Get Quotes from Top Pest Control Companies in Fort Worth, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Fort Worth?

The Structural Pest Control Act requires businesses and individuals who do structural pest control for hire to be licensed. Texas also demands a license for applying pesticides in Fort Worth, which can be obtained from the Texas Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control Service, be it private or commercial/noncommercial applicators licenses.

Pest control companies in Fort Worth might choose from several different categories, including pest control, termite control, grass and ornamental, structural fumigation, commodity fumigation, weed management, and wood preservation, depending on the focus of their pest control business.

Use the Texas Department of Agriculture's Pest Control Business Licensee Web Search to determine if a pest control service in Fort Worth is licensed. Operating without a license is regarded as a maximum hazard, and first-time offenders face fines of up to $2,000, second-time offenders $3,000, and third-time offenders $5,000. Use the Texas Department of Agriculture's eApply portal to apply for a Structural Pest Control License in Fort Worth.

To get additional information about obtaining a pest control license in Fort Worth, contact the Department at:

Texas Department of Agriculture
1700 N. Congress, 11th Floor
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-7476

According to the EPA's Federal Certification Standards for Pesticide Applicators, anyone who applies or supervises the use of restricted-use pesticides must be certified as a private or commercial applicator. Commercial pesticide applicators must have a working knowledge of pesticide use and safety and at least one specific application category. Please contact the EPA by email or by filling out an online form for more information on Federal Certification Standards.

Are You Registered with the Texas State Pest Control Association?

Check that your prospective Fort Worth pest control expert is a Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA) member and has a valid state-issued pest control license or is state-certified. Exterminators who are members of this Association get access to various networking possibilities, low-cost courses and training throughout the state, industry updates, and state and national public policy and legislation representation.

All of this translates to better service for homeowners who engage exterminators and a new dispute resolution alternative if they are dissatisfied with their services.

Members of the Texas Pest Control Association are also members of the National Pest Management Association, and this membership opens them to a broader range of educational and business resources and commercial opportunities. Any exterminator in Fort Worth who claims to be a member of one of these groups must always provide proof of membership.

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

Make it a point to find out how much money you will be expected to pay before the project begins to avoid any unnecessary misconceptions that may emerge once the work has begun. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, pest control employees in the Fort Worth region earn an average hourly income of $19.76.

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 determine, to a large extent, how much these professionals charge for their services.

Consult with different exterminators in Fort Worth and get price quotes from them. Compare these estimates and choose the best fit for your budget to ensure you get a fair price for your pest control project. It's important to note that you shouldn't choose an exterminator solely on price, as some fraudulent persons purposefully advertise low prices to defraud naive homeowners.

Pest control workers in Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth Regulations for Pesticide Applications?

It is critical to double-check that any pest treatment company you use follows the city's pesticide application standards as stipulated in Chapter 7 of the Texas Administrative Code before you hire them.

According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, anyone who misuses pesticides might face administrative, civil, or criminal consequences. This authority also extends to insecticides intended for broad use, or the general public can purchase them. Applicators are in charge of good stewardship and adherence 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 stored and disposed of safely to avoid theft or unintended exposure.
• If people or animals may be exposed to pesticides, pesticide applicators should take the appropriate amount of caution.
• Label instructions should be carefully read, and warnings should always be followed.

Pesticide use that violates the Department's guidelines 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. Contact the Texas Department of Agriculture for more information on pesticide restrictions and the proper use of pesticides in Fort Worth through email or visit their regional office at:

Fort Worth State Office Building
Fort Worth Food & Nutrition Office
1501 Circle Drive, Suite 155
Fort Worth, TX 76119
Phone: (817) 321-8101

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

When hiring a pest control service in Fort Worth, ensure you understand the type of pest control approach they will use and that it is the most successful for removing the pest infestation from your property. The most prevalent pest management strategies utilized by exterminators in the city are as follows:

• Organic Pest Control: Those who want to minimize the harm caused by small animals and insects without jeopardizing the safety of their children, neighbors, pets, plants, and the environment around them usually pick an organic or natural solution. The organic method is probably your best bet for reducing the damage caused by insects and small animals. You could use bait and traps in this situation. It is the most cost-effective way to keep pests at bay in challenging terrains. Oil sprays, parasitic nematodes, floating row coverings, insecticidal soap, and other goods are utilized in organic pest management.

Organic or natural pest control solutions used by professionals in Fort Worth include:

• • 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
• Chemical Pest Control: Certain organic pest control options are ineffectual, so some people opt for chemical pest control. Chemicals come in thousands of different forms for use in both residential and commercial settings. In nature, these can be solid, liquid, or aerosol. However, some pesticides are hazardous and can harm the land, air, food, and water. In today's homes, offices, stores, farms, and other areas, chemical pesticides are used. At times, they can be too dangerous for the people who use them and other living creatures in the region. Insecticides, bactericides, and herbicides, for example, are used to kill insects, bactericides to kill bacteria, and herbicides to destroy plants.

It is recommended not to spray pesticides yourself, but if you do, read the label carefully to avoid contaminating exposed food, drinks, utensils, and other useable goods. If you're having problems dealing with pesticides on your own, use a pest control company to help you. Pest control experts 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
• Biological Pest Control: The employment of live organisms to lower rodent populations is known as biological pest control. Pest natural enemies, such as predators, parasites, and pathogens, are introduced to naturally manage pests by interfering with their reproduction ability and infecting them with lethal bacterial diseases. This strategy ensures that your plants, your family, and natural wildlife are safe compared to pesticides' potential dangers.

On the other hand, the success of this approach largely depends on the effective use of appropriate species under the right circumstances. Biological pest control is so popular because it is chemical-free and highly effective. It can keep insect populations under control in a safe manner. Growing flowering plants near crops to attract and maintain populations of natural enemies, such as hoverfly adults, who are drawn to umbelliferous plants in bloom, is an example of biological pest control.

• Electric Pest Control: Eliminating bugs in the home is now achievable thanks to technological advancements. The electromagnetic approach, which affects the neural systems of numerous species such as mice but only repels insects and rodents, is used in electronic pest management. Likewise, the ultrasonic approach uses high-frequency, short-length sound waves to work. Pest control specialists employ electronic pest control devices from Avantaway, Rostermark, Pest Soldier, WahooArt, Diaotec, Loraffe, Aigoo, Abilly, 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 specific situation. You can find licensed exterminators in Fort Worth through the Better Business Bureau's online directory. Depending on your pest problem, an exterminator may recommend a combination of 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. As their names suggest, pest extermination and removal entail removing existing pest infestations, the former using a fatal method while the latter focusing more on getting pests out of the infested areas. Pest prevention is taking proactive steps to prevent pests from entering your home in the first place.

Furthermore, 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 signing any employment agreements with an exterminator, you should always confirm the types of household pests they specialize in eradicating and the types of pest control services they provide. It is worth noting that, depending on the severity of the pest infestation, you may need repeated treatments and visits from an exterminator.

Based on the type of pests involved, the following are cost estimates for pest control services per one-time visit of exterminators in Fort Worth:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Exterminators in Fort Worth?

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 sufficient 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 bodily injury.

Furthermore, hiring fully insured exterminators provides much-needed peace of mind and removes one more concern from your plate.

Every business license applicant in Fort Worth must file an insurance policy or contract 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's Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS). Liability insurance should also cover damage to individuals or property in the care, custody, or control of the pest treatment specialist.

Always demand verification of insurance and bonding from your prospective exterminator, and then check with the issuing insurance institutions to ensure that the paperwork is authentic and that the coverage levels are adequate for the scope of your project. For additional information about the insurance requirements for pest control specialists in Fort Worth, call (866) 918-4481, send an email, or stop by the office of the SPCS at:

Texas Department of Agriculture
1700 N. Congress, 11th Floor
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-7476

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

Finding pest control companies that meet your criteria for reputation, licenses, certificates, specialties, techniques, and coverage does not mean the hiring decision will be easy. At this point, most customers are split between hiring a local exterminator and a large company such as Orkin, Terminix, Arrow Exterminators, Hawx, Ehrlich, Bulwark, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Truly Nolen, and Viking to eliminate pests in their home or office.

However, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using a local or national brand in light of the following factors may help you make an informed decision:

Pros

Cons