Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for pest control companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Bell Pest Control, the best way to keep clients happy is to provide them with old-school values and service with a smile. “My late father, Dale Bell, started this company in 1978 because he wanted to take care of homeowners by providing them with high-quality pest control service, and we’ve been building on that premise ever since,” says Marketing Manager Scott Bell. “We’re very proud of our family history and we look forward to making our customers’ homes as safe and comfortable as possible.”

Bell Pest Control provides a wide range of pest control services for residential clients in Sacramento, Solano, Placer, El Dorado and Stanislaus Counties. The family-owned and operated company has the training and equipment to remove all types of pests from its customers’ properties, from ants and cockroaches to wasps and rodents.

Unlike less experienced pest control companies that provide their employees with minimal training in an effort to reduce their operating costs, Bell Pest Control prioritizes ongoing industry education for all of its technicians. “Pest control companies need to be licensed to apply certain materials, and because of that, we have to know how to effectively apply those materials while adhering to industry guidelines,” explains Mr. Bell. “Instead of guessing during a job, our technicians are taught exactly what to do in every situation, so they really know how to take care of our clients’ needs.”

Ultimately, Mr. Bell sees Bell Pest Control’s consistency and dedication to customer satisfaction as its most important attributes. “We take the time to make sure our clients are happy, and that separates us from many companies in this industry,” he says. “Our customers know they’re going to receive consistently first-rate service from everyone who works here, from our office staff to our technicians. Through excellent training, quality service and careful follow-through, we’re able to ensure their long-term satisfaction.”

If you have a pest infestation in your home, don’t underestimate the importance of leaving it to a professional.

By taking their own measures to combat pest infestations, some homeowners think they’re supplementing the treatment of a pest control company. However, these independent efforts can actually be counterproductive in the long run. Even if you think you’re helping, if you use the wrong products and methods, you can actually detract from the efficiency of a pest control company’s treatment.

There are several instances where your efforts to improve a pest control company’s treatments can backfire. For example, many pest control companies will use bait for ant infestations because they want the ants to bring the bait back to their nest. However, if you see a trail of ants and spray them with pesticide, the ants will be scared off and avoid that area, which defeats the purpose of putting down bait to begin with.

When it comes to treating your home for pests, it’s important to work with a trained, knowledgeable professional. “Every pest control material has different uses, mixtures and application methods, so if somebody isn’t trained on the materials they’re using, they won’t be able to deliver quality service,” cautions Scott Bell, marketing manager of Bell Pest Control in Elk Grove. “That’s why it’s important to hire a company that employs technicians who are fully trained to use, mix and apply chemicals according to label laws.”

However, this isn’t as easy as hiring any licensed pest control company. Even though companies are operated under the licenses of the owners or other certified professionals, the technicians those companies send out may not be individually licensed, and training methods and amounts vary by company. Instead, experts recommend interviewing several local companies and asking specific questions, including the following:

• Will the company owner provide the service or will it be an employee?
• Is the technician individually licensed for pest control chemical application? If not, what kind of training do they have? How long have they been working in the industry?
• Does the company guarantee that the work will be done safely and effectively?

Q: What is included with your initial service?

A: First, we’ll do a comprehensive survey of your home so we can determine the type of work that you need. This process can take up to four hours to complete, so we ask that you vacate your home so we can survey it properly. After we’re done, we’ll let you know what we found and which services we recommend.

Q: How long will it take to treat my home for pests?

A: The average time for treatment is 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the property.

Q: Do I need to be home during the treatment?

A: No, as long as we have access to your home, you don’t need to be there.

Q: Can my pets be around while my house is being treated?

A: Yes. We’ll move any food dishes or water bowls out of the way to abide by pesticide regulations and keep your pets safe.

Q: Will you come back if there’s a reinfestation?

A: Yes. We’re required to follow label laws, and some labels say we can’t reapply the chemicals for seven to 10 days, but we’ll come back and make things right as soon as possible. If you’re not totally satisfied with our work, we’ll perform a retreatment at no extra charge.

Q: Will rain make my exterior pest treatment less effective?

A: Actually, rain will increase the effectiveness of your treatment. One of the materials we use is activated by contact with water, so when it’s soaked up by the soil during a rainstorm, it helps prevent pests from moving in.

Q: Are your technicians trained and knowledgeable about the materials they use?

A: This is an important question because every material has different uses and application methods, so if someone isn’t trained to use it correctly, they won’t be able to deliver the proper service. Our technicians are fully trained to use, mix and apply all the materials we use, so you can be assured you’re getting safe, effective service.