Get Quotes from Top Pest Control Companies in El Paso, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in El Paso?

Professionals who offer pest control services for hire in El Paso must obtain the appropriate state license from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). The Texas Department of Agriculture issues different types of pest control licenses, and interested persons must meet the requirements of each license type to be eligible for licensing. These license types include:

• commercial applicator license for individuals who operate a business or are employees of a business that offers pest control service for hire,
• noncommercial applicator license for individuals who are not affiliated with a business but perform pest control services for compensation, and
• private applicator license for individuals producing agricultural commodities.

Note that performing pest control services without holding the appropriate license in El Paso may attract fines of up to $2,000 for first-time offenders and up to $3,000 and $5,000 for second-time and third-time offenders, respectively.

To avoid attracting unnecessary fines, pest control workers can apply for the appropriate exterminator license on the Texas Department of Agriculture's eApply portal. Anyone who does not wish to apply online can complete their application by downloading, filing, and mailing either the application form for a commercial applicator's license or the application form for a noncommercial applicator's license to:

Applicants for commercial applicator licenses must provide proof of financial responsibility in the amount of $100,000 for property damage and $100,000 for bodily injury per occurrence or a general aggregate at a minimum of $200,000 for each occurrence. These persons must also submit a pesticide applicator business registration form to the above-listed address.

Furthermore, commercial applicator businesses and private pest control licensees can choose several TDA pesticide applicator categories. These include, but are not limited to, agricultural pest control, lawn and ornamental pest control, regulatory pest control, public health pest control, and aerial application.

You can contact the TDA for more information on obtaining a pest control license in El Paso at (512) 463-7476. You can also find out if the TDA licenses a pest control professional by calling the telephone number mentioned earlier.

Having obtained the appropriate pest control license, pest control workers who wish to apply or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides must be certified as private or commercial applicators based on Federal Certification Standards. The certification is performed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

To obtain a private applicator certification, applicants must demonstrate a practical understanding of agricultural pest problems and treatment strategies, alongside adequate knowledge of pesticide storage, use, handling, and disposal. To obtain a commercial applicator certification, on the other hand, applicants must demonstrate that they understand basic pesticide use and safety, as well as adequate knowledge in at least one specialty application area. Queries concerning the requirements for obtaining pesticide use-related certification can be directed to the EPA via email or by completing this online form.

Are You Registered with the Texas State Pest Control Association?

When considering an exterminator in El Paso, it is essential to note that checking if the individual is licensed is only one of the several precautionary steps you can take.

Another essential step is to find out if your preferred professional is a member of a statewide pest control association like the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA). Making sure that the individual you intend to hire is a member of the TPCA guarantees better service. This is because members of the TPCA have access to affordable workshops and training across the state, industry updates, and multiple resources that enable them to provide their services seamlessly.

Most El Paso exterminators are also members of their city's TPCA chapter and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). This national organization provides numerous educational and business resources to professionals in the pest management community. Nonetheless, it is crucial to determine if the individual you are considering is a member of these associations before signing an agreement.

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

Pest control workers in the El Paso area earn an average hourly income of $16.74. However, it is essential to note that this average hourly rate may change in certain situations.

Pest control workers may demand more than the average hourly cost for pest control services in El Paso because of the size of the area to be treated, the severity of the infestation, the type of pest control method to be used, or the number of visits required to complete the job. Note that unscrupulous professionals may lie about the actual cost of a pest control service by exaggerating the impact of any of these factors.

As a result, homeowners should always discuss the service they need with at least three different pest control professionals in the city and ask each to submit an estimate for the service afterward.

Furthermore, homeowners should compare these estimates to determine the actual cost of the service. However, homeowners should also be on the lookout for professionals offering low prices. This is usually a trick used by unscrupulous professionals to persuade unsuspecting homeowners.

Pest control workers in El Paso earn an average annual wage of $34,810. 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 El Paso Regulations for Pesticide Application?

There are no locally established rules regulating the application of pesticides in El Paso. However, professionals or businesses who wish to apply pesticides for compensation must comply with the Texas Department of Agriculture guidelines for the use of pesticides. Some of these guidelines include:

• Proper and adequate storage of pesticides to avoid accidental exposure,
• Adhering to pesticide label instructions
• Exercising utmost caution when there is a perceived risk of exposure to pesticides

Applying pesticides in a way that violates the regulations of the Texas Department of Agriculture attracts administrative penalties of up to $4,000 per incident and civil penalties of up to $25,000. For more information concerning the regulations guiding pesticide use in Texas, contact the Texas Department of Agriculture via email or visit their regional office at:

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Pest control professionals in El Paso use various pest control methods for dealing with specific pest problems. Note that the choice of which pest control method to use is decided after the professional has identified and studied the type of pest they are dealing with. The most common pest management methods used by exterminators in the city are as follows:

• Organic Pest Control: This method is commonly used to eliminate insects that feed on plants. Organic pest control strategy relies on using pheromone traps, releasing beneficial insects, trap crops, and other organically approved techniques to eliminate pests in an area. Items like spinosad, pyrethrin, neem oil, diatomaceous earth, bacillus thuringiensis, or sulfur are alternatives to artificial chemicals like pesticides.

Exterminators employ a variety of organic pest control solutions, including:

• • EcoRaider Ant & Crawling Insect Killer
  • EcoSmart Ant & Roach Killer
  • Verdana Cold-Pressed Organic Neem Oil
  • Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control Spray
  • Wondercide All-Purpose Organic Home & Garden Insect Control
  • Essentria IC3
• Biological Pest Control: This involves the introduction of natural enemies of the pest, such as pathogens, parasites, and predators, to control the spread and eliminate pests in an area. A good example of a biological pest control strategy is the introduction of decapitating flies in an area infested with fire ants. While biological control strategies are generally safer than pesticides, their success depends on the exterminator's accurate diagnosis of the problem and the right biological strategy.
• Physical and Mechanical Pest Control: This strategy is recommended when dealing with larger pests like rodents, snakes, and raccoons. It involves the use of devices to control pests in an area. These devices include screens, fences, barriers, traps, and mulches.
• Chemical Pest Control: This strategy involves the application of chemical pesticides to eliminate pests in an area. However, this pest control method requires a great deal of expertise because it can result in various health problems when it is not done correctly. As a result, you should always look for a pest control professional who knows when to apply pesticides and the type of pesticide required for a particular pest infestation. Common chemical pesticides used by exterminators include:
  • Suspend SC Concentrate
  • Termidor SC Concentrate
  • CimeXa Insecticide Dust
  • BioAdvanced 3-in-1 Insect Disease & Mite Control

You can find competent and experienced pest control professionals in your locality by utilizing the Better Business Bureau. However, before hiring an individual from the directory, make sure that you check if any complaints have been filed against the professional in the past.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Most pest control professionals in El Paso offer various pest control services to interested persons. These services are generally categorized into pest extermination, pest removal, and pest prevention.

Some pest control professionals also deal with specific pests such as termites, bed bugs, rodents, mosquitoes, and bats. Pest control workers who specialize in controlling specific household pests are usually more experienced in dealing with the problem than professionals who provide general services. As a homeowner, it is wise to hire a professional who specializes in offering the specific type of pest services you need.

Once you identify a professional experienced in handling your pest problem, the next thing is to find out what it will cost to get rid of that particular type of pest in your home. Always ensure that the professional provides a breakdown of the work to be done and the cost of the service. Based on the type of pest involved, the following are cost estimates for pest control services per one-time visit of exterminators in El Paso:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Exterminators in El Paso?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, four fatal and 2,820 nonfatal on-the-job accidents were recorded among pest control professionals in the country in 2020 alone. The statistics above show pest control workers are often victims of on-the-job accidents.

Homeowners should understand that these accidents can result in significant financial responsibilities if the pest control worker is not insured. As a result, homeowners should always ensure that the individual they intend to hire is insured. As a homeowner, you can confirm whether the individual you intend to hire is insured by asking for their insurance certificate and contacting the insurance company that issued the certificate to verify the information.

Hiring a pest control worker insured in El Paso not only guarantees protection against liabilities resulting from on-the-job accidents but also means hiring a law-abiding professional.

According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, the agency responsible for statewide licensing and certification of pest control professionals, anyone who intends to obtain a license that qualifies them to provide pest control services for compensation must maintain a minimum insurance.

Applicants are required 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 with the Texas Department of Agriculture. However, if a pest control professional claims to have the abovementioned insurance policies on file with the Texas Department of Agriculture, do not hesitate to verify their claim from the Department. You can do this by calling (866) 918-4481, sending an email, or visiting the Department's physical office at:

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

Homeowners can either hire a local exterminator or a large corporation like Arrow, Aptive, Orkin, or Bulwark each time they need pest control services. However, to get the best service, the decision to use either a local exterminator or a large corporation should be made after they have assessed the advantages and disadvantages of using one over the other.

Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a local or national brand.

Pros

Cons