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Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Houston?

The regulation and registration of pest control businesses and individuals in Houston are handled by the Structural Pest Control Services (SPCS) of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Exterminators who desire to offer services in Houston must obtain a license to provide effective and efficient pest control services. It is hazardous for an unlicensed exterminator to carry out pest control services in Houston. It is a violation that attracts the payment of a fine of up to $5,000.

The SPCS issues two types of licenses to individuals who wish to work as exterminators in Houston:

Commercial and Non-commercial Technician: These individuals perform pest control services under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. To be eligible for these licenses, an applicant must first register as an apprentice and complete all apprentice training requirements. To register as an apprentice, individuals must submit an application form online with a $125 fee within ten days of their employment in providing pest control services. TDA will review the application, conduct a background check and issue an apprentice card before approving the application.

Apprentices who complete their training can then take a technician exam by submitting an application form and an application fee of $64 to:

Once the applicants pass the exam, they will be issued the relevant technician license.

Structural Certified Applicator: TDA issues three types of structural applicator licenses to interested exterminators in Houston. This includes:

• Certified commercial pest control: This professional is responsible for providing pest control services, including inspection and identification, for a licensed pest control business that provides pest control services. This individual may also supervise and train technicians and apprentices.
• Certified non-commercial pest control: This professional provides effective and efficient pest control services to apartment buildings and facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, hotels, and food processing establishments. While they may not solicit business, a certified non-commercial applicator works exclusively for their employer.
• Responsible certified applicator: This professional oversees the operations of a pest control business. Other pest control businesses can employ this individual as a certified commercial applicator. However, this individual may only work as a designated responsible certified applicator for a specific business license location.

To be eligible for any of the structural certified applicator licenses, applicants must meet the following licensing requirements:

• Must have held a technician license for at least six months and be employed with duties that include carrying out inspections and performing other tasks under the supervision of a licensed, certified applicator for at least 12 of the last 24 months.
• Must have a degree in biological science or other associated degrees and provide proof of their college transcript.
• Must have 12 months of verifiable technical field experience from another occupation in the past 24 months.
• Non-commercial applicants must complete a TDA-approved non-commercial applicator training course.
• Must file with TDA a policy or certificate of insurance
• Must submit an exam application
• Must pass a criminal review to be carried out by TDA

Applicants who check these licensing requirements can complete an application online or fill and submit a printable application form and an application fee of $125 via mail to TDA's address provided above.

Per Section A1951.301 of the Texas Structural Pest Control Act, all individuals in Houston's structural pest control industry must obtain a business license for every location where their pest control business operates. Every business license holder in Houston must also employ a commercial applicator who must not be employed by any other company or business license site. To apply for a business license, the pest control business can complete an application via TDA's online licensing platform.

When choosing an exterminator, ensure their work will comply with the federal pesticide application standards. You can get more information about the registration and license of exterminators in Houston by contacting SPCS at (877) 542-2474 or (866) 918-4481. You can also check the licensing status of your intended Houston exterminator by utilizing the TDA's relevant annual list of registered and licensed professionals.

Are You Registered with the Texas Pest Control Association?

It is essential to check if your intended exterminator is a member of a reputable trade association. Some organizations with strong reputations in the industry include the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA) and the National Pest Management Association. These organizations promote high standards and provide their members with the latest training and industry information.

Being a member of these organizations can help an experienced exterminator provide you with higher professionalism. Another advantage of choosing an association member is that they can offer a channel for resolving disputes with their customers.

If your intended exterminator claims to be a member of these organizations, ensure you ask for proof of membership, such as a copy of their membership card. Contact the relevant organization to authenticate any document provided by the exterminator as proof of membership.

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

Before you hire a professional exterminator in Houston, it is important that you thoroughly find out how much exterminators in the area charge. In Houston, the average wage for a pest control worker is around $19.30 an hour. However, the total cost of doing business in the city can vary depending on various factors, including:

• The size of the infected area.
• Your location within Houston
• Type of pests that require controlling
• The level of pest infestation
• The urgency of the situation
• The cost of supplies and equipment required for the job

When planning to hire an exterminator, it is essential that you shop around for multiple estimates of several exterminators near you to ensure that you get the best possible rate. Doing so will help you avoid getting ripped off by exterminators only interested in scamming you. Also, be careful about hiring a professional who offers low rates and deals too good to be true.

Pest control workers in Houston earn an average annual wage of $39,350. The list below compares the average hourly wages of this category of professionals in the city with those in other parts of Texas and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with the Houston Regulations for Pesticide Application?

Getting a well-trained and licensed exterminator is very important to ensure you get the best possible service when dealing with pests in Houston. In addition to having the necessary knowledge about the various laws and regulations in the city, as professionals, exterminators are expected to follow all applicable legislation and regulations regarding pesticide use. If pesticides are used inappropriately or illegally, the exterminator could face a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for each day of violation, a 180-day jail term, or both.

The regulation guiding pesticide application in Houston is the Texas Structural Pest Control Law. The exterminator must abide by the following pesticide use regulations:

• The mandatory registration and certification of all pesticide applicators and companies in Houston.
• To avoid unauthorized use and theft, pesticides should be stored and disposed of properly through the secure storage of containers.
• A certified pest control technician or applicator must provide a copy of a pest control information sheet to the owner of a private residence or workplace. This information sheet should be obtained before the treatment begins.
• The labels of pesticides should be read carefully and appropriately followed by the exterminator.

You can find out about the regulations and laws that apply to your pest control service in Houston by contacting the Structural Pest Control Services (SPCS) of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) at (866) 918-4481 or via email. You can also visit the regional office of TDA located in Houston at:

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Before you hire a Houston exterminator in Houston, you should inquire about their pest control methods and techniques. This will allow you to decide whether their services will be effective for the intended pest services. Houston-based exterminators typically use various methods to control pests. Some of these include:

• Chemical Pest Control: Involves the use of chemicals to eliminate pests and their living areas. A wide range of chemical pesticides can threaten the environment, contaminating the food, water, and air we rely on. They can also be toxic to people and animals, especially if used with other chemicals. Only trained professionals can handle pesticides. These individuals should be able to identify and avoid contamination of food, utensils, and other consumable items. For chemical pest control, professional exterminators use the following types of products:
  • CimeXa Insecticide Dust
  • Suspend SC Concentrate
  • Bifen IT Concentrate
  • Termidor SC Concentrate
  • BioAdvanced 3-in-1 Insect Disease & Mite Control
• Biological Pest Control: This involves using animals to control the population of pests in an area. For instance, using cats as a control tool for pests like rodents in a home. Although this method is generally safe for humans, it is only effective when the animal is used under proper conditions.
• Organic Pest Control: This involves using various methods such as traps, bait, and sprays to control pests in an area while still preserving the safety of their pets, humans, and the natural environment. However, this type of control is not particularly effective at getting rid of pests. Nonetheless, an organic approach to controlling pests is the most cost-effective way to deal with difficult pest situations. Natural ingredients such as boric acid, coconut oil, and silica are commonly used in organic pesticides. Professional exterminators also make use of a variety of organic pest control solutions, including:
  • EcoSmart Ant & Roach Killer
  • Verdana Cold-Pressed Organic Neem Oil
  • Essentria IC3
  • Wondercide All-Purpose Organic Home & Garden Insect Control
  • Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control Spray
  • EcoRaider Ant & Crawling Insect Killer
• Electronic Pest Control: This type of control uses devices that emit electromagnetic and ultrasonic signals to repel rodents and insects. This method can only repel rats and insects and is ineffective against other types of pests. Professional exterminators employ electronic devices that produce sound waves, such as Aigoo, Diaotec, Eliotec, Abilly, Pest Soldier, WahooArt, Diaotec, Loraffe, and Zovenhci.
• Hygienic pest control: This type of control focuses on preventing the spread of pests by maintaining good hygiene.

If you have a pest problem, hiring a licensed and experienced exterminator is the best way to solve the pest problem. Your exterminator will be better positioned to advise you on the best method to solve your pest issues. You can find a reputable exterminator on online directories like the National Pest Management Association or third-party review websites like Better Business Bureau. You can also find licensed exterminators in the city by contacting the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA) at (512) 954-9664.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Before you hire an exterminator in Houston, it is essential that you know what type of pests they are capable of handling and if they have the appropriate equipment to offer effective pest control services. A professional exterminator can offer three main types of pest services in the city. This includes

• Pest Prevention
• Pest Extermination
• Pest Removal

While pest prevention services try to prevent common pests from breeding and establishing themselves in your home, pest removal and extermination services often involve getting rid of unwanted pests already established in an area. Ensure you confirm the type of services that your intended exterminator intends to provide and whether they can exterminate specific pests in your home. This will allow you to receive the best possible service.

Also, ensure you agree with the exterminator about the cost of pest control services before they commence work. The following list provides the average costs for various pests in Houston.

These costs above are based on the estimates, which means you pay more or less than what is provided above. Also, depending on the severity of the pest infestation, you may need multiple visits from the exterminator to get the job done.

Do You Carry the Necessary Right Insurance Policy for Exterminators in Houston?

While working, an exterminator can face various on-the-job hazards, such as exposure to harmful chemicals, insect bites, and possible disease infections. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2,820 nonfatal on-the-job accidents among pest control professionals in 2020. Hiring an exterminator with the proper insurance coverage can help minimize the financial and legal liabilities you might face if they get injured while providing you with their services.

Per Section A1951.312 of the Texas Structural Pest Control Law, all Houston pest control business license applicants must file a contract or policy of insurance that provides coverage for at least $200,000 in property damage and bodily injury to persons caused by their activities, with a minimum total aggregate of $300,000 for all occurrences, including damages caused by the pest treatment professionals to properties and persons under their custody, control, or care.

As such, you should always ask for proof of insurance coverage from your intended exterminator or pest control company. This should be exhibited in the form of a certificate that shows the company's liability insurance policies. Confirm that the policy can provide enough coverage by authenticating such a certificate with the issuing insurance provider.

You can get more information on insurance requirements for exterminators in Houston by contacting the Texas Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control Service at (866) 918-4481 or via email.

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

Before hiring an effective and licensed pest control company, you must ensure they are thoroughly licensed. Also, you will need to ensure they have the equipment and the knowledge to carry out your intended pest control business. Nonetheless, Houston residents often get stuck when deciding whether to hire a local exterminator or retain the services of some of the most popular large companies such as Orkin, Terminix, and Arrow.

At this point, you must consider the pros and cons of hiring a local or national pest control company. This will help you to decide when choosing the most suitable exterminator.

Pros

Cons