How the process works
Good pest control is methodical: identify the pest, understand why it’s there, choose the right treatment and prevent it from coming back. Here’s what to expect at each step — and how to check that the company doing the work is properly registered.
Step by step
- Your call. You call and tell us the pest, the property type and your ZIP code. Pest in LA connects you with an independent pest control company that serves your area.
- First contact. The provider contacts you to ask a few questions and arrange an inspection. Ask about any inspection fee up front.
- Inspection and identification. A technician inspects the property, identifies the pest and looks for entry points, moisture and other conditions.
- Recommendation and estimate. You receive options, what each includes, the expected number of visits and the price. For termites, findings are documented in a written report.
- Written notice. Before applying pesticides, a registered company must give you written notice that names the pest, the products and their active ingredients, along with a caution statement.
- Preparation. You get instructions specific to the treatment and product label — for example, what to cover, move or remove, and when it’s safe to return.
- Treatment and follow-up. Treatment is carried out, and follow-up visits are scheduled where the plan calls for them.
California’s three license branches
The California Structural Pest Control Board licenses structural pest control in three branches. A company must be registered in the branch that covers the work it performs.
| Branch | Covers | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Branch 1 — Fumigation | Control of household and wood-destroying pests with fumigant gases | Whole-structure termite tenting |
| Branch 2 — General Pest | Household pests, excluding fumigation | Ants, cockroaches, spiders, bed bugs, wasps, rodents |
| Branch 3 — Wood-Destroying Organisms | Termites and other wood-destroying organisms, using insecticides or structural repairs and corrections, excluding fumigation | Termite inspections, localized termite treatment, wood repairs |
Who’s who: company, operator, field rep, applicator
- Registered company — the business registered with the Structural Pest Control Board. It must have a Qualifying Manager for each branch it works in.
- Operator — a licensee who can own a company or serve as its Qualifying Manager, in the branch(es) they’re licensed for.
- Field Representative — works for a registered company performing inspections, estimates and treatments; can’t take on work on their own.
- Applicator — an entry-level license for applying pesticides while working for a registered company (Branches 2 and 3).
It’s reasonable to ask the technician which license they hold and to see the company’s registration number on your paperwork.
How to check a company before work starts
- State registration: look up the company on the Structural Pest Control Board website (license lookup). Confirm the registration is active and covers the branch you need — Branch 1 for fumigation, Branch 3 for termite work, Branch 2 for general pests.
- County registration: pest control businesses working in Los Angeles County must also register each year with the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights & Measures.
- Insurance: ask for a certificate of insurance, especially for larger jobs and multi-unit buildings.
- Paperwork: get the inspection findings, estimate, service agreement and pesticide notice in writing.
Registration vs. business license. State and county pest control registration is separate from a city business license or tax certificate. Routine treatment of your home doesn’t require you to get a permit.
Safety and product labels
Pesticide labels are legally binding instructions. They set how a product can be used, where, and what precautions apply — including when people and pets can return to a treated area. That’s why we don’t publish one-size-fits-all safety claims or re-entry times. Ask your provider about the specific products planned for your home, and mention children, pets, fish tanks, pregnancy, or health conditions when you request service.
Tell us what you're seeing
Give us a call — we'll arrange an inspection and explain your options before any treatment.