Pest control in Rhode Island

What to know about pest control in Rhode Island

Rhode Island homeowners deal with ticks in wooded and grassy areas and mosquitoes that breed in standing water, along with the usual household pests. Anyone who applies pesticides on other people's property in the state needs a commercial applicator's license from the Department of Environmental Management.

Common pests in Rhode Island

The state Department of Environmental Management, the University of Rhode Island and the CDC describe these pests as concerns in the state.

• Blacklegged ticks. Also called deer ticks, they are widely distributed across the eastern half of the country. They live in woods and in tall grass and shrubs along forest edges, and they can spread Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. See fleas and ticks.
• Lone star ticks. University of Rhode Island researchers say this tick was long confined mostly to Prudence Island but has started to turn up in Jamestown. It does not spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
• Mosquitoes. Rhode Island has dozens of mosquito species. Several that spread disease breed in standing water around the home, so empty buckets, clear clogged gutters and drain pool covers. See mosquitoes.

Who licenses pest control companies in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management licenses pest control professionals through the pesticides unit of its Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment. Anyone who applies pesticides on other people's property needs a commercial pesticide applicator's license. To get one, the applicator must pass an exam, show proof of insurance and have a letter of employment from their employer. The department's pesticides page explains licensing and lists a phone number for questions, and its agriculture FAQ covers who needs which license.

How to check a company before you hire

1. Ask for the license number of the applicator who will treat your home. Call the department's pesticide program to confirm it.
2. Ask which pest they found and what they saw that shows it.
3. Ask how they plan to treat it, and what you need to do before and after treatment.
4. Get the treatment plan, the cost and any warranty in writing, including follow-up visits.
5. Read reviews from other customers. Compare the companies on this page, and write a review once the work is done. You can also see how reviews work.