Spring is termite time once more. In order to ensure your property is free of termite issues, an annual conversation with your Brevard County pest control service is a must. In fact, most mortgage lenders and homeowners’ insurance policies require annual treatment to protect both their investment as well as your home from damage.

After all, termites do over five billion dollars’ worth of damage each year in the US alone. They cause more damage to US homes than earthquakes, fires and tornadoes combined. That’s an impressive résumé for a little insect!

You need an equally impressive termite control company to battle this worthy adversary and to protect your home from expensive damage. Choosing the right company to guard and defend your largest investment is critical to success. Here are a few things to check when choosing your termite control specialists:

Licensure

Make sure you’re choosing a pest control company that is licensed in your state. That license needs to be up to date and it’s something you can check on yourself. The following comes from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website:

The practice of commercial pest control in Florida is strictly regulated under the provisions of the Structural Pest Control Act, Chapter 482, Florida Statutes (F.S.). This law is administered and enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Ask what the company’s licensure covers and verify that it will meet your needs.

Reputation

A good reputation is earned by good service. Ask around for recommendations to quality pest control companies. Check with trusted family members, friends and coworkers. Sure, check online too but beware of online reviews.

Too many unscrupulous people use sites like Yelp to bad-mouth their competitors or plump up their own ratings. You can’t always believe what you read. Look to the national sites with long-standing records of honest and unbiased evaluations like the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List.

Green Methods

Whenever possible and pragmatic, be a good steward of the earth for the next generation. Using green pest control methods will help protect the planet your children inherit and they usually just make sense, too. Green pest control practices like exclusion and integrated pest management help keep pests out of your home before they ever reach the level of an infestation. Isn’t that better than treating a problem after the fact with harsh chemicals?

When termite time rolls around this year or any year, you’ll be prepared to find the right company to protect your home.