For homeowners in Cherokee County and the surrounding areas, this guide explores what to look for when hiring an exterminator, what questions to ask, and how to avoid the most common mistakes homeowners make when comparing pest control companies.
Proper Licensing and Certifications
Before you let anyone spray a single drop of product near your home, verify that they are properly licensed by the state of Georgia. The Georgia Department of Agriculture regulates pest control operators, and any company working in the state must carry the appropriate licenses for the services they provide.
Licensing is the baseline, though. Certifications tell you far more about a company’s commitment to their craft. One of the most respected credentials in the industry is the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) designation, which is awarded by the Entomological Society of America.
Other certifications to look for include specialized training from organizations like Bed Bug Central, GreenTech Heat Solutions for thermal treatment expertise, and membership in state associations such as the Certified Pest Control Operators of Georgia (CPCO). These credentials signal that a company invests in ongoing education rather than relying on outdated methods.
Local Experience and Reputation
There is a meaningful difference between hiring a local, family owned pest control company and calling a national chain. National companies often route your call through a centralized call center where the person answering the phone may be hundreds of miles away and unfamiliar with the specific pest pressures in north Georgia. They may not know that Cherokee County homeowners deal with unique seasonal pest cycles, or that the red clay soil in this region affects how termite treatments are applied.
A locally owned company, on the other hand, typically offers several advantages:
- Direct communication with the owner or experienced technicians who live and work in your community
- Knowledge of local pest behavior including which species are most active in your area and when
- Faster response times since their service territory is focused rather than spread across an entire state
- Personal accountability — when the owner’s name is on the truck, the quality of work tends to reflect that
Understand Their Treatment Approach
Some companies take a one-size-fits-all approach, spraying the same general products on every property regardless of the situation. The best companies conduct a thorough inspection first and then create a customized treatment plan based on what they find.
When evaluating a company’s treatment approach, ask these questions:
- Do they perform a walk-around inspection before recommending a treatment plan?
- Do they treat both the exterior perimeter and interior when needed, or just one?
- What types of products do they use, and are natural or green alternatives available?
- How do they handle follow-up if the initial treatment doesn’t fully resolve the issue?
- Are their technicians trained to identify the specific pest species rather than applying generic treatments?
For homeowners who prefer to minimize chemical exposure, ask whether the company offers a natural or green pest control program. Some providers use products derived from plant oils, minerals, and naturally occurring bacteria that are effective against ants, roaches, spiders, and other common household pests while being safer around children and pets.
Ask About Guarantees and Warranties
A reputable pest control company stands behind its work. Before signing anything, ask specifically about their guarantee and warranty policies. Here’s what to look for:
- Free return visits if pests reappear between scheduled treatments
- Clear warranty terms that spell out what’s covered and for how long
- No additional charges for follow-up treatments within the warranty period
- Written documentation of all guarantees, not just verbal promises
Be cautious of companies that won’t commit to a warranty or that bury exclusions in the fine print. If a company is confident in the quality of its work, they should have no hesitation offering a straightforward guarantee.
Compare Service Frequency Options
Most homeowners benefit from a quarterly pest protection plan rather than calling for one-time treatments only when problems become severe. Quarterly service allows technicians to maintain a consistent barrier around your home, adjust for seasonal pest activity, and catch potential issues early before they become full-blown infestations.
When comparing service options, consider the differences:
- One-time treatments address an immediate problem but offer no ongoing protection — pests often return within weeks or months
- Quarterly protection plans provide four scheduled visits per year with products designed to last up to 90 days, plus free return visits if issues arise between appointments
- Monthly subscriptions spread the cost into smaller, predictable payments and often include a broader range of covered pests
The best value for most homeowners is typically a quarterly plan that covers 15 or more common pests with no long-term contract lock-in. This gives you consistent protection without the commitment anxiety of a multi-year agreement. Ask whether the company guarantees its pricing for 12 months so you aren’t surprised by mid-year rate increases.
Read Reviews and Check References
Online reviews are one of the most reliable ways to evaluate a pest control company before hiring them. Google reviews in particular carry significant weight because they are tied to verified accounts and are difficult to fake at scale.
When reading reviews, pay attention to more than just the star rating. Look for:
- Specifics about the service — reviewers who mention the type of pest treated, the technician’s professionalism, or the effectiveness of the treatment are more informative than generic five-star ratings
- How the company responds — a business that takes time to thoughtfully respond to reviews (both positive and negative) demonstrates that they value customer relationships
- Consistency over time — a company with dozens of reviews spread over several years is generally more trustworthy than one with a sudden burst of perfect scores
- How they handle complaints — no company is perfect, but how they address the occasional issue speaks volumes about their character
Consider Pricing Structure
Price matters, but the cheapest option is rarely the best value. When comparing pest control pricing, watch out for these common pitfalls:
- Hidden fees that aren’t disclosed upfront, such as charges for interior treatments, follow-up visits, or cancellation penalties
- Low introductory rates that jump significantly after the first service
- Per-service billing that ends up costing more annually than a subscription plan
- Long-term contracts that lock you in for years with steep early termination fees
A transparent company will quote you a clear monthly or quarterly price, explain exactly what’s included, and let the quality of their service keep you as a customer rather than a binding contract. Subscription-based pricing models have become popular in the industry because they allow homeowners to budget for pest control with predictable monthly payments rather than large quarterly invoices.
For homeowners who need a more expensive service like thermal bed bug treatment or termite control, ask whether the company offers financing options to help manage the upfront cost.
Why 120 Pest Checks All These Boxes
At 120 Pest, we built our business around the principles outlined in this guide. We are a family owned pest control company based right here in Cherokee County with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Our team holds an ACE certification from the Entomological Society of America, is certified by Bed Bug Central, and is a proud member of the CPCO of Georgia.
We limit our residential pest control service area so we can respond quickly and provide the kind of personal attention that national chains simply cannot match. When you call us, you talk to a real person — not a call center. Our technicians live and work in the same communities they serve, and we back every service with a warranty and free return visits.
With 96 Google reviews at a 4.9-star rating, our track record speaks for itself. We offer quarterly protection plans with no long-term contracts, natural pest control alternatives, and transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Ready to see the difference a local, certified, family owned company can make? Contact us today to schedule an inspection or learn more about our pest protection plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What licenses should a pest control company have in Georgia?
Any pest control company operating in Georgia must be licensed through the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Depending on the services they offer, they may need separate licenses for general pest control, termite treatments, mosquito control, and wood-destroying organism inspections. Always ask to see proof of current licensing before hiring.
What is an ACE certified pest control technician?
ACE stands for Associate Certified Entomologist, a credential awarded by the Entomological Society of America. It requires advanced knowledge of insect biology, pest behavior, and treatment methods. An ACE certification indicates that a technician has gone well beyond basic state licensing requirements and is committed to the science behind effective pest management.
Is a local pest control company better than a national chain?
In most cases, a local company offers advantages that national chains cannot easily replicate. These include direct access to the owner or senior technicians, faster response times, familiarity with local pest pressures and seasonal patterns, and personal accountability. National chains may offer brand recognition, but the actual service is typically delivered by local franchisees with varying levels of quality.
How often should I have my home treated for pests?
For most homes in north Georgia, quarterly treatments provide the best balance of protection and value. Scheduled visits every 90 days maintain a consistent barrier around your property and allow technicians to adjust treatments based on seasonal pest activity. Free return visits between scheduled appointments ensure you’re covered if any issues arise.
What questions should I ask before hiring an exterminator?
Before hiring any pest control company, ask about their licensing and certifications, whether they offer warranties and free return visits, what pests are covered under their plan, how they approach treatment (reactive vs. preventive), and whether they use natural product options. Also ask whether you’ll be locked into a long-term contract and what happens if you’re not satisfied with the results.
How do I know if online reviews for a pest control company are trustworthy?
Focus on Google reviews, which are tied to verified accounts. Look for detailed reviews that mention specific services, consistent ratings over a long period of time, and thoughtful responses from the business to both positive and negative feedback. Be cautious of companies with very few reviews or a sudden influx of generic five-star ratings.
