Best Pest Control in South Carolina
Although South Carolina only ranks as the 40th largest state in the country, its population size ranks 23rd, making it pretty densely populated. With old historic districts, beaches, and golf courses, many tourists love visiting this state as well. One thing that everyone can agree on is that bugs and pests abound.
With a warm and humid summer climate, South Carolina is home to hundreds of species of insects and pests. Most are pretty harmless, but they can be downright irritating. However, there are also a few that can cause serious damage to your home or are dangerous to your health.
Professional exterminators know just how to handle common household pests and will keep you and your loved ones protected and pest-free.
With hundreds of companies offering services in the state, it can be challenging to know who to trust. Before you start the hunt, there are a few things you should know. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the Table of Contents to skip ahead.
Table of Contents
Most Common Pests in South Carolina
Ants
Bed Bugs
Beetles
Fleas & Ticks
Mosquitoes
Spiders
Bees, Wasps, & Hornets
Termites
Average Cost of Pest Control in South Carolina
Types of Pest Control Treatment
How to Find the Best Pest Control in South Carolina
FAQs about Pest Control in South Carolina
1. What should I expect from a pest control company?
2. What is included in a pest control plan?
3. How often should I have pest control treat my house?
4. How long does pest control last?
5. Can I do my own pest control?
6. Is it Safe to be in my house after pest control?
Most Common Pests in South Carolina
As a coastal state, South Carolina has a wide variety of insect life. Let’s take a look at the most common pests you’ll find in this state and what kinds of problems you’ll face from them.
Ants
Ants are everywhere, and it’s really annoying to see them crawling along your baseboards or countertops. Like the pavement ants prevalent in South Carolina, most only bite to defend themselves and leave a sore spot on your skin. However, the state is also home to fire ants and carpenter ants. Fire ants have a painful bite, and carpenter ants can cause structural damage to your home. Fortunately, most pest control companies can efficiently deal with these pests.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are more prevalent in densely populated areas and tourist towns, such as Charleston, SC, but can be found all over the United States. These tiny bugs leave itchy or painful bites on your skin in the middle of the night. They can quickly infest your bedroom and spread to other rooms in the house if you don’t treat for them quickly. They’re also challenging to get rid of once you have them. Bed bug treatments can get pretty expensive, depending on the severity of the infestation, and can sometimes cost over $2,000! These treatments are add-ons to a standard pest control plan.
Beetles
There are many types of beetles native to South Carolina. These include elm leaf beetles, long-horned beetles, bark beetles, and more. These species are usually found on the western side of the state, as they’re usually found in outdoor areas like firewood piles and trees. Most won’t cause any damage or harm, but nobody likes to see these ugly creatures in their homes. Luckily, these insects are usually included in your basic pest control policy.
Fleas & Ticks
With a warm, humid climate, fleas and ticks are both found in South Carolina. Fleas like to pester your pets and are hard to get rid of, but they’re more of an annoyance than a danger. Ticks are dangerous, though, and they can spread disease, so it’s important to watch out for them. They’re more active during the fall, and they won’t discriminate between animals and humans. Make sure to talk to a pest control professional if you’ve noticed these in your yard or around your home.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes also love the warm, humid environment in South Carolina. These pesky fliers cause itchy bites for everyone and could cause huge red welts for those that are allergic. While this is irritating, it’s not the worst thing about these insects. Mosquitoes feed on human blood, so when they bite, they can infect with a transmittable disease picked up from a previous host. West Nile and Zika are both dangerous viruses that can be transmitted through a mosquito bite. While you’ll want pest control to help you manage them, you can also help reduce their breeding grounds by getting rid of any standing water that you may have in your house or yard.
Spiders
Spiders are very prevalent in this state. There are plenty of harmless species, although they’re still super creepy. But, South Carolina is also home to two very dangerous species. Both Black Widow spiders and Brown Recluses are residents here, and a bite from either could cause severe injury or death. They’re often found in attics or dark corners of your house and are hard to spot. It’s important to have preventative measures in place, and a good quality pest control company can help you with that.
Bees, Wasps, & Hornets
South Carolina is also home to many types of hornets, wasps, and bees. Honey bees only sting when they feel threatened and are beneficial to the environment, so it’s best just to leave them alone. If they’re a problem near your home, you can have them relocated. On the other hand, hornets and wasps are very aggressive and have painful stings. Pest control companies can help remove nests or hives and protect potential areas where these insects might like to reside.
Termites
Termites love South Carolina’s warm weather. They also love eating through wood and drywall, causing extensive structural damage to your home if left unchecked. You can expect to pay thousands of dollars in damages if you have an infestation. On top of that, termite treatments for severe infestations will cost you a pretty penny too. The best thing to do is hire a pest control company to inspect your home and apply preventative treatments. This is an add-on service to your basic pest control, but it’s well worth the cost.
Average Cost of Pest Control in South Carolina
In South Carolina, you can expect to pay around $700 for an annual plan that includes quarterly visits. The cost per treatment visit will be anywhere from $60 to $450, depending on your issues and how often the company is coming out.
Of course, bed bugs and termites require additional treatments that aren’t usually covered in standard plans. These could cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the severity of the infestation.
The average cost of pest control is pretty even throughout the United States. There are various factors that contribute to the cost of your plan, such as the size of your home, type of pest problems, whether you’re applying preventative treatments or treating an issue and more.
Types of Pest Control Treatment in South Carolina
Pest control treatments come in many different forms.
Hygiene – One preventative treatment that you can take care of yourself is keeping your house clean. Poor hygiene will attract pests of all kinds, so keeping your home clean and tidy will help keep the pests away.
Chemicals – The most common type of pest control is chemical sprays that create a liquid barrier around your house and any potential entrances.
Bait Traps – Bait traps are also pretty common and lure in pests to be captured and relocated or killed.
Others – More intense treatments include things like fumigation and extreme heating. Some companies also employ biological pest control by introducing pests’ natural enemies, such as bacteria and fungi, to your yard.
The best type of treatment for your home will depend on your location and the pests that frequent the area. Consult with a pest control company to figure out what will work best.
How to Find the Best Pest Control in South Carolina
Now that you’ve got an idea of what types of pests are common in the state, walk around your house and yard and see what kinds you spot. You may not notice everything, but having a good idea of the type of pest you need treatment for will help you figure out what type of company you can use.
For example, if you have termites, bed bugs, or rodents, you’ll need a specialized company to deal with them. If you only see ants, mosquitoes, beetles, and more common pests, you’ll have a lot more options.
It’s always best to compare plans and prices with at least three different companies. Make sure that whichever company you use is licensed, bonded, and insured. You’ll also want to ask them what they guarantee and if they offer any discounts. Make sure that you know what their contract terms are as well.
In South Carolina, the top three national companies are Orkin, Terminix, and TruGreen. Regional companies that you might want to look into are Modern Exterminating Company and Palmetto Exterminators, Inc.
Here at Pest Brigade, we’ll do the work for you. We’ll show you different types of pest control strategies that you can try yourself or get you connected with local exterminators.
FAQs about Pest Control in South Carolina
1. What should I expect from a pest control company?
It’s nice to find a company that offers a free consultation to inspect your home and let you know what type of pest control plan you need. This initial inspection will help the company determine your problem areas and how they can handle both prevention and treatment. Once this is out of the way, they’ll inform you of the plan and the costs associated with it. If you agree, you’ll get your first treatment. After that, you’ll likely get treatments monthly or quarterly.
2. What is included in a pest control plan?
Basic pest control plans include treatment and prevention for the most common household pests. You’ll agree on the number of visits per year, but most companies will send someone out to retreat for free if you have a problem between visits. There are also add-on treatments that you can do if you choose. Depending on the company’s policies and your preference, these can be rolled into the plan’s cost or paid for at the time of service.
3. How often should I have pest control treat my house?
This is really up to you. The more often you have a treatment, such as a monthly one, the fewer pests you’ll have to deal with overall. These plans also usually cost less, as the company won’t need to use as much chemical each visit as they would if you waited longer. Ask the company what they recommend, as they’ll know how often is best based on your treatment type.
4. How long does pest control last?
It’s impossible to put a definite number on how long a treatment will last. It varies based on many factors, including the type of chemical used, the severity of the infestation, and the weather. Your exterminator will let you know how often they think you should go between treatments.
5. Can I do my own pest control?
While it is possible to do your own pest control, it’s usually less effective than having a professional do it. They know which chemicals are best, where to treat your house, and have access to pesticides you can’t buy yourself. Not only that but there are risks involved with doing it yourself. You could end up with respiratory issues or pesticide poisoning if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why it’s usually best to hire a company that can take care of it for you.
6. Is it safe to be in my house after pest control?
Typically, you’ll want to stay out of your house for 2-4 hours after treatment. However, ask your pest control service what they recommend. These days, most chemicals are safe for pets and kids, and you won’t necessarily have to leave your house at all.
However, if you’re getting treatment for bed bugs or a severe infestation of some sort, you may require fumigation or other methods, which will require you to stay away for 24 hours.
At Pest Brigade, we understand how important it is to find a good quality pest control company fast. To be sure you get the most effective and affordable plan, call Pest Brigade at (833) 431-0401 and get a quote today!
