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Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in Nashville?

The activities of exterminators and pest control businesses in Nashville are governed by Title 62, Chapter 21 of the Tennessee Code, also referred to as the Tennessee Application of Pesticides Act.

Per the provisions of this Act, pest control companies in the city are required to obtain a pest control charter from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) before offering their services to interested parties. The TDA also offers up to 15 different license categories for eligible exterminators, and each chartered pest control company must have at least one licensee for each category of pesticide-related services it offers. These license categories are:

• Agricultural-Ground Equipment (AGE): this involves controlling agricultural pests by any means except fumigation
• Aquatic Pest Control (APC): this involves controlling aquatic plants and algae through the application of pesticides
• Bird Control (BDC): this involves controlling bird pests through the use of pesticides
• Forest Pest Control (FPC): this involves controlling tree pests and diseases in institutional and non-agricultural locations
• Fumigation-Soil (FUS): this involves the control of agricultural pests found in the soil through the application of a gas, including pesticides that are initially in a solid or liquid state but turn to gas when dispensed
• Fumigation-Structural (FUM): this involves the control of pests through the application of a gas, including pesticides that are initially in a solid or liquid state but turn to gas when dispensed
• General Rodent and Pest Control (GRC): this involves the control of vertebrate and invertebrate pests that invade or are known to invade structures and are not specifically covered by other TDA licensing categories
• Horticultural-Interior (HRI): this involves the control of plant pests and diseases in residential and commercial locations, excluding greenhouses
• Horticulture-Lawn and Turf (HLT): this involves the control of pests and diseases associated with shrubs, trees, lawns, and other turfgrasses
• Pest Control Consultant (PCC): holders of this license can offer pest control consultation services but are not qualified to conduct pest control operations
• Public Health Mosquito Control (PHMC): this involves the management of mosquitoes on public land and public waters
• Weed Control-Right of Way and Industrial (WEC): this involves the use of chemicals generally classified as herbicides to control plants on industrial sites and rights-of-way
• Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO): this involves the control of termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, various wood borers, and decay, regardless of the type or use of structure involved
• Wood Preservatives (WPC): this involves the control of insects, fungi, marine borers, and the effects of weather on wood products that may damage or degrade the wood either at the manufacturing or distribution stage
• Special (SPC): this involves the control of pests in special situations through the use of methods that are not included in the TDA's other license categories

Applications for TDA-issued charters and licenses can be made by mailing an Application for the TN Pest Control Applicator License and Charter Form to the department via any postal address provided at the bottom of the form. Applicants are typically required to meet certain eligibility criteria, which include having acceptable minimum educational or on-the-job experience, passing a licensing examination, providing proof of insurance and bonding, and paying all stipulated fees.

Note that a separate charter is required for each office location where the pest control company operates. Likewise, applicants may be required to complete a separate TDA-administered commercial certification process before being issued certain licenses. Additional information concerning TDA-issued charters, licenses, and certifications can be directed to the department at (615) 837-5148.

Exterminators and pest control companies that operate in Nashville without a charter or an appropriate license can face Class A misdemeanor charges, which are punishable by fines of up to $2,500 and jail time of up to 12 months. You can confirm that your intended exterminator holds a valid charter and an appropriate license for your required pest control service by utilizing the TDA's List of Charter Companies webpage. License and charter verifications can be done by calling (615) 837-5148.

Are You Registered with the Tennessee State Pest Control Association?

When searching for professional exterminators in Nashville, it is a good idea to also look out for membership with reputable trade associations like the Tennessee Pest Control Association (TPCA), the Region 3 Middle Tennessee Pest Control Association, and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

Exterminators who belong to these associations typically have access to educational and training resources that hone their skills and better equip them to handle pest-related matters than non-member exterminators. In addition, these associations also hold member exterminators to high professional standards and offer aggrieved customers an additional channel for mediation in situations where these members do not provide satisfactory pest control services.

You can find professional exterminators in Nashville that are members of the aforementioned pest control associations by utilizing the NPMA's Find a Local Exterminator webpage or by contacting the TPCA and Region 3 MTPCA at (678) 231-3124 and (615) 497-2359 respectively. Always request proof of current membership from exterminators who claim to belong to any of these associations, and also make sure that they possess valid TDA-issued charters and licenses.

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

When getting rid of pests or undertaking other pest-related activities in Nashville, you should always find out how much your preferred exterminator charges for their services before reaching any final agreement with them. The following factors primarily influence the cost of pest control services in Nashville:

• The type of pests causing the damage or problem
• The size of the infested area and the severity of the infestation
• The amount of time and labor needed to provide the required services
• The types of pesticides, chemicals, tools, and other materials needed for the job
• The frequency of the required pest treatments

Note that other factors like your location within the city, accessibility to the infested area, and weather conditions may also influence your exterminator's rates. Nonetheless, it is advisable to get and compare written estimates for your required pest control services from at least the different exterminators or pest control companies before making your hiring choice.

Doing this gives you a fair idea of the going rate for these services and protects you from unscrupulous exterminators who take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners by overcharging for their services. However, this does not mean that you should automatically hire the exterminator with the lowest rates, as you should also consider factors like the exterminator's level of experience and reputation in the city.

Pest control workers in Nashville earn an average annual wage of $38,250. The list below compares the average hourly wages of this category of professionals in the city with those in other parts of the State of Tennessee and other locations across the United States:

Do You Comply with Nashville Regulations for Pesticide Application?

Several laws and regulations govern the use and application of pesticides in Nashville. These include Title 62, Chapter 21 of the Tennessee Code, also known as the Tennessee Application of Pesticides Act, Chapter 0080-09 of the Rules of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

Confirming that your intended exterminator is familiar with these pesticide application regulations and complies with all relevant provisions is crucial in ensuring that you receive satisfactory pest control services. Some requirements of these regulations that affect pest control services in Nashville include:

• The prohibition of pesticide use, application, and other related activities by individuals and businesses that do not possess valid charters and licenses issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture
• The use of proper PPE during fumigation applications
• The proper use and disposal of pesticides per label requirements
• The mandatory registration of pesticides that are distributed, sold, offered for sale, or transported within the city

Violations of these pesticide regulations are considered Class A misdemeanors, and individuals found guilty of these offenses can receive criminal and civil penalties of up to $2,500 in fines and up to 12 months in jail. You can get additional information on pesticide regulations or make specific inquiries concerning the provisions of these regulations that pertain to your required pest control services by contacting the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at (615) 837-5148.

Queries on these matters can also be directed to the Metro Nashville Government Customer Service Center at 311 for callers within Davidson County or (615) 862-5000 for callers outside the county.

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using?

Exterminators in Nashville utilize several types of pest control methods when providing their services, and the effectiveness of these methods usually depends on the types of pests being targeted. These pest control methods can be grouped into four categories, namely:

• Physical pest control methods: this involves using baits, traps, alarms, and other similar devices to detect and get rid of pests in areas of interest. This pest control method is typically used for rodents and other similarly-sized pests. Some common brands used for this pest control method are No See Electronic Mouse Trap. Pest Soldier, MaxMoxie, Neatmaster, and JT Eaton Jawz Plastic Mouse Trap.
• Chemical pest control methods: chemical pest control methods involve using pesticides and other chemical substances to get rid of pests. These are some of the most widespread pest control methods in the city and provide relatively quick and safe results when done by professionals. Common pesticide brands used by exterminators in the city include, but are not limited to, Bonide (BND952) Insect Control Systemic Granules, CimeXa Insecticide Dust, Suspend SC Concentrate, Bifen IT Concentrate, and Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide.
• Cultural pest control methods: this involves making the environment unhospitable or inhabitable to the pests in question through various methodologies, such as improving hygienic conditions and using obstructive landscaping and diversionary elements. While this method can be useful for pest prevention, it is not particularly effective when you already have a pest infestation.
• Biological pest control methods: this method relies on using predators and other living organisms like pathogens and parasites to control the growth and spread of particular pests in an area. For example, lacewings and lady beetles may be introduced into mite, aphid, or ant-infested areas to control the spread of these infestations. Note that the effectiveness of biological pest control methods largely depends on using the right predators to control the pests in the area. Also, there is always the possibility of these predators ending up as pests themselves.

Professional exterminators in Nashville typically combine two or more methods to achieve optimal results. Nonetheless, you should always find out the types of pest control methods that your exterminator plans to use and make sure that these methods are suitable for your specific pest problem.

You can find professional exterminators in Nashville via online directories provided by associations like the Better Business Bureau and the National Pest Management Association or by contacting the Tennessee Pest Control Association at (678) 231-3124.

What Household Pests Do You Control?

You should always find out the types of household pests that your intended exterminator specializes in and the types of pest control services they are equipped to offer before you reach any final hiring agreements with them. Failing to confirm your exterminator's area of specialization before hiring them can result in you receiving unsatisfactory pest control services and ultimately cost you additional dollars in hiring a more suitable exterminator.

Professional exterminators in Nashville typically offer pest control services over various household pests and insects, including rats, mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, ticks, and termites. These pest control services can be grouped into three categories, namely:

• Pest extermination
• Pest removal
• Pest prevention

Pest extermination and pest removal services involve getting rid of pests that have already infested an area, while pest prevention services involve ensuring that pests do not infest an area in the first place.

Cost estimates for commonly requested pest control services in Nashville are listed below. Note that your location in the city and the severity of your pest problem may affect the actual costs of these services:

Do You Carry the Necessary Right Insurance Policy for Exterminators in Nashville?

Per Section 62-21-108 of the Tennessee Code, exterminators in Nashville who wish to obtain charters from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture must maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $250,000 per incident and $500,000 aggregate. These exterminators must also post surety bonds of $10,000 before obtaining these charters.

Note that new pest control companies with exterminators that hold Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO), General Pest and Rodent Control (GRC), Fumigation - Structural (FUM), or Bird Control (BDC) licenses must also provide a $50,000 surety bond. Similarly, pest control companies with exterminators that hold Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO) licenses must maintain additional errors and omissions insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000 per incident and $300,000 aggregate.

Finally, exterminators and pest control companies in Nashville with five or more employees are statutorily required to maintain adequate workers' compensation insurance for these employees.

Hiring an adequately insured exterminator is of utmost importance as this insurance insulates you from liabilities if the exterminator damages your property or sustains any injuries while providing your requested pest control services. In 2020, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 2,820 nonfatal work-related injuries and four fatal work-related injuries amongst pest control workers.

To this end, you should always confirm your intended exterminator's insurance and bonding status by requesting proof of these and contacting the relevant insurance and bond-issuing organizations to verify this proof.

Inquiries concerning the minimum insurance and bonding requirements for Nashville exterminators and pest control companies can be directed to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at (615) 837-5148. Inquiries related to mandatory workers' compensation for exterminators and pest control companies with five or more employees can also be directed at the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development at (615) 532-4812, (800) 332-2667 or via email.

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

Even after reviewing criteria like the exterminator's licensing status, area of specialization, pest control methods, and reputation, selecting qualified exterminators can still seem daunting. At this point, you may find yourself split between hiring a local exterminator and national pest control firms like Orkin, Terminix, Bulwark, Aptive, Mosquito Joe, Arrow Exterminators, Hawx, Ehrlich, Truly Nolen, and Viking. When faced with this decision, weighing the pros and cons of selecting a local or national pest control company based on the following factors can assist you in making an informed decision:

Pros

Cons