Pest control is sold in two very different ways: as a one-off treatment for a specific problem, and as an ongoing prevention contract. Which one you actually need depends on the pest, and the difference in cost over a few years is significant.
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Ask specifically what happens if the pests come back, since this is where contracts differ most. Confirm the treatment plan, how many visits are included, what products are used and what preparation you need to do, particularly for bed bug work where preparation is extensive.
It depends heavily on the pest and on your circumstances. A single wasp nest, a one-off ant trail or an isolated rodent are usually resolved with a targeted treatment, and a recurring contract for that is money spent on a problem you no longer have. Recurring programs earn their cost where there is genuine ongoing pressure: properties bordering woodland or water, homes with a history of termite activity, warm climates with year-round insect activity, or anywhere previous one-off treatments have failed to hold. Read what a program actually includes, because the valuable part is usually unlimited re-treatment between scheduled visits rather than the visits themselves. Be wary of being sold a multi-year agreement for a problem that a single visit would settle, and ask directly what happens if you cancel partway through.
An annual inspection is the common recommendation in regions with termite pressure, and it is one of the better-value preventive expenses available to a homeowner. Termite damage develops slowly and almost entirely out of sight, frequently inside wall cavities and structural timber, and by the time it is visible the repair cost can be very substantial and is generally excluded from homeowner insurance policies as a maintenance issue. Annual inspections are also commonly required to keep a termite warranty or bond in force, so lapsing can cost you coverage as well as early detection. If you are buying a home in a termite region, a dedicated termite inspection separate from the general home inspection is worth commissioning, since the general inspection is not designed to find it.
Modern professional products applied correctly are formulated for use in occupied homes, but safe application depends on following the specific instructions for the product used, which is a large part of what you are paying a licensed applicator for. Expect to be told to keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they have dried, typically a matter of hours, and to remove or cover pet bowls, aquariums and food preparation surfaces beforehand. Some treatments, particularly for bed bugs and some fumigation work, require vacating for a defined period. Tell the company in advance about pets, aquariums, pregnancy or anyone with respiratory sensitivities, since it genuinely affects product selection and method. A company that cannot explain what it is applying and what precautions apply is one to avoid.
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