Get Quotes from Top Pest Control Companies in Jacksonville, FL

Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Jacksonville?

In Jacksonville, pest control professionals do not need a locally-issued occupational license to provide their services to interested persons. However, per state law, each pest control business location must be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

The owner of a pest control business must also carry the required insurance coverage for $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $250,000 per occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate for property damage, or combined single limit coverage of $500,000 in the aggregate, and employ a full-time Florida-certified operator in charge of the pest control operations at the business location.

Before hiring a pest control company or professional in Jacksonville, ensure they have obtained the necessary license and certificate of operation. Members of the public can confirm a pest control business or professional license status by utilizing the state's pest control public database search portal. Note that reputable pest control professionals will have both a business license and certificate.

To obtain a pest control business license, applicants must submit a completed pest control business application form, alongside a completed certificate of insurance, a completed employee identification card application for each employee and the certified operator in charge of the business, and the appropriate license fee to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at:

In addition to obtaining a pest control business license allowing them to operate as a business entity in the state, anyone who intends to practice as a pest control specialist must also obtain the appropriate pest control operator certificate before providing their services to members of the public. Interested persons can obtain a pest control operator certificate in the following areas:

• General Household Pest and Rodent Control,
• Termite and Other Wood-Destroying Organisms Control,
• Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control, or
• Fumigation.

To obtain any of the certificates above, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and sit and pass the written examinations administered by FDACS. Note that only individuals that meet the FDACS experience requirements will be allowed to take the certification examination. Applicants can apply to take the pest control operator certification exam online or by mailing a completed application form to:

For more information concerning the process and requirements for obtaining a pest control business license and a pest control operator certificate, contact the FDACS at (850) 617-7997 or email the Department.

Besides pest control business license and pest control operator certificate, professionals who apply or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides must also be certified as private or commercial applicators based on Federal Certification Standards. This certification is handled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

To obtain a private applicator certification, applicants must demonstrate a practical understanding of agricultural pest problems and treatment strategies and correct pesticide storage, use, handling, and disposal before getting certified. To obtain a commercial applicator certificate, on the other hand, applicants must show that they understand basic pesticide use and safety, as well as at least one specialty application area.

Applicants can contact the EPA through email or fill out this online form for more information on Federal Certification Standards.

Are You Registered with the Florida State Pest Control Association?

When considering hiring an exterminator in Jacksonville, it is crucial to check if the professional is a member of a state pest control association. Most Jacksonville exterminators are members of the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA), a statewide association representing the pest control industry and protecting Floridians for over 70 years.

Exterminators who are members of the FPMA have access to extensive training, research solutions, industry updates, and multiple networking opportunities. As a result, hiring an exterminator who is a member of the FPMA means you are dealing with professionals who deliver quality services and who provide these services by maintaining a high level of professionalism.

In addition to FPMA membership, exterminators can join other pest control-related associations, such as the Certified Pest-Control Operators (CPCO) in Florida. The CPCO was founded to represent the individual certified pest-control operator, irrespective of the size of the company they worked in or owned. Members of the CPCO also have access to technical training, special seminars, and state-mandated continuing education units (CEUs), which equips them with the requisite knowledge for carrying out pest control services.

How Much Do You Charge for Pest Control Services and Why?

The cost of a pest control service in Jacksonville is determined by factors like the size of the affected area, the type of structure to be treated, the type of pest treatment to be used, and the number of pest treatments required. Depending on the factors mentioned earlier, pest control professionals may charge different rates for their services.

However, it is essential to note that unscrupulous individuals often charge more than what is required for a pest control service. As a result, it is wise to seek the opinion of more than one pest control professional whenever you need a pest control service.

You should consult at least three different pest control providers in the city about the required service. Furthermore, you should request that each pest control professional offer an estimate for the service and compare them. By comparing these estimates, you can determine the actual cost of the pest treatment.

Pest control workers in Jacksonville earn an average annual wage of $37,980. The list below compares the average hourly wages of this category of professionals in the city with those in other parts of the State of Florida and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with Jacksonville Regulations for Pesticide Application?

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is responsible for regulating pest control professionals and the use of pesticides across the state of Florida. Anyone intending to engage in pesticide use must comply with the established standards in the state. Some of these standards include mandatory registration of pesticides distributed, sold, or offered for sale in Florida with the Department and use of pesticides following label directions.

Note that the use of any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label is prohibited under Section 487.031 (10), Florida Statutes.

Before allowing a pest control professional to spray pesticide in your home, you should ask if the brand of product they intend to use is registered. You can confirm if the brand of pesticide is registered by utilizing the National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (NPIRS) public database. You can search by the EPA registration number, pesticide product brand name, company name, or active ingredient (pesticide).

Pesticide applicators who are unsure if a brand of pesticide requires registration can contact the FDACS at (850) 617-7940.

In addition to the registration of pesticides and the use of these pesticides per the state's regulations, pest control professionals are also required to avoid the use of adulterated or misbranded pesticides and ensure that these chemicals are kept far away from children.

Note that violations of Florida's pest control laws are taken seriously. If anyone is alleged to have practiced pest control in a manner that is not consistent with the state's regulations, the FDACS will evaluate and review the matter to ensure that the appropriate sanction is issued in accordance with Chapter 5E-14, Florida Administrative Code.

For more information concerning the regulations for pesticide application, call the FDACS at 1-(800)435-7352.

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Pest control is typically a three-stage operation that involves identifying the problem, researching the type of pest you are dealing with, and choosing the best pest control method to handle the problem.

Homeowners must understand that failure to accurately determine the best control method to use in case of pest infestation may result in the inability to control the pest and may even cause damage to the target site. Therefore, as a homeowner, it is always in your best interest to hire an experienced and competent pest control professional to rid your home of pests.

The most common pest control methods used by professionals in the city are as follows:

• Organic Pest Control: This relies on the use of natural substances such as spinosad, pyrethrin, neem oil, diatomaceous earth, bacillus thuringiensis, or sulfur in dealing with pest infestation instead of artificial chemicals like pesticides. Organic pest control solutions include:
  • Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control Spray
  • Wondercide All-Purpose Organic Home & Garden Insect Control
  • EcoRaider Ant & Crawling Insect Killer
  • EcoSmart Ant & Roach Killer
  • Verdana Cold-Pressed Organic Neem Oil
  • Essentria IC3

In addition, organic pest control strategies also involve using trap crops, pheromone traps, and the release of beneficial insects.

• Biological Pest Control: This strategy involves the introduction of natural enemies of the pest, such as parasites, pathogens, and predators, to prevent the pest from reproducing and surviving in the target area. A good example of biological strategy is the introduction of Lacewings (Chrysopa spp.), a predatory insect that feeds on or lays eggs in the insects you want to get rid of, reducing their numbers exponentially. While this method is safer than chemicals, it can be counterproductive if a specialist does not handle it. This is particularly important because not getting the biological pest control solution right may lead to introducing invasive species in an area.
• Physical and Mechanical Pest Control: Here, the pest control professional uses physical means and devices to control pests in an area. Common means to control pests include tillage, flaming, flooding, soil solarization, and row covers. At the same time, devices such as screens, fences, barriers, traps, and mulches are used as mechanical solutions to pest problems.
• Chemical Pest Control: Here, chemical pesticides are sprayed to eliminate pests in an area. However, it is essential to note that this method can result in severe health problems if the pesticide is not used properly. As a result, pesticide applications should be left to licensed professionals alone. A licensed pest control professional knows when to apply pesticides and the type of pesticide required for a particular pest infestation. Common chemical pesticides used by exterminators include:
  • CimeXa Insecticide Dust
  • Suspend SC Concentrate
  • Termidor SC Concentrate
  • BioAdvanced 3-in-1 Insect Disease & Mite Control

While hiring someone for pest control is a fantastic idea, homeowners must always ensure that they are hiring an experienced specialist. Checking for reviews and testimonials on pest control companies in Jacksonville on trustworthy third-party websites such as Better Business Bureau can help homeowners identify professionals who understand the pest control approach to use and when and how to utilize the method.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Depending on the problem you are facing in your home, you can receive different types of pest control services from pest control professionals in Jacksonville depending on the problem that you are facing in your home. These services include pest extermination, pest removal, and pest prevention.

Pest extermination is received when an existing pest infestation needs to be taken care of quickly. Similarly, pest removal is received when you need to rid your home of pests, especially larger pests like snakes, raccoons, and opossums. Pest prevention, on the other hand, is received when you want to prevent pests from entering your home.

While most pest control professionals in Jacksonville offer the three types of pest control services, hiring a professional specializing in offering the specific type of pest services you need is wise. This will help ensure that you get the right individual for the job. Nonetheless, you should also ask how much the specialist charges for your needed service. Listed below are pricing estimates for some pest control services in Jacksonville:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Exterminators in Jacksonville?

Any person applying for a pest control operator license or renewal in Jacksonville must furnish the Florida Department of Agriculture with a certificate of insurance that meets the requirements for minimum financial responsibility for bodily injury of at least $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence; and property damage of $250,000 per occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate; or combined single-limit coverage: $500,000 in the aggregate.

Pest control operators who do not meet the above-mentioned insurance requirements will not be licensed, and hiring such a person to rid your home of pests will expose you to several financial liabilities that may result from incompetence and on-the-job accidents that occur while they are working on your premises.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, four fatal and 2,820 nonfatal on-the-job injuries among pest control workers were registered in 2020 alone. It is important to note that these accidents will result in liabilities regardless of how they occurred, and the only way to avoid liabilities is to ensure that your pest control specialist is insured.

You can always ensure that your preferred pest control specialist is covered by requesting proof of insurance and calling the insurance company that issued the certificate to confirm whether or not the professional's insurance coverage is still active. You can also call the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (850) 617-7997 to see if the professional has active insurance coverage.

Choosing Between Local Pest Control Firms and Large National Chains: The Pros and Cons

Homeowners in Jacksonville are frequently torn between choosing a local exterminator and a big company such as Arrow, Aptive, Orkin, and Bulwark whenever they require pest control services. While both options remain viable, it is in your best interest as a homeowner to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a local exterminator or a big pest control company before deciding.

Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a local or national brand.

Pros

Cons