Pest control in Minnesota

What to know about pest control in Minnesota

In Minnesota, the pest calendar runs from tick season in spring and summer to the fall rush of insects looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Companies that control pests in and around homes for hire need a state structural pest control license, and so does each technician they send.

Common pests in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health and University of Minnesota Extension describe these pests as common concerns for homeowners.

• Blacklegged ticks. Also called deer ticks, they cause most tickborne disease in Minnesota, including Lyme disease. See our tick and flea companies.
• Multicolored Asian lady beetles. They cluster on buildings in large numbers each fall looking for a place to spend the winter. Extension says control works only to keep them from getting indoors, so seal gaps before they arrive.
• Boxelder bugs. They are drawn to buildings with a lot of southern or western exposure. They don't usually damage property but can stain surfaces, and once they are inside, removing them by hand or vacuum is the only practical control.
• Carpenter ants. Inside homes, their nests are found in moist or decayed wood from leaks, condensation or poor air flow, such as around tubs, sinks and dishwashers. See ant control companies.

Who licenses pest control companies in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture licenses structural pest control companies and applicators. Technicians start as journeymen and can become masters after two years of licensed work. A structural pest control company must employ at least one licensed master, carry workers compensation insurance and meet financial responsibility rules. Read the structural pest control license requirements, and look up any company or technician with the department's license lookup.

How to check a company before you hire

• Search the company and the technician in the Department of Agriculture license lookup. Technicians must carry a valid license card or printed proof.
• Ask what pest they found and how they plan to treat it, inside and outside.
• For fall invaders like lady beetles and boxelder bugs, ask whether they will seal entry points, since sprays inside the house do little.
• Get the plan, the number of visits and any warranty in writing.
• Read reviews from Minnesota customers before you call, and leave a review when the work is done. Here is how our reviews work.