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Are You Licensed to Practice as an Exterminator in New York City? 

The regulation of individuals and businesses that wish to provide pest control services in New York City is handled at the state level by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). By the requirements of this department, any individual who wishes to apply pesticides in NYC must be certified as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator, a Commercial Pesticide Technician, or a Private Pesticide Applicator, depending on the scope of the pest control services being offered:  

• Certified commercial pesticide applicators: these types of exterminators are authorized to use or supervise the use of any pesticides for commercial purposes and can also sell or supervise the sale of restricted pesticides.  
• Certified commercial pesticide technicians: these exterminators can apply general use or unclassified pesticides for commercial purposes without supervision. However, they must be directly supervised by a certified commercial pesticide applicator before they can use restricted pesticides. 
• Certified private pesticide applicators: individuals certified as private pesticide applicators can use or supervise the private application of restricted-use pesticides for agricultural purposes. Note that this certification is not issued to exterminators who provide pest control services for compensation. 

Applications for DEC-issued certifications can be made via the department’s nForm online form tool, and applicants will be required to create a user account to access this tool. Queries concerning the user account creation process or matters related to user account sign-in problems can be directed to phone numbers (518) 474-7497 and (800) 697-1323.

Likewise, issues concerning completing the certification application form can be directed to the DEC program staff indicated at the top of the form.  

Interested parties that wish to be certified by the DEC must meet certain eligibility requirements, which include being at least 17 years old and providing verifiable proof of on-the-job work or training experience. Note that the minimum acceptable years of this required experience largely depend on the requested certification type. The DEC also offers several certification categories for commercial and private pest control-related services.

These include the 7A – Structural and Rodent Control category, which allows holders to control rodents and insects within or associated with structures, and the 7C – Termite, which allows holders to identify and treat termite species. Applicants are typically required to pass a certification examination and pay a certification fee for each category they wish to apply for.  

Finally, exterminators in NYC must also register their business locations with the DEC. This registration can be done by mailing a completed Pesticide Business Registration Application Form to the department at: 

Note that a separate registration form and the payment of separate registration fees must be completed for each business location.  

Hiring an exterminator properly certified and registered by the DEC ensures that your pest control job will comply with federal pesticide application standards and local environmental conservation laws. Per Article 71 of these laws, exterminators who fail to undergo certification and registration with the DEC can receive civil penalties of up to $5,000 for first offenders and $10,000 for subsequent offenders.

Homeowners who knowingly hire uncertified exterminators also face similar penalties.   

You can get additional information concerning the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s pesticide applicator certification and pesticide business registration requirements and procedures by contacting the department at (518) 402-8748 or via email. You can verify your intended NYC exterminator’s certification and registration status online via the department’s NYS Pesticide Administration Database.  

Are You Registered with the New York State Pest Control Association? 

Exterminators in New York City are statutorily required to undergo state-level certification with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. While you should always ensure that any exterminator you hire has fulfilled this requirement, it is also a good idea to find out if the exterminator belongs to a reputable trade association. These include the New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA) and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

The NYPMA and the NPMA are voluntary trade associations that promote high standards and professional conduct amongst exterminators in New York City by providing them with access to continuous and up-to-date industry information and training opportunities.  

Exterminators who belong to these associations are typically more experienced than their non-member counterparts and tend to display a higher degree of on-the-job professionalism when providing their services. Another advantage of hiring exterminators who belong to trade associations is that they provide a channel for consumer mediation if you are unsatisfied with the outcome of your exterminator’s pest control services.  

Note that you should always request proof of membership from an exterminator who claims to belong to a trade association and contact this association to verify the exterminator’s membership claims.  

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

When searching for qualified exterminators in NYC, it is always a good idea to get and compare rates from at least three exterminators in the city before making your final hiring decision. Pest control workers across New York City are estimated to earn average wages of $21.35 per hour.

However, the total amount of money that you will have to pay for pest control services in the city is generally dependent on several factors, such as:

• Your specific location within the city 
• The type of pests that require controlling 
• The size of your home or property 
• The urgency of the situation 
• The nature and frequency of the required pest control services 
• The level of pest infestation  
• The cost of supplies and equipment required for the job 

Shopping around for cost estimates is a good way to ensure you are charged a fair rate for your required pest control service and avoid being scammed by exterminators that bilk unsuspecting consumers in the city. Note that when comparing these cost estimates, you should not automatically hire the exterminator with the lowest rates.

Be wary of exterminators who offer extremely low rates or deals that are too good to be true, and do your due diligence to ensure that these individuals are legit.  

Pest control workers in New York City earn an average annual wage of $44,400. The list below compares the average hourly wages of this category of professionals in the city with those in other parts of New York State and other locations across the United States: 

Do You Comply with the New York City Regulations for Pesticide Application? 

Hiring an exterminator familiar with and complies with the New York City pesticide application rules and regulations ensures that you receive satisfactory pest control services at the end of the day.

Several laws and regulations regulate the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides in NYC, including NYC Local Law 36, NYC Local Law 37, and the New York State Environmental Conservation Laws. Some key details of these laws and regulations that should be noted include: 

• The registration of all pesticides in NYC with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation before their sale, distribution, or use. 
• The mandatory certification of pesticide applicators and the registration of all pesticide control businesses in NYC. 
• The mandatory notification of neighbors before the application of certain lawn pesticides. These notices must be delivered at least 48 hours before the pesticides are applied, and they must include details of the pesticide and the pesticide applicator, the scheduled application date, and two alternative dates in case this date changes. 
• The prohibition of certain types of pesticides on property owned or leased by the city. These include pesticides categorized as “Toxicity Category I” and pesticides classified as known, possible, or likely human carcinogens by the EPA. Exterminators must also post notifications at least 24 hours before pesticide applications on these properties. 

You can find out the specific laws and regulations that may apply to your required pest control service by contacting the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at (347) 396-4100.

This department can also be contacted by calling 311 for callers within NYC and (212) 639-9675 for callers outside the city. Inquiries concerning NYC pesticide application regulations and requirements can also be directed to the Compliance Section of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at (518) 402-8727 or via email.  

What Type of Pest Control Method Are You Using? 

You should always find out the types of pest control methods the exterminator you plan to hire uses while providing their services and ensure that these methods will be effective for the job. Exterminators in New York City typically utilize several traditional pest control methods, which include: 

• Chemical Pest Control: this type of pest control method involves using CimeXa Insecticide Dust, Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide, and Bifen IT Concentrate to rid homes and living areas of pests. These chemicals may come in solid, liquid, or aerosol form, and they typically contain active ingredients like fipronil, malathion, acephate, and boric acid, which require expert application as they can be hazardous to humans, pets, and other living organisms.  
• Biological Pest Control: this type of pest control method involves using animals to control an area’s pest population. A typical example is using cats to limit the spread of rats and mice in a building. This pest control method is relatively safe for humans and other living organisms in the area. However, it is only effective if the correct type of pest-controlling animal is used under the right conditions. 
• Organic Pest Control: organic pest control involves using items like baits, traps, and sprays to limit the damage caused by pests in an area without inflicting any harm on other animals and plants in the area. The most effective types of these organic sprays usually contain one or more natural pest repellents like sulfur, boric acid, neem oil, and ryania. Some common organic pest control brands used by exterminators in NYC include Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control Spray, Wondercide, Verdana Cold-Pressed Organic Neem Oil, and EcoRaider Ant & Crawling Insect Killer. Note that organic pest control as a sole pest control method is not particularly effective in getting rid of the pests in the area of concern.  
• Electronic Pest Control: electronic pest control involves getting rid of insects and rodents in an area using devices MaxMoxie and Pest Soldier that emit ultrasonic and electromagnetic signals to repel these pests. 
• Hygienic Pest Control: this type of pest control method focuses on using good hygiene to prevent the growth and spread of pests in an area.  

Many professional exterminators in the city utilize pest control methods to ensure your pest problem is effectively handled. In addition, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan via its Integrated Pest Management Toolkit for safer and more effective pest control services in the city. The benefits of implementing an IPM plan include: 

• It targets and fixes the underlying causes of your home’s pest problems 
• It helps prevent pest-related damage to buildings 
• It helps improve building and indoor air quality 

You can find exterminators in NYC implementing Integrated Pest Management plans by accessing online directories from organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the National Pest Management Association. You can also find licensed exterminators in the city by contacting the New York Pest Management Association at (877) 521-7378 or via email. 

What Household Pests Do You Control? 

Before hiring any exterminators in New York City, it is always a good idea to find out the type of household pests they specialize in controlling and the pest control services they are equipped to offer. Exterminators in the city typically offer three main types of pest control services, namely: 

• Pest Extermination 
• Pest Removal 
• Pest Prevention 

Pest extermination and pest removal services involve getting rid of pests already inhabiting and breeding in an area. On the other hand, pest prevention services lean towards ensuring that common pests in the city, like mice, rats, and cockroaches, do not inhabit, breed, or grow in your home in the first place.

Confirming the types of pest control services your intended exterminator offers and whether they also specialize in exterminating the specific types of pests inhabiting your home ensures that you receive satisfactory services at the end of the day. Also, ensure you agree on the costs of the exterminator’s services before they commence any work in your home.  

The list below provides the average costs for pest control services in New York City based on the type of pests involved. Note that these costs are estimates, and you may pay more or less than the stated figures. Also, depending on the extent of your home’s infestation, you may require multiple visits from your exterminator to rid your home of the inhabiting pests properly: 

Do You Carry the Necessary Right Insurance Policy for Exterminators in New York City? 

Exterminators typically face several on-the-job hazards, such as exposure to injurious chemicals and possible disease infections from rodent and insect bites. Ensuring that your intended exterminators are properly insured protects you from financial and legal liabilities if they happen to be injured in your home while providing your requested pest control services.  

Per the requirements of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, all pest control businesses that operate in New York City must have a minimum general liability insurance coverage of $300,000 per individual, $1,000,000 per incident of bodily injury, and $300,000 for property damage.

To this end, you should always request proof of this mandatory insurance coverage from your preferred exterminators in the form of an insurance certificate and authenticate this certificate with the issuing insurance company. It is also a good idea to confirm that the exterminator’s coverage limits are adequate for the nature and scope of your intended pest control service.  

Note that employers that operate within New York State are also typically required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees, and pest control businesses in NYC are not exempt from this. Failure to comply with the state’s workers’ compensation requirement can result in fines of up to $2,000 for every 10 days without this coverage and other state-imposed criminal penalties.   

You can get additional information on the insurance requirements for exterminators in NYC by contacting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at (518) 402-8748. Queries related specifically to state-mandated workers’ compensation insurance requirements can also be directed to the NYS Workers Compensation Board at (877) 632-4996.