The Bug Doctor: Adam Villareal, owner and president of Insight Pest Solutions, entomology nerd, and family man. To help demystify the world of bugs, the Bug Doctor answers your questions during our weekly “Ask the Bug Dr.” blog feature. You can submit your bug and pest control inquiries for him on our Facebook page, by tweeting @insightpest, or commenting below.

Our homes are likely our biggest investment.

The thought of creepy crawlies and things going bump in the night is enough to send all but the most hardened homeowner into a panic. There are many DIY products on the market for homeowners to use to control household pests.

There are websites that explain how, where, and why. There are websites that sell professional-grade pest control products. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for homeowners to inspect and treat their own house without the proper equipment, training and extensive knowledge.

In virtually all cases, a professional pest control provider can solve a pest problem more safely and effectively than the homeowner, often at lesser expense. There are currently more than 60,000 pest control companies in the United States. How do you know which company is right for you?

What should I consider when choosing a pest control company? Once you decide that hiring a pro is the right step for you, you should ask the following:

1. Are they easy to reach and responsive? If you call and have to leave a message or have trouble getting a call back, this should be a significant concern. If you are having difficulty in reaching them before you have purchased, how responsive will they be once they have been paid?

2. Ask for a free estimate or an inspection. Be wary of exceedingly low pricing.

3. Ask about their guarantee. Do they offer free retreatments? Do they offer a money back guarantee?

4. Do they use top-quality products? Just like anything else, there are top quality pest control products and cheaper, less effective products. Make sure the company you choose uses the best products available.

5. Ask for local referrals or recent testimonials.

6. Check Yelp, BBB, Angies List, or other online reviews.

7. Are they licensed in your state?

8. Do they belong to any professional associations, such as the NPMA (National Pest Management Association)?

9. Do you feel comfortable with them? Your gut is a tremendous indicator. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If something just doesn’t feel right, go with your gut feeling.

Whether or not you choose to hire a pest control provider depends on many factors. Choosing “the right one” can be intimidating, if you take a controlled, thorough, common sense approach, you can choose a provider that can meet or exceed your expectations, and one that you can grow with.

For more tips on choosing a pest control company, check out these expert tips.

Do you have a question about bugs or pest control? We’d love to hear from you. Let us know on our Facebook page, in the comment section below, or by tweeting @insightpest. You may see the Bug Doctor’s answer to your question in a future post.