Best Pest Control in Wichita, Kansas

Wichita, with an estimated population of 390,591, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas. An aircraft production hub in the 1920s and 30s, Wichita earned the nickname “Air Capital of the World” and, to this day, continues to be a major center of the American aircraft industry with companies including Spirit and Airbus.

Although an industrial hub, the city hosts several universities, museums, theaters, parks, and entertainment venues. The city is also known for being the birthplace of famous restaurants such as Pizza Hut and White Castle, as well as the sporting goods and camping gear retailer Coleman.

Wichita is at the northernmost point of the United States’ humid, subtropical climate zone, with hot, damp summers and cold, dry winters. But colder weather doesn’t stop problem pests from coming into your home. They may be looking for a warm place to ride out the winter and your basement, attic, or gutters might be a great start.

Wichita Pests and Critters

According to a study by the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, “Of the thousands of insect species in Kansas, only a few meet the definition of a true pest—an insect or other animal that attacks crops, food, livestock, or humans.”

Any insect that negatively affects a person’s quality of life can be considered a pest, and the winter season in Wichita sees surges in the population of ants, attic flies, crickets, cockroaches, earwigs, fungus gnats, ground beetles, silverfish, termites, bedbugs, and more. Listed below are some of the most common pests in Wichita, Kansas:

• Ants: Many species of ants are common in Kansas, especially carpenter ants and fire ants. Most ants prefer to establish their colonies outside but will forage and nest indoors. Bear in mind that trying to get rid of ants yourself can make things worse. Over-the-counter sprays and repellents can cause a phenomenon called “budding” in which ants separate from their main nest and start new colonies, thereby exacerbating the infestation.
• Attic flies: Attic flies is a term that encompasses houses flies, blow flies, face flies, and other flying insects that enter homes in the fall and become pests in the winter or spring. They enter through small cracks, vents, and other openings and may accumulate in the hundreds—or even thousands. The best way to prevent them from entering the home is by sealing all possible entry routes.
• Crickets: Kansas has camel (also called “cave”) crickets, which are not really crickets but are most closely related to katydids and grasshoppers. They do not have wings and get their name because of their humped appearance. Even though they may seem like a cause for concern for homeowners, they do not cause damage.
• Cockroaches: There are an estimated 55 species of cockroaches in the United States. Of these, only five are common in homes and buildings in Kansas. Cockroaches can easily infest a home by being brought in through shopping bags, cartons, and through plumbing fixtures, causing a great number of problems. Not only are they repulsive and annoying, but they can also transmit disease as they crawl across surfaces. Cockroaches contaminate food, can cause allergies, and trigger asthma attacks.
• Bed Bugs: The bed bug problem is growing in Wichita. Bed bugs like to make their homes inside of furniture such as mattresses, sofas, and other places where people are commonly sitting. Bed bugs feed at night while people are sleeping, and their saliva can cause swelling and itching. Eliminating bed bugs is not an easy task and requires the owner to hire a professional pest control service.

The most common invasive wildlife species include rodents, raccoons, and squirrels, which crawl into basements and attics, not only causing structural damage, but also posing a danger to humans. Kansas also has a documented problem of bats inside of buildings.

Pest Control Companies in Wichita

When considering pest control companies in Wichita, make sure to verify which different services they offer, making sure they cover not only common pests but also the native wildlife to Kansas.

Some companies offer service contracts and provide a guarantee. If a guarantee is given, be sure to understand its coverage, length of time, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing prevention and management are necessary.

It is also important that you remain an active participant before, during, and after all pest control treatments. This will help you better understand the companies contract and possible guarantee.

The company should not only provide integrated pest management solutions specifically tailored for Wichita’s temperate climate, but also continuously monitor your business or home, and offer detailed documentation of the services offered and completed.

When most people discover a pest problem, they want the problem eliminated immediately.

However, we recommend that you take your time to research and select the company that can best handle your particular situation. Remember to obtain several estimates from prospective pest control professionals; most companies will provide free estimates.

Some questions to keep in mind when hiring a pest control company should be:

• How many years have you been in service?
• Do you use integrated pest management techniques?
• Do you have a certified entomologist on staff?
• How much experience do you have with treating pest problems like mine?
• Are the technicians licensed?
• Can you provide me with a copy of the labels for the pesticides used and the rates at which they will be applied?
• What measures will you take to prevent unnecessary exposures and accidents?

The company should also inspect your home before quoting a final price as well as inquire if children or pets are present in order to adjust their treatment protocol accordingly.   Lastly, they should offer to provide a written inspection report as well as presenting a follow up program that is not based upon a minimum number of visits, but rather upon the current status of the infestation.

Other Things to Consider

Consider hiring a company that uses eco-friendly pest control methods, as they are generally less environmentally damaging and less toxic to non-targeted insects. There are some very effective natural control treatments available and some companies in Kansas offer this type of green pest control.

Make sure to verify that the company is licensed by the Kansas State Department of Agriculture and uses only chemicals that are listed in the United States Government’s list of eco-friendly pesticides. Also, be sure to verify that the company has a business license by the Kansas Structural Pest Control Service with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and that they have certified commercial applicator licenses for each license category in which their business is conducted.

Other agencies that also offer licensing or certifications in Kansas and across the United States include the Kansas Pest Control Association, Environmental Protection Agency, American Mosquito Control Association, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more helpful tips and resources, visit our top 10 best pest control companies page to search, compare, and learn more about your options