How to Choose a Pest Management Provider for Your Regional or National Operation

When it comes to the failure of your pest control program, the stakes can be high. Pest presence can result in customer complaints, poor reviews, damaged product or regulatory failures. The effects of a full-blown pest infestation can be even worse – lost business, shutdowns, litigation and a PR crisis.

And that’s just when you’re dealing with one location. If you manage pest control for multiple sites, it can get complicated quickly and make the impact exponential.

With that in mind, it’s important to find the right, licensed pest management professional for your needs, whether you are managing franchised locations, regional sites or a national operation. But how do you know where to start and what to look for in a provider?

Whether you’ve recently decided to outsource your pest control or you think it’s time to reevaluate your program and look for a new provider, there are few things you should consider.

Does the provider practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

If the answer is no, move on. IPM is the best-practice approach to pest control since it focuses on preventive measures and relies on targeted treatment applications as a last resort. With IPM as a prerequisite, you can narrow your search further by using these tips:

• Solicit recommendations from your industry colleagues. Ask them about their pest management program and how satisfied they are with their provider.

• If your company is part of a larger network, find out if there is a preferred vendor that offers a corporate-approved scope of service.

• If your company uses a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), inquire if there is a preferred vendor agreement that will give you a discounted price.

Are they equipped with the knowledge they need to do the job?

Be prepared to ask prospective candidates questions that will separate credible providers from the rest.

Can they handle the potential pest issues on your property?

Identify pests that pose a threat to your business and invite the providers on your short list to tour and assess your facility, providing recommendations for how they’d handle those pest issues.

Are they able to service your multiple locations in an effective, seamless way?

Your provider should have locations in key geographic areas to provide swift, consistent service to the accounts in your network. It’s important that your pest control provider is qualified to service your operation effectively, so be sure they:

• Design a pest management program that meets or exceeds all pest control requirements and protocols. They should tailor a program to meet the challenges at your locations, and then monitor effectiveness through regular audits.

• Focus on comprehensive, ongoing training for various industries, as well as federal, state and local regulatory requirements. They should also be certified in treatment techniques that follow industry standards to assure safety and efficacy.

• Support its service with a quality assurance team made of professional entomologists, sanitarians, industry experts and commercial and industrial specialists with extensive experience in the pest management industry.

• Provide a guarantee that mandates they will respond quickly to pest emergencies and guarantee your total satisfaction with your service.

Once you choose a pest management provider, remember to communicate openly and often, define clear roles and stay proactive. Building a foundation for a healthy partnership early on will lead to a more successful pest management program in the long run.