Hiring Pest Control in Florida: Licenses, Termites and What a Contract Covers

Pest control businesses are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), not by DBPR. A licensed company must have a certified operator in charge, and technicians who come to your home carry a state-issued identification card.

It is reasonable to ask a technician to show that card, and to look the company up with FDACS before signing a contract. This is why pest control listings on Trade Post Local do not show a contractor license badge: that badge only covers DBPR contractor licenses.

• General household pest control covers ants, roaches, spiders and similar insects, usually on a quarterly or every-other-month plan.
• Lawn and ornamental service treats turf and landscape pests such as chinch bugs.
• Termite and other wood-destroying organism (WDO) work is its own category and needs a company certified for it.
• Fumigation (tenting) for drywood termites is a further specialty.

Not every company does all four. Ask which categories the company is certified in.

Florida has both subterranean termites, which live in the soil and enter from below, and drywood termites, which live inside the wood itself. They are treated differently: soil treatments or bait systems for subterranean, and spot treatment or tent fumigation for drywood.

A WDO inspection is commonly required when a home is sold. It reports visible evidence of termites and other wood-destroying organisms on a standard state form; it is not a guarantee that none exist.

• Does it cover subterranean termites, drywood termites, or both? Many cover only one.
• Is it a retreatment-only contract, or does it also pay to repair new termite damage? Repair coverage costs more and is worth more.
• What is the annual renewal fee, and is an annual inspection included?
• Can the contract transfer to a buyer if you sell?

Get two or three quotes, and be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign the same day.