Continuing Education Units. Up to 10 of these credits can be earned through an online course. The remaining five hours of training must be performed in a live setting. Private Applicators must also earn at least two credits in laws and regulations and at least two credits in integrated pest control as part of their minimum 15 CEUs of training.

According to Texas law, the commercial or noncommercial applicator must earn at least five CEUs before renewing their license. They must each obtain one credit in at least two of these three categories: drift minimization, rules and regulations, and integrated pest management.

It is considered a maximum hazard potential to operate as an exterminator in Dallas without a license. Such offenses can see first-time offenders facing fines of up to $2000. Second-time and third-time offenders might pay up to $3,000 and $5,000 in fines, respectively. Use the Texas Department of Agriculture's eApply portal to apply for a Structural Pest Control License in Dallas. You can contact the Department for more information on obtaining a pest control license in Dallas at :

According to the Structural Pest Control Act, everyone in the structural pest control business in Dallas must obtain a business license from SPCS for each business location, including branch offices. Each business license holder shall appoint a responsible certified commercial applicator not employed by any other business licensee or business license site. Without first getting a business license and having an applicator certification in each license category in which business is conducted, a business or person cannot advertise to provide services or solicit business.

Anyone who applies or oversees the use of restricted-use pesticides must also be certified as a private or commercial applicator by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on Federal Certification Standards. Before becoming certified, private applicators must demonstrate a practical awareness of agricultural pest problems and treatment tactics and proper pesticide storage, usage, handling, and disposal.

Similarly, commercial applicators must demonstrate that they understand basic pesticide use and safety and at least one specialty application category. For further information about Federal Certification Standards, please contact the EPA through email or fill out this online form.

Are You Registered with the Texas State Pest Control Association?

Aside from ensuring that your prospective Dallas exterminator has a valid state-issued pest control license or has been state-certified, it is essential also to check that they have membership in the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA).

Exterminators who join this association benefit from various networking opportunities, low-cost workshops and training throughout the state, valuable industry updates and trends, and state and national representation in public policy and legislation. All of these mean better service for homeowners who hire them and an additional avenue for mediation if dissatisfied with the exterminator's job.

Members of this group are also automatically members of the National Pest Management Association, a national organization that gives them access to a wider range of educational and business resources, not to mention business opportunities. Any Dallas exterminator claiming to be a member of one of these organizations should always produce proof of membership.

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

Knowing exactly how much you will need to pay for your preferred pest control treatment before any work begins can help you avoid any future misunderstandings. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, pest control employees in the Dallas area earn an average hourly income of $19.76. The type of pests involved, the size of the area where the work must be done, the level of infestation, and the number of visits required all impact the amount of money these professionals charge for their services.

It is advisable to reach out to at least three distinct exterminators in the city, give identical work requirements, and obtain cost quotes from these experts to verify that you are getting a reasonable fee for your pest control service. Making comparisons with these cost estimates can help you pick the one that best matches your budget.

It is, however, crucial to remember that you should not choose the exterminator with the lowest quote based on pricing alone, as some fraudsters purposely provide low costs to scam unsuspecting homeowners.

Pest control workers in Dallas earn an average annual wage of $41,090. 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 Texas and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with Dallas Regulations for Pesticide Application?

Always verify that your preferred pest control professional adheres to the city's pesticide regulations. The Texas Department of Agriculture has the jurisdiction to seek administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions against anybody who misuses pesticides in Dallas.

This authority also extends to pesticides intended for broad use or that the general public can purchase. Applicators are charged with being good stewards and adhering strictly to all applicable legislation. If pesticides are used illegally or inappropriately, they may be removed from the list of equipment available for agricultural production. Pesticide application regulations are as follows:

• Pesticides should be securely stored and disposed of to avoid theft or accidental exposure,
• If there is a potential that people or animals will come into contact with pesticides, pesticide applicators should exercise the appropriate level of caution.
• Instructions on labels should be read carefully, and warnings should always be obeyed.

Using pesticides in violation of Department regulations can result in administrative penalties of up to $4,000 per incident, civil penalties of up to $25,000, Class A, B, and C misdemeanors, and a third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. For additional information on pesticide laws and the proper use of pesticides in Dallas, contact the Texas Department of Agriculture through email or visit their regional office at:

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Make sure that you understand what type of pest control strategy they will employ before hiring any exterminators in Dallas, and make sure it is appropriate for removing the pest infestation from your property. The most common pest management methods used by exterminators in the city are as follows:

• Organic Pest Control: Those who want to reduce the harm caused by small animals and insects while also preserving the safety of children, pets, and plants typically opt for an organic or natural pest control option. Biodegradable treatments can be put into baits to eradicate a wide range of pests effectively. It is the most cost-effective method of pest management in difficult situations. The technique includes traps, sprays, insecticidal soap, oil, parasitic nematodes, and floating row covers. Natural ingredients such as neem oil, boric acid, Kaolin Clay, Limonene, Ryania, Pyrethrins, Diatomaceous earth, Spinosad, Rotenone, Bacillus thuringiensis, or sulfur are commonly found in organic pesticides. Professionals employ a variety of organic pest control solutions, including:
  • 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: This strategy involves introducing natural enemies of the pest, such as predators, parasites, and pathogens, to biologically control pests by interfering with their ability to reproduce and infecting them with a lethal bacterial disease. For example, a group of flea beetles, thrips, and stem borers can be employed to control alligator weed in a biological pest control strategy. Although this method is typically used in greenhouses, it can also be used outdoors. This strategy is safer for your plants, your family, and natural wildlife as compared to the potential dangers of pesticides. On the other hand, the success of this approach depends on the effective use of appropriate species under the right circumstances.
• Chemical Pest Control: Chemical pesticides are used in tens of millions of homes, businesses, stores, farms, and other areas around the world today. Pesticides are environmentally hazardous, polluting the land, air, food, and water. At times, they can be too dangerous for the people who use them and other living creatures in the region. Insecticides, bactericides, and herbicides are just a few of the pesticides available in solid, liquid, and aerosol forms, and they're classed by the type of insect they kill. Pesticides should only be handled by trained professionals knowledgeable about the chemicals and capable of avoiding contamination of exposed food, drinks, utensils, and other consumables. For chemical pest treatment in the house, professionals utilize the following products:
  • Bifen IT Concentrate
  • Suspend SC Concentrate
  • Termidor SC Concentrate
  • CimeXa Insecticide Dust
  • BioAdvanced 3-in-1 Insect Disease & Mite Control
• Electronic Pest Control: Thanks to technological advancements, catching house pests and permanently eradicating them has gotten considerably easier. Electronic pest control affecting the brain systems of various species, including mice, is known as electromagnetic pest management. Its only shortcoming is that it repels only insects and rats. Ultrasound, on the other hand, generates high-frequency, short-wavelength sound waves. Pest control specialists employ electronic pest control devices such as WahooArt, Diaotec, Loraffe, Aigoo, Abilly, Avantaway, Rostermark, Pest Soldier, Zovenhci, MaxMoxie, Cleanrth CR008, Neatmaster, and Victor M756K.

Hiring a professionally experienced exterminator is the best way to ensure that the most effective pest control method is implemented in your situation. You can find licensed exterminators in Dallas through the Better Business Bureau's online directory. Depending on your pest problem, an exterminator may recommend combining two or more of these methods.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

The three main types of pest control services are pest extermination, pest removal, and pest prevention. Pest extermination and removal, as their names suggest, entail removing existing pest infestations. In contrast, pest prevention is taking preemptive steps to prevent pests from entering your home in the first place. Also, while many exterminators in the area are trained to deal with various pests, some may specialize in one or two species of pests.

Consequently, before concluding any employment arrangements with pest control professionals, you should always confirm the types of household pests they specialize in eradicating and the types of pest control services they give. Based on the type of pests involved, the following are cost estimates for pest control services per one-time visit of exterminators in Dallas:

Keep in mind that, depending on the intensity of the infestation, you may require many treatments and visits from an exterminator.

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

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were four fatal and 2,820 nonfatal on-the-job accidents among pest control professionals in 2020. Hiring an exterminator with enough general liability insurance and, where applicable, workers' compensation insurance protects you financially and legally if your necessary pest control treatment results in property damage or personal injury.

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control Service requires all business license applicants to file a policy or contract of insurance for at least $200,000 in personal injury and property damage coverage, with a minimum total aggregate of $300,000 for all incidents. Liability insurance should also cover damage to individuals or property under the pest treatment professional's care, custody, or control.

Always demand verification of insurance and bonding from your prospective exterminator, and then check with the issuing institutions to ensure that the paperwork is authentic and that the coverage levels are adequate for the scope of your project. For additional information on insurance requirements for pest control specialists in Dallas, contact the Texas Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control Service at (866) 918-4481 or via email or visit the Department's physical office at:

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

It is not enough to find pest control companies with the reputation, licenses, certifications, specialty, techniques, and coverage you require, as hiring an exterminator might still be difficult. To eliminate pests in their home or office, most consumers are split between hiring a local exterminator or a large corporation like Orkin, Terminix, Arrow Exterminators, Hawx, Ehrlich, Bulwark, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Truly Nolen, and Viking. However, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a local or national brand in light of the following factors can assist you in making an informed decision.

Pros

Cons