Questions to ask an exterminator before you hire

Updated November 10, 2026 · KeystoneProGuide editorial team

Why ask questions at all?

Because pest control is a service you mostly cannot see. Penn State Extension's advice is to ask plenty of questions and make sure you understand the answers, and the National Pesticide Information Center says successful treatment needs communication and cooperation between you and the company. The answers also give you something to compare when quotes differ.

The credential checks (license, category, insurance) are covered in how to choose a pest control company. The questions below come after that.

What should you ask about the pest?

1. What is it, exactly? Correct identification decides the treatment. Penn State lists "What is the correct identification of the pest?" first.
2. Can you show me the pest or the evidence? Penn State suggests asking to be shown the pest, its evidence or its damage.
3. How big is the problem, and where is it coming from? NPIC suggests asking whether the staff can explain the extent of the infestation and the pest's behavior.
4. Does it need treating at all? The EPA says sighting a single pest does not always mean control is needed. A good answer tells you what level of activity would justify treatment.

What should you ask about the treatment?

1. Are there options besides pesticides? Penn State and the EPA both describe integrated pest management, which combines prevention, mechanical and other controls with pesticides used where needed.
2. If pesticides are needed, which ones, and why? Ask for the product names and, as NPIC suggests, their EPA registration numbers, the formulation (gel, spray, dust or bait) and where each will be used.
3. Can I see the label? Penn State says the company must provide pesticide labels on request. For termites, the EPA says that if a product's label does not include directions to control termites and protect the structure, it should not be applied for that purpose.
4. How many visits will it take? For bed bugs, the EPA says to prepare for multiple visits, because very few infestations are controlled with one treatment.
5. How long will it keep working, and what results should I expect? Both are on Penn State's list.

What should you ask about safety?

1. Are there special precautions for children and pets? Penn State lists this question, and the EPA's pet safety advice is to keep pets and children away from treated areas as the label directs.
2. When can we use the treated area again? The EPA says re-entry times vary by product and are on the label, and the applicator should tell you when you may go back in.
3. What should we do to prepare? NPIC suggests writing down any preparation required, such as clearing clutter, emptying kitchen cabinets or keeping pets away.
4. Who will do the work? In Pennsylvania the applicator must be certified, or a registered technician working under a certified applicator. Ask for the name and card number of the person who will treat your home.

What should you ask about the contract?

1. Is this a one-time job or a service plan? NPIC suggests asking whether a long-term contract is required and what it will cost over its whole term.
2. Does it renew automatically, and what does it cost to cancel? Minnesota's Attorney General warns that door-to-door pest control contracts can carry hidden fees, high cancellation fees and automatic renewals, and advises reading the fine print.
3. How can the agreement be cancelled if needed? Penn State suggests asking this once you have chosen.
4. Can I have the estimate in writing? NPIC notes that many companies offer free written estimates.

What should you ask about a termite warranty?

Penn State Extension's termite fact sheet calls replacement of damage after treatment the most difficult part of warranty coverage. The questions it points to:

1. What does the warranty cover? It says a subterranean termite warranty does not cover other wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles.
2. Does it pay for damage, or only for re-treatment? Penn State says to get a damage replacement clause whenever possible.
3. What was found before treatment? It advises a thorough inspection with a detailed account of current and past activity before any treatment.
4. What does renewal cost? It says a yearly fee of 10% of the original price is common.
5. What would void it? It says companies limit their liability where soil next to the foundation has been disturbed or additions were not treated.

The National Pest Management Association, the industry's trade body, gives a similar list in its tips for consumers: what the guarantee covers, how long it lasts and what you must do to keep it in force.

What should you keep a record of?

NPIC suggests noting the company's contact details, the names of the people who did the work, the dates and times of each visit, and the products used with their EPA registration numbers. The state regulation already requires the business to keep a record of every application, including the product, its EPA number, the amount and the applicator's certification number, for 3 years. Asking for those details at each visit means you have them if a doctor or veterinarian ever needs to know what was used.

What happens on the visit itself is in what to expect, and typical prices are in the cost guide.

Sources

1. Choosing a Qualified Pest Management or Lawn Care Company, Penn State Extension
2. Selecting a Pest Control Company, National Pesticide Information Center
3. Termites: How to Identify and Control Them, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
5. Eastern Subterranean Termites, Penn State Extension
6. Find Local Exterminators: tips on finding a pest control professional, National Pest Management Association (trade association)
7. Hiring a Pest Management Professional for Bed Bugs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
8. 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128. Pesticides, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Code)
9. SCAM STOPPER: Attorney General Ellison warns Minnesotans about door-to-door pest-control scams, Minnesota Attorney General's Office
10. Read the Label First: Protect Your Pets, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency