Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Washington, D.C.?

The activities of exterminators and pest control businesses that operate in Washington, D.C., are regulated by the district's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE).

Per the requirements of Title 20 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, individuals and businesses in the district that wish to offer pest control and other pesticide-related services must be certified and licensed by this department before doing so. Failure to comply with this certification and licensing requirement is considered a civil infraction and can result in jail time of up to 90 days, fines of up to $2,000, or a combination of both.

Interested parties that wish to undergo the DOEE's certification and licensing process may do so by completing and submitting Preliminary Application Forms ES-774 and 775 to the DOEE's Pesticide Program at:

The DOEE provides applicants with the option of applying by examination or by reciprocity. Applicants who choose to apply by examination will have to provide proof of acceptable on-the-job experience or educational qualifications. Likewise, applicants who choose to apply by reciprocity will have to provide a copy of their current pesticide applicator's license issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the state where they received their licensing and certification.

Once the preliminary application forms have been received, reviewed, and approved, applicants will be mailed Basic Business License application forms for Pesticide Operators Licenses and Certified Pesticide Applicators Licenses that carry the DOEE's authorization stamp. These forms must then be completed and submitted to the Business Service Division of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) at:

Note that additional information or documentation may have to be provided when these forms are being submitted. These include:

• A certificate of occupancy for physical business locations in the district
• Proof of tax registration with the district's Office of Tax and Revenue
• Proof of financial security in the form of liability insurance

Finally, once the requested licenses have been issued, applicants must return to the DOEE with these licenses and make arrangements to obtain a photo ID. These photo IDs must be carried by licensed pesticide applicators whenever they apply pesticides, and failing to do this makes the pesticide application illegal.

You can get additional information or direct queries concerning the DOEE's exterminator and pest control business licensing and certification process to its Pesticide Program at (202) 535-2600. You can also verify that your intended exterminator or pest control company has been licensed and certified by this department, either by calling the number above or by utilizing the Pesticide Business/Applicator Search online platform it provides.

Are You Registered with the Washington D.C. Pest Control Association?

When searching for professional pest control services in Washington, D.C., and ensuring that your exterminators are appropriately licensed and certified, you should also look out for membership in reputable trade associations.

There is no local officially endorsed pest control and management trade association in Washington D.C. Regardless, many professional exterminators in the district belong to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the premier pest control association across the country. This association offers several benefits to its members, such as:

• Access to world-class education and certification programs and informative technical resources
• Access to better insurance options and business growth opportunities
• An avenue for a unified voice concerning matters involving pest control regulations and legislature

All these benefits generally lead to more competent and professional exterminators than their non-member counterparts. In addition, the NPMA holds its members to high standards and provides consumers with a channel for mediation if they are unsatisfied with the pest control services that these members render.

You can find member exterminators of the NPMA that operate in Washington, D.C., by accessing the association's online directory. Note that you should always verify claims of NPMA membership made by exterminators in the district and confirm that these exterminators hold valid pesticide licenses and certifications issued by the district's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE).

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

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates pest control workers in the Washington, D.C., area earn an average hourly wage of $21.60. However, several other factors also influence the total cost of retaining the services of exterminators and pest control workers in the district. These factors include:

• The type of pests in your home
• The size of the infested area
• The severity of the pest infestation
• Your specific location within the district
• Accessibility to the pest-infested area
• The number of required pest treatments
• The types of pest control materials and devices that will be used
• The exterminator or pest control company's reputation

It is always a good idea to get and compare rates from at least three different exterminators and pest control companies in the district before making your final hiring decision. This ensures you are charged a fair rate for your required pest control services by helping you spot unscrupulous exterminators and companies that grossly inflate their charges.

You should also be wary of rates that are suspiciously low or seem too good to be true and request an explanation for any marked price differences you notice. Do not hire any exterminator or pest control company that cannot satisfactorily explain why their rates are noticeably different from those of other exterminators and pest control companies in the district.

Pest control workers in Washington, D.C., earn an average annual wage of $44,930. The list below compares the average hourly wages of this category of professionals in the district with those in other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with the Washington, D.C., Regulations for Pesticide Application?

Confirming that your preferred exterminator is conversant with the Washington, D.C., Pesticides Laws and Regulations and follows all relevant provisions is crucial in ensuring that you receive optimal pest control services. Pertinent requirements of these pesticide laws and regulations include:

• All pesticides used, manufactured, sold, distributed, shipped, or applied in the district must be registered with the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
• Exterminators and pest control companies must be licensed and certified by the DOEE before offering any services to members of the public
• Pest control companies that are hired to apply pesticides must provide consumers with their contact information, the name of the person applying the pesticide, and the name and active ingredient of the pesticide to be applied before this pesticide application occurs
• A notice of pesticide application must be provided at least 48 hours before pesticides are applied on multi-unit properties in the district. Owners of these types of properties must also deliver notices to residents or tenants in the property at least 24 hours, and not more than seven days, before the pesticide application
• District agencies, district-owned and occupied properties, schools, and child-occupied facilities must have and implement a DOEE-approved integrated pest management program for pest control activities
• Fire stations close to fumigation sites must be notified before any fumigations are performed

You can contact the Washington D.C. Department of Energy and Environment at (202) 535-2600 for additional information on the district's pesticide laws and regulations and the provisions that may apply to your specific pest control activities. This department can also be contacted via email or in person at:

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Another necessary criterion to check when searching for suitable pest control services in Washington, D.C., is the type of pest control method the exterminator intends to use for the job. Professional exterminators in the district typically use a combination of two or more of the following pest control methods to rid homes of bothersome pests:

• Biological pest control: in biological pest control, a pest's natural enemies are used to stop its growth and spread in a target area. The most common household example is using cats to control rats, mice, and other similar rodents. The major disadvantage of this pest control method is that it largely depends on introducing the right organism into the target area and also requires constant monitoring to ensure that the introduced organisms do not become pests themselves.
• Physical pest control: physical pest control involves using devices and equipment like baits, sprays, traps, mechanical rodent catchers, and ultrasonic or electromagnetic emitters like Pest Soldier and MaxMoxie to control pest infestations in a target area. Physical pest control typically must be combined with another method for optimal effectiveness.
• Cultural pest control: in cultural pest control, habitat modifying techniques, like proper hygiene and sanitation, are used to make target areas inhospitable for pest growth and reproduction. This type of pest control is better suited for pest prevention activities and is not particularly effective in getting rid of existing pest infestations.
• Chemical pest control: chemical pest control uses pesticides and similar chemicals to repel or kill pests in a target area. Examples of these pesticides include Home Pest Control Spray, CimeXa Insecticide Dust, Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide, and 50% Malathion Spray. Note that pesticides can pose health and environmental hazards if mishandled, and this type of pest control should always be done by a professional.

Many professional exterminators in the district implement an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy that combines the aforementioned pest control methods to ensure pest problems are safely and effectively resolved. Nonetheless, you should always confirm the types of pest control methods that will be used for your required pest control service and ensure that these methods are suitable for the job.

You can find professional exterminators in Washington, D.C., who expertly combine pest control methods and implement IPM strategies by accessing online directories from organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the National Pest Management Association.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

Exterminators and pest control companies that operate in Washington, D.C., generally offer services that cover a wide range of household pests, including, but not limited to, roaches, rats, mice, termites, termites, ants, and bed bugs.

Nevertheless, you should always confirm the types of household pests that your preferred exterminators specialize in controlling, as well as the types of pest control services that they offer to avoid any misunderstandings with them down the line. Pest control services offered by exterminators and pest control companies in the district can be grouped into three basic types, namely:

• Pest extermination: this involves dealing with already existing pest infestations.
• Pest removal: the main difference between pest removal and pest extermination is that pest removal mostly focuses on pests like rats and mice that hide in nooks and crannies of homes. This service typically requires the use of baits and traps to catch these pests and may require multiple visits from the exterminator before the target pests are caught and removed.
• Pest prevention: this involves taking measures to prevent pests from entering and infesting your home in the first place.

Once you have confirmed that your preferred exterminator is equipped to offer your required pest control service, you should also find out how much you will be required to pay for these services and agree on these rates before any pest control work commences.

The estimated costs of some common pest control services offered by exterminators and pest control companies in Washington, D.C., are listed below. It should be noted variables like the nature and severity of your pest problem, as well as your specific location within the district, may affect the actual cost of these services:

Do You Carry the Necessary Right Insurance Policy for Exterminators in Washington, D.C.?

Per the requirements of the Washington D.C. Department of Energy and Environment, exterminators and pest control companies that operate in the district must carry liability insurance with the following minimum coverage limits:

• $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury
• $15,000 per occurrence and $30,000 aggregate for property damage

In addition, these exterminators and pest control companies are also required to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. It is always in your best interest to confirm the insurance status of your preferred exterminators before concluding any hiring agreements with them. Failing to do this exposes you to legal and financial liabilities if any work-related injuries or property damage occurs when your requested pest control services are being provided.

To this end, always ask any exterminator you are considering hiring to provide you with a copy of their insurance certificate and contact the appropriate issuing insurance company to authenticate it. You can also contact the district's Department of Energy and Environment and its Office of Workers' Compensation at (202) 535-2600 and (202) 671-1000, respectively, to get additional information on the mandatory insurance requirements for Washington D.C. exterminators and pest control companies.

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

Reviewing criteria like an exterminator's licensing and certification status, area of specialization, pest control methods, reputation, and membership with a trade association can help narrow down your hiring choices when searching for professional pest control services in Washington, D.C.

Nevertheless, you may still end up with several qualified options to choose from. At this stage, many homeowners and property managers in the district are faced with the choice of hiring a local exterminator or a nationally-known pest control company like Orkin, Terminix, Bulwark, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Arrow Exterminators, Hawx, Ehrlich, Truly Nolen, and Viking. When faced with this choice, you may make an informed selection by assessing the pros and cons of hiring a local or national pest control business based on the following variables:

Pros

Cons