1. Legitimacy- A good first step is to check available online sources for a company's legitimacy. Look for companies who are properly licensed and part of the state or regional pest control associations. Another great place to check is the Better Business Bureau or review sites like Yelp or Angies List. Finally, check out the company's website for reviews and see how a company presents itself.

2. Local Referral- Make sure to get a referral from someone in your neighborhood or area who has the same technician that you would. It doesn't matter how well the company is run unless the actual technician coming out to service your home is professional, courteous, and competent in his work.

3. Large vs. Small Company- As much as we try not to stereotype, with a big company you can feel like just another account number. A small company might not have all the services or conveniences of a bigger company. However, some large companies are well run and personable, and some small companies are more flexible while offering a variety of services. It has more to do with business philosophy than size.

4. Business Philosophy - Safe, convenient, and affordable. Sometimes it's tricky to get all three. Some of the cheapest companies cut corners on product safety and service. Some companies specialize in green, low toxicity solutions. Some are well established and have high customer satisfaction but then charge a premium for their good name. Look for the best combination of these three qualities.

5. Service Specialty- Many pest control companies provide a variety of pest services, however, some companies specialize in different areas like food handling establishments, residential pest, termite control, plants, wildlife control, working with contractors, etc. Make sure the company you choose specializes in the services you need.

6. Communication- A good rule of thumb for evaluating any service is (1) do they answer the phone, and (2) if not, how quickly do they return calls. This goes for the office and the technician servicing your home. Getting satisfactory answers to your questions falls under communication as well!

7. Ease of Service- Look for a pest control company that provides convenience in payment options, scheduling service, and communication. Do they accept credit cards? Can you schedule service online? And it bears repeating, does the company communicate well?

8. Interview your technician- Sometimes asking the person that you will regularly be in communication with is a better gauge of answering questions than a salesperson. Of course, sometimes the technician is the salesperson, secretary, and the owner!

9. Warranty- You'll want to make sure to read the pest control contract and consider it carefully, especially the warranty and exclusions to the warranty. Find out if there is an extra charge for extra service calls.

10. Service Frequency- Some pest companies only provide a certain frequency of service such as monthly, every other month, quarterly, or annual pest control service. After your research and consultation with a pest company, be sure that the frequency of service is not more or less than you need and not what is most profitable for a company.