Get Quotes from Top Pest Control Companies in Charlotte, NC

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Charlotte?

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) regulates exterminators operating in Charlotte through its Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division. This division consists of a Structural Pest Control Section and a Pesticide Section, and these sections offer several licensing and certification options to interested parties:

• Registered Technician: Individuals with this license type must work under the direct supervision of a licensed structural pest control operator or a non-commercial certified applicator
• Certified Applicator: Certified applicators are authorized to use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides in and around structures. However, they cannot perform commercial structural pest control work unless it is done on behalf of a licensed structural pest control operator. Certifications may be earned in at least one of the three categories, namely, Phase P - Household Pests, Phase W - Wood Destroying Organisms, and Phase F - Fumigation
• Licensed Structural Pest Control Operator: Individuals with this license type are authorized to provide structural pest control services to members of the public. Structural pest control operators can be licensed in at least one of three phases: Phase P - Household Pests, Phase W - Wood Destroying Organisms, and Phase F - Fumigation. Note that these licenses are only issued to certified applicators who have attained a minimum of two years' work experience in the appropriate phase
• Commercial Ground Applicator: This license is required for individuals who apply any type of pesticides for compensation
• Public Ground Operator: This license is issued to federal, state, county, or municipal employees who apply pesticides as part of their jobs
• Aerial Applicator: This license type is issued to individuals who wish to apply pesticides through the use of planes, helicopters, or UAVs
• Private Pesticide Applicator: This is required for farmers or their employees who apply restricted-use pesticides for agricultural purposes on land that they own or lease
• Pesticide Dealers: This license is required for individuals who wish to sell, distribute, hold, or make restricted-use pesticides available for use to end users
• Pest Control Consultants: This license is required for individuals who offer or supply technical advice, supervision, or recommendations on the use of pesticides. Note that this license type can only be obtained by individuals who hold a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in a biological or agricultural science and also have specific coursework relevant to the area of consultation

Exterminators who wish to obtain any of the licenses are typically required to meet certain eligibility requirements, which include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Completing a training program or relevant certification courses
• Passing a core examination as well as any applicable certification examinations
• Providing proof of adequate educational or work-related experience, where applicable
• Paying all stipulated fees
• Providing proof of adequate insurance coverage
• Submitting any relevant documentation that may be required at the time of the license application

Applications for examinations and licenses can be made by completing the appropriate structural pest control, pesticide exam, or pesticide license application forms and submitting these completed forms, along with all necessary fees and documentation, to the NCDA&CS via the submission channels indicated on the respective forms.

Queries related to the NCDA&CS's licensing and certification process for exterminators can be directed to the department's Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division at (919) 733-6100 and (919) 733-3556.

Confirming that the NCDA&CS has properly licensed your intended exterminator is crucial to ensure you receive satisfactory pest control services. You can do this online via the License Search platform that the department maintains and makes accessible to members of the public for this purpose.

It is important to note that, per the provisions of the state's Structural Pest Control Law and Pesticide Law of 1971, providing pest control and pesticide-related services in Charlotte without proper licensing or certification is considered a Class 2 Misdemeanor. In addition to the statutory punishments for this offense, offenders can receive civil penalties of up to $2,000.

Are You Registered with the North Carolina State Pest Control Association?

In addition to licensing and certification, membership with the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) is an important criterion to consider when looking for professional pest control services in Charlotte.

The NCPMA is the leading pest control association in the city and across the State of North Carolina, and exterminators that belong to this association typically have access to relevant education and training resources on the latest pest control methods and technologies. This training and education, as well as the high standards that the association holds its members to, results in exterminators who are generally more experienced and skilled than their counterparts who are not association members.

You can find exterminators in Charlotte who are active members of the NCPMA online via its Find a Professional platform. Note that some exterminators in Charlotte may also belong to other reputable pest control associations, such as the National Pest Management Association, to gain access to additional pest control-related resources.

Always verify claims of pest control association membership made by any exterminator you intend to hire and confirm that they hold valid licenses issued by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS).

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

You should always find out how much your preferred exterminators charge for their services before you reach any final agreements with them. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, exterminators in the Charlotte area earn estimated wages of $18.41 per hour. However, several other factors will determine the actual cost of your requested pest control services, such as:

• The pest type
• The size of the infested area
• The level of infestation
• The type of pest control method to be used
• The frequency of required pest treatments
• Your location within the city

It is advisable to get cost estimates from several exterminators in the city and compare these estimates before making your final hiring choice. Doing this helps you get an idea of the going rates for your required pest control service within your vicinity and also ensures that you do not end up being bilked by unscrupulous exterminators.

Note that professional exterminators will usually require an inspection of your home or the infested area before coming up with their estimates, and you may be charged separately for these inspections.

Pest control workers in Charlotte earn an average annual wage of $38,290. 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 North Carolina and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with Charlotte Regulations for Pesticide Application?

Several laws, regulations, and rules govern the use of pesticides, the actions of exterminators, and other pesticide-related activities within Charlotte. These include, but are not limited to, the North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971, the North Carolina Structural Pest Control Law, Title 02 of the North Carolina Administrative Code, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

Hiring an exterminator familiar with these regulations ensures that your pest problems are handled satisfactorily and within the confines of the law.

Some key requirements of these pesticide and pest control laws and regulations for pesticide application in Charlotte include:

• Pesticide products to be used, sold, distributed, or offered for sale in the city must be registered with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS).
• Commercial pesticide application and structural pest control work in the city must be done by or under the direct supervision of state-licensed and certified professionals.
• Excess pesticides, pesticide containers, and other pesticide-related wastes must be safely disposed of per the labeling requirements of the product as well as any relevant rules of the North Carolina Commission for Public Health.
• Written proposals detailing the nature and scope of the proposed pest control service must be issued to property owners or their authorized agents before any work involving wood-destroying organisms is commenced.
• The NCDA&CS must be notified at least five days before fumigations are performed on residential structures. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Charlotte Fire Department, and all occupants and paces of business within 10 feet of the residential structure must also be informed before any fumigation is done.
• Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be used during pesticide applications.

You can get additional information or make inquiries concerning pest control and pesticide application laws and regulations in Charlotte by contacting the Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (919) 733-6100 and (919) 733-3556.

Queries on this subject can also be directed to the Charlotte CharMeck311 Customer Contact Center between the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, by calling 311 for callers within Mecklenburg County and (704) 336-7600 for callers outside the county.

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Another crucial criterion determining whether or not your pest problem will be satisfactorily resolved is the type of pest control methods used by your exterminators. Professional exterminators in Charlotte typically implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to effectively manage pest infestations and ensure that already treated infestations do not re-occur.

This IPM approach usually includes a combination of multiple pest control tactics and methods, which include:

• Physical and mechanical control: Physical and mechanical pest control methods utilize tools and equipment like baits, alarms, electromagnetic and ultrasonic emitters, traps, and similar devices to detect, prevent, and eliminate pests in an area. Examples of common devices used for physical and mechanical pest control include MaxMoxie, Pest Soldier, Avantaway, and Authenzo SX-5006.
• Cultural control: Cultural pest control methods involve modifying an area that ultimately makes this area inhospitable or inhabitable to pests. These habitat modifications typically include improving sanitary conditions and creating obstacles blocking target pests from entering the area.
• Biological control: Biological pest control methods utilize organisms like predators and parasites to control or suppress pest growth in an area of interest. An example of this is the use of insects like lacewings to curtail aphid infestations.
• Chemical control: chemical pest control methods utilize pesticides and chemicals that contain active ingredients like fipronil, boric acid, and piperonyl butoxide to rid an area of pest infestations. These chemicals can be hazardous if mishandled, and thus, this particular pest control method is usually only used in situations where the pest infestation has exceeded acceptable threshold limits.

Be wary of exterminators who claim to have a one-size-fits-all approach to pest control, and always find out the specific types of pest control methods that your exterminator intends to use for the job. Note that the most effective combination of pest control methods will largely depend on the nature and scope of your pest problem.

Thus, it is a good idea to get the exterminator to thoroughly inspect the infested areas before recommending any pest control treatments. You can find exterminators in Charlotte who professionally combine the above pest control methods to get optimal results online via the North Carolina Pest Management Association's Find a Professional platform.

The National Pest Management Association and the Better Business Bureau also provide online directories that you can use to find professional exterminators in Charlotte.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Pest control services in Charlotte are broadly grouped into three categories, namely:

• Pest prevention
• Pest removal
• Pest extermination

Pest prevention involves taking steps to forestall pest infestations in an area of interest, while pest removal and extermination involve detecting and getting rid of pests in areas that have already been infested and mitigating the effects of these infestations.

As such, it is essential to determine the types of pest control services that your intended exterminator is equipped to offer and confirm that these services align with your specific pest control needs before concluding any arrangements with them.

Professional exterminators in Charlotte generally provide services that cover a wide range of household pests, such as rats, mice, ants, cockroaches, termites, weevils, bed bugs, and mosquitos. Confirming your intended exterminator's area of specialization ensures you receive satisfactory pest control services and spares you the expense and stress of searching for another exterminator to properly re-do a botched job.

The list below provides estimates for commonly requested pest control services in Charlotte. Note that the actual costs of these services will be determined by factors like the nature and scope of your pest problem, the exterminator's reputation, and your location within the city:

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

Exterminators operating in Charlotte must maintain general liability insurance policies with a minimum single limit coverage of $100,000 for property damage and $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury or a combined single limit of $300,000 per occurrence. Exterminators that run pest control businesses with three or more employees are also mandated to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees.

Ensuring that your exterminators are adequately insured cannot be overstated. Over 2,800 pest control workers across the United States were injured in 2020 alone, with about four of these injuries resulting in fatalities. Hiring an exterminator who is not adequately insured makes you liable if injuries happen in your home while they provide their services. In addition, you may also have to cover the costs of any property damage that occurs during the job.

Therefore, you should always confirm the insurance status of your intended exterminators by requesting copies of their insurance certificates and validating these documents with the appropriate insurance provider. Ensure that the exterminator's premiums are paid up and that their coverage limit is adequate for the scope of the job.

You can get additional information on the general liability insurance requirements for Charlotte exterminators by contacting the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (919) 733-6100 and (919) 733-3556. You can equally contact the North Carolina Industrial Commission at (919) 807-2501, toll-free number (800) 688-8349, or via email to get more information on the mandatory workers' compensation insurance requirement for exterminators that have three or more employees.

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

Although selecting a professional exterminator can be narrowed down by checking off criteria like licensing, certification, reputation, areas of specialization, trade association membership, and pest control methods used, you may still be faced with several qualified choices at the end of the day.

Many homeowners in Charlotte are typically torn between retaining the services of a local exterminator and hiring a more established national pest control company like Orkin, Terminix, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Hawx, Ehrlich, Bulwark, Truly Nolen, Arrow Exterminators, or Viking. When faced with this dilemma, weighing the pros and cons of going with either a local or national pest control company in light of the following aspects can help you make an informed decision:

Pros

Cons