Pest Control vs. Exterminator: What's the Difference & Which Do You Need?

If you have pests or are worried about pests in your home, then you might be looking into pest control in New England.

As you do some research online, you might be asking: What’s the difference between pest control and extermination?

The main difference between pest control and exterminator services is that pest control is primarily focused on the exterior of your home and preventing problems in the first place while extermination is primarily focused on getting rid of an existing problem (or infestation). 

In this article, we’ll dive more into answering that question so that you can make the best decision to keep your home safe from pests.

Pest Control vs Exterminator

Pests are a common occurrence here in the seacoast region of New England. Not only do homeowners commonly find pests in their lawns and around their properties, but they also tend to make their way inside. 

Whether that’s already occurred or you’re just concerned about preventing it, you might be looking at whether or not to hire pest control or an exterminator.

Both types of services can help get rid of pests, but one tends to be more focused on being proactive or preventative.

What’s the difference between pest control and extermination?

As we mentioned at the opening of this article, exterminator services tend to be focused on addressing an existing infestation whereas pest control is typically focused on preventing these problems and getting to the root cause of why they might be happening. Pest control services are often largely focused on the exterior of your home while extermination services are largely focused on the interior.

Exterminator services can also sometimes deal with pests that a pest control expert might not (like larger rodents or small mammals, such as raccoons, that might have invaded an interior space).

Common Pest Problems Faced by New England Homeowners and Who Can Handle Them?

There are many pests that plague our region. Many of these pests eventually make their way into people’s homes in search of food and shelter.

These pests can include some of the following:

• Ants
• Spiders
• Stinging Insects
• Centipedes & Millipedes
• German Cockroaches
• Earwigs
• Crickets
• Silverfish
• Sowbugs
• Pillbugs
• Mice

As far as choosing an exterminator vs. pest control, both services should be able to handle these pests. But because pest control is focused on keeping pests out in the first place, it’s a great way to be proactive.

Some pests that might be better-suited to an exterminator could include a serious infestation of rats or a pest like bed bugs or termites. Exterminators can often also deal with snakes that might have made their way inside.

How Does Pest Control in New England Work?

Because pest control is about keeping pests out of the home in the first place, the treatments are largely focused outside of the home. 

By treating around the perimeter of your home, we can create a shield that keeps many of the pests mentioned above from making their way inside in the first place.

That’s the ultimate solution…to keep pests out. 

After all, you don’t want to give these pests the chance to become a major infestation. The biggest trouble with pests like these is that once they’re comfortable inside of your home, they might begin to quickly multiply. 

In addition to investing in professional pest control, you can also take steps on your own to reduce the likelihood of pests coming inside.

• Seal up cracks: It always makes sense to seal up entry points that pests might be coming in through in the first place. Tears in screens, cracks in the foundation, and other small entry points are all possible spots that should be fixed or sealed if possible. 
  
  
• Dispose of food properly: Cleaning up crumbs and food debris can also make a difference as pests are commonly in search of a meal. Make sure to keep food stored in tight containers. Keep in mind that areas that are close to the home (like a garage) are often the initial entrypoint. If you have any food storage in these areas, keep it sealed up. The same goes for trash cans.

Your diligence can go a long way in keeping unwanted pests out of your home. And when you combine your efforts with professional pest control, you’ll be able to gain even more confidence that you can truly relax.

Choosing Pest Control in Southern New Hampshire, Maine, & Northeastern Massachusetts

Your wise choice in a pest control service can make a huge difference in keeping bugs out of your house in the first place. That could mean that you’re able to avoid extermination services since you are able to avoid an infestation.

At Seacoast Turf Care, serving New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, our pest control services cover most of the common household pests. It also covers mice. 

With effective, quarterly treatments, you can keep many pests out of your home. This is important as sometimes a simple bug problem can become a full-blown infestation if given the chance. Certain pests, like German Cockroaches (as an example), can breed quickly and become a major problem if given the opportunity. 

If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, investing in professional pest control is a wise choice. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life as usual.

Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.