Get Quotes from Top Pest Control Companies in Chicago, IL

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Chicago?

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), through its Division of Environmental Health Pest Control Program, regulates the activities of companies that provide services related to controlling wood-destroying organisms and pests in Chicago. To prevent unauthorized individuals from offering pest services to the city's residents, all exterminators must obtain a license from the IDPH before offering their services.

Per Section 830.710 of the Structural Pest Control Code, carrying out pest control work without a license could result in a Type B or Type C violation, which will attract penalties like revocation or suspension of the erring exterminator.

The IDPH issues two types of business licenses that entitle the holder to carry out general use pesticides, namely:

• Commercial structural pest control business: Any individual intending to engage in structural pest control at any commercial structural pest control business location in Chicago or anywhere else in the state must obtain a business license from IDPH. This will require the applicants to fill out and submit a Commercial Structural Pest Control Business License application form, a certificate of insurance form, and the required fee of $250 to:

• Non-commercial structural pest control business: Any individual intending to engage in non-commercial structural pest control at any non-commercial structural pest control business located in Chicago or anywhere else in the state must obtain a business license from IDPH. The applicants can do this by filling out and submitting a Non-Commercial Structural Pest Control Business application form alongside a $200 application fee to the above IDPH address.

Note that the licenses for structural pest control businesses will only be available to applicants who employ at least one certified technician at their business location. The IDPH is also responsible for certifying exterminators as technicians.

Interested individuals must complete a Structural Pest Control General Use Application and Checklist form to be certified. The applicant must then send the completed form and a $75 personal check, cashier's check, or money order to the IDPH address provided above. IDPH will review the application, and where successful, the applicant will be required to choose an exam date and preferred location to take the pest control exam.

An applicant who intends to apply restricted pesticides must be certified as a restricted-use pesticide technician. To apply, the individual must complete a Structural Pest Control Restricted Use Application and Checklist form and send it alongside a $125 fee to the address provided above. In addition, the applicants must pass the general standard examination and one or more subcategory exams that align with the restricted pesticide that will be applied. Upon completion of the exam, the applicants for general pest control and restricted use will be issued the relevant technician licenses.

Per section 830.300 of the Structural Pest Control Code, Individuals who are not Illinois residents but certified as structural pest control technicians in their state may obtain certification in Illinois. However, the requirements for certification in their state must be substantially similar to those in Illinois.

Also, the applicant must still be a state resident and actively certified there. The exterminator must submit a letter to the IDPH to prove they are certified technicians. Once reviewed and approved, the exterminator can complete the relevant application and pay the required fee.

You can direct your queries regarding the licensing and certification requirements for exterminators in the city to IDPH by contacting their Chicago Office at (312) 814-2793 or (312) 814-5278. Before hiring an exterminator in Chicago to take care of your home's pests, ensure that the IDPH has licensed the pest control business. You can confirm this using the IDPH's pest control business search platform.

Are You Registered with the Illinois State Pest Control Association?

When planning to hire an experienced pest control company in Chicago, you ensure they are licensed and certified by the state of Illinois to ensure you receive the best possible service. Another vital step is confirming if the company belongs to the Illinois Pest Control Association (IPCA). Belonging to this association provides exterminators in Chicago with various benefits, such as:

• Access to cost-saving programs like discounts, HR consulting services, and background screenings
• Access to continuous pesticide-related education, training, and workshop opportunities
• Regular updates on industry news, research, and policy information impacting Illinois and around the United States.
• Provides an avenue to network.

The members of the IPCA are expected to uphold their Association's ByLaws when providing pest control services. This ensures that they work professionally and that their customers receive the best possible service. In addition to being members of the IPCA, some of its members also belong to other trade organizations, such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

If your intended exterminator claims to belong to any of the associations, you should request proof of their membership in the relevant association. You can use the search tools provided by the IPCA and the NPMA via their respective Find a Member and Find a Local Exterminator directories to find exterminators near you.

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

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for pest control workers in Chicago is around $19.05. However, the cost of doing business can vary depending on several factors, such as

• The size of the infested area
• The severity of the pest infestation
• The type of pest infestation in your home
• The exterminator's skills, experience, and reputation
• The type of pest control method used
• Location of your home in Chicago

Before hiring an efficient exterminator, ensure you have the necessary details about the price you will be charged. It is essential to get and compare multiple quotes from different exterminators to find the best one that suits your budget. Also, this will allow you to avoid being overcharged by fraudulent operators.

Another important thing to look out for is the low prices these exterminators offer. Ensure you inquire why their prices are low because some have hidden charges that you will only find out once they commence work.

Pest control workers in Chicago earn an average annual wage of $39,630. 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 Illinois and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with Chicago Regulations for Pesticide Application?

Getting the help of an experienced Chicago exterminator is very important to ensure that you are protected from violating pesticide use regulations in the city. The regulations controlling pesticides and other related materials in Chicago are the Structural Pest Control Code and Illinois General Standards Manual for Structural Pest Control. Some requirements of these regulations include:

• Exterminators must be certified as technicians by the Illinois Department of Public Health before working for a licensed commercial or non-commercial pest business. Also, before applying restricted-use pesticides, they must be certified as such by IDPH.
• Exterminators must wear the proper personal protective equipment when handling pesticides. These include safety glasses, face shields, and goggles. Also, an unlined glove should be worn when using chemical materials such as nitrile or butyl.
• Exterminators must always consult the label of any chemical or pesticide to determine the proper pesticide disposal method. Also, they must follow disposal instructions provided by the IDPH.
• Exterminators and pest control businesses must have secured storage facilities. Also, vehicles transporting pesticides must have the necessary equipment to secure and transport them to prevent them from being damaged.

For more information regarding how the regulations may affect any planned pest control services in your home, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health Chicago office at (312) 814-2793 or (312) 814-5278.

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Before you hire a professional to deal with your pest problems, you must know the type of control methods the exterminator will use. In Chicago, there are various types of pest management techniques that professional exterminators commonly utilize, such as:

• Biological Control: This involves using natural enemies such as predators and competitors of the pests. For instance, introducing parasites, pathogens, and predators to control a rodent population. Some examples of these include lacewings and lady beetles. However, this method is not as effective as it should be because human intervention is required to implement it successfully. Also, the species being used must be introduced under the right conditions.
• Cultural Control: This strategy focuses on reducing the chances of the pests establishing and reproducing in an area. This can be done through the establishment of better hygienic conditions and practices.
• Chemical Control: This is a strategy that involves the use of pesticides to control pests. This method is usually only used when necessary and is generally combined with other methods to minimize the effects of the chemicals on people and non-target organisms. Chemical control is more effective when used by a professional. This method can be carried out using various chemicals, such as those found in solid, liquid, or aerosol forms. Some of the top products professionals use for residential and commercial pest control include Bifen IT Concentrate, Suspend SC Concentrate, Termidor SC Concentrate, and CimeXa Insecticide Dust.
• Organic Control: This can be done by using various methods such as traps, sprays, and bait. Organic pesticides are usually effective at controlling pests and preventing other plants and animals from being affected. Organic pesticides typically contain active ingredients like Neem oil, Boric acid, Kaolin Clay, Limonene, and Ryania.

Although these methods can be used individually, they can be more effective when combined through integrated pest management. To find professional exterminators in Chicago, you can use the online directories of the Illinois Pest Control Association (IPCA) and the Better Business Bureau. Before hiring any of these professionals to deal with pest problems, confirm they possess the proper licenses and certifications.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Professional exterminators in Chicago offer various types of pest control services. These include removing and exterminating various pests, such as rodents and insects. In addition to these, exterminators can also carry out pest prevention services to prevent further pest infestation in your home or near you.

Before hiring a professional for any type of pest control service, it is good to confirm they specialize in your type of pest problem and can effectively address your problem. Doing so can help you avoid costly mistakes and waste of time. Also, you should confirm how much you will be charged for the pest services.

Listed below are cost estimates for pest control services provided by exterminators in Chicago:

Note that the number of visits an experienced pest control professional will make to your home to address your problem thoroughly will depend on the nature of the issue.

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

In 2020, over 2,800 pest control workers in the United States were injured due to work-related accidents. Not hiring an exterminator with the proper insurance will make you liable for any property damages and bodily injuries incurred while working in your home.

As part of the requirement to be issued a license to carry out pest control services, commercial structural pest control businesses must complete a certificate of insurance form. The certificate must provide insurance coverage for the following liabilities:

• $100,000 per person or $300,000 per occurrence of bodily injury
• $50,000 per occurrence of property damage;
• $350,000 per occurrence of combined bodily injury and property damage.

You can easily confirm that your intended pest control company has the necessary insurance coverage by requesting copies of their insurance certificate. Ensure you authenticate such a certificate with the issuing insurance carrier.

You can get more information about these insurance requirements by contacting the Chicago office of the Illinois Department of Public Health at (312) 814-2793 or (312) 814-5278.

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

Even after carrying out your due diligence to ensure your intended exterminator is licensed and certified to carry out pest control services, choosing the right pest control business can be difficult. Most consumers are usually torn between hiring a local pest control business or a national company like Bulwark, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Truly Nolen, Orkin, Terminix, Arrow Exterminators, and Hawxfor for their home or office.

You can assess the pros and cons of retaining the services of a local or national pest control business to help you make an informed decision:

Pros

Cons