Let's face it: No one wants to hire an exterminator. But sometimes it is inevitable that you will need the services of exterminators to keep your home safe, comfortable, and pest-free. When you realize you need an exterminator, it is important to hire the right one.

Tips for Choosing a Good Exterminator

When narrowing down your options for a good exterminator, keep these tips in mind.

• Comparison shopping is always a good thing. Ask your friends and neighbors about the exterminators they use, and then start comparing the short list. Look them up on the Internet or call them and ask for information about their company.
• Get good quotes and make sure you know what the quotes entail. Do they come back if the extermination didn't work the first time? How about quarterly follow-ups? Do you get a discount for paying in advance?
• Ask about the chemicals they will use. This is very important if you have small children or pets in the house. What is meant to eradicate pests could also cause serious harm or even death if your kids or pets got into the treatments. Rather than worry about the situation, make sure the exterminator has non-toxic or low-impact options.
• Get their history and check out their references. Look at the Better Business Bureau to determine if they have any complaints. Remember: complaints should not be a deal breaker. How they resolved those complaints is what determines the value of a company's service.
• Get it done quickly. If an exterminator says you will have to wait a week or two before they can get to your problem, they are either in high demand--which means they could afford to hire new workers--or they don't have enough people to go around. Either way, a long wait for service is a red flag.