7 Things To Consider When Hiring A Wildlife Control Company

The old adage goes, “You get what you pay for.”  Of course, you don’t want to overpay but the lowest-priced operator may not always be your best choice either.  When considering service providers think about Value and Price – ultimately Quality and Results Matter The Most.  Remember you’re paying for “expertise” which usually translates into results.

In the case of nuisance wildlife or pest control issues, selecting the wrong provider or taking a DIY approach can often exasperate your problem and increase the price.  At Metro Mole Control our specialized focus and use of cost-effective technology make us one of the most valued providers in the Minneapolis-St Paul Metropolitan area.  Unlike many other providers, we also provide no obligation / no-cost property inspections and estimates.

Contracts are meant to indemnify and protect the service provider, not the buyer.  In this industry, it’s commonplace to require lengthy contracts.  Does the nuisance wildlife or pest control company you are considering require a contract?  If a contract is required, what are the details and fine print?  Don’t be surprised if a provider requires a formal contract. 

We don’t hold you hostage to a contract because we always do what’s right to take care of you.  With that said, we clearly spell out our services and obligations.  During our initial inspection, our residential agreements and pricing are well verbalized.  In a follow-up, these items are framed out in a simple email.  Service-related activities are always followed up with a face to face discussion, phone call, text, or email.  We let you decide your preferred method of communication.  Payment options are very flexible and we do not require full payment upfront.  Although incidents are extremely rare, we always do what is right to rectify any customer related concerns.  We strive for complete customer satisfaction! 

Being licensed and insured is a must-have requirement but it’s not always standard operating practice.  There are usually a handful of rogue operators out there.  Avoid these operators at all costs.  First of all, if they are not licensed and insured, then you know they are not representing their business and services in a truly professional fashion.  They are just trying to make a quick buck on the side and may not be following local regulations.  Second, if they get injured on your property, you may be held liable.  Third, and even more important, if traps or some form of poison/pesticide is involved in an incident you may be held liable.  This means liability for ANY physical harm occurring to your family, your neighbor’s family, pets, or the environment.  Your homeowner’s insurance may cover such an incident but it’s never a guarantee.

Hire someone with proper licensing and insurance to protect you and to ensure that they are following local regulations.  Metro Mole Control is permitted by the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Agriculture.  We are also properly insured for both residential and commercial work.  We know how to approach an issue in a safe and effective manner.

If you are making an investment in a nuisance wildlife or pest control company, asking a few questions in the beginning may save you time and stress in the end.  Good customer service from a lot of companies seems to be tough to find these days.  Many companies are disorganized and communication is poor.  That initial conversation is often your first indication of reliability and responsiveness. 

Look for a company with an office manager or an owner-operator who will respond promptly and reasonably.  Along with that, are they up-to-date on technology;  reachable through phone, email, text, or social media, and preferably one that uses specialized scheduling and billing software?  Invest in a company that you can easily communicate with should a question or problem arise. 

Metro Mole Control is an owner-operator based business, we have an office manager and we use inexpensive but effective technology.  Above all, this technology makes us a very efficient organization and a great communicator.

Does the nuisance wildlife or pest control company that you’re considering have a specialized area of expertise?  Is their primary focus on insects, wildlife, or somewhere in the middle?  Or, do they advocate that they can “do it all?”  Experience counts – You wouldn’t consider a general practitioner for open-heart surgery?  It’s almost always in your best interest to find a provider that specializes in your specific problem.

Metro Mole Control’s area of expertise and specialization is in our name.  We focus on moles and other nuisance yard pests like gophers and voles.  We deal with thousands of these pests every year.  Understanding their biology and behaviors has allowed us to develop outstanding techniques and approaches.  We make sound use of this experience and knowledge when evaluating and working on your property.

Will the nuisance wildlife or pest control company you select use the most appropriate equipment for the job?  Equipment can be very extensive between nuisance wildlife and pest control company operators.  You have sprayers, steamers, foggers, dusters, traps, and so much more.  There are many different sizes, brands, and configurations.  Some equipment may be more suited for a specific task than other equipment. 

For example, there are dozens of different types of mole traps on the market.  Many are not very user friendly and most require some degree of strength to properly set.  Some are placed above ground and some are placed below ground.  Some are very dangerous and require unsightly bucket covers scattered throughout your property.  Others are extremely family and pet-friendly.  Depending on your specific soil conditions, some will perform better than others. 

Did you know that there is a certain time of the year where many types of mole traps fail?  Furthermore, there are operators within the Minneapolis-St Paul Metropolitan area that use such equipment rendering their services almost useless during this period.  As experienced professionals, Metro Mole Control will evaluate your specific situation and deploy a safe and effective solution!

Before you settle on a particular company, it is important to view their website and read reviews from other customers.  This will help you know whether the company is able to deliver on what they promise.  Let’s be realistic, a few negative reviews are not uncommon but a pattern of negative reviews should be a big red flag.  Are the reviews independent?  Do the reviews reference a company’s expertise and make mention of your specific problem?

Sometimes online reviews are not enough.  If you are unsure about a company’s reliability, ask them for a reference you can talk to.  A good company will not hesitate to provide you with confirmation of their capabilities.  Metro Mole Control has many favorable references and reviews.  We were selected by Expertise in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 as a top provider in Minnesota.  In their evaluation, Expertise considered over 100 Minnesota based companies on 25 variables across five categories that included;  Reputation, Credibility, Experience, Availability, and Professionalism.  In 2021, the readers of 5 different editions of The Sun Post selected Metro Mole Control as the Sun Media Reader’s Choice Award Winner for the Pest Control category.  And in 2021, 2022, and 2023 we were also a Nextdoor recommended neighborhood favorite.