FAQs

While exterior only treatments can help reduce the number of pests on your property, it should not be used as the only solution. There are many entry points for pests, which can include the attic, basement, windows, doors, and/or crawlspaces. Exterior only treatments create a barrier of 3 feet up and around 10 feet out from the foundation of the structure(s) and will not deter/terminate pests gaining entry from a higher elevation. Sometimes you will need crack and crevice treatments on the interior of the home for strategic placement of product to help with any pests that have made it to the interior of the house. We are always happy to inspect the interior of the house to see what issues exist and share our plan of action with you based on what we find.

All products used in our treatments are EPA registered, and when used according to the label pose little to no risk. Furthermore, all products selected for indoor use by our company fall into the caution category, which is the EPA’s lowest risk category.

The length of the service will vary depending on the pest and level of infestation, but typically the service takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Overwintering pests enter homes in the fall and prepare to nest for the winter. Beetles, ladybugs and box elders are common to see entering homes this winter. Much like humans, insects seek comfort and nutrients, which can be found in homes. Also, watch for the west side of homes where the bugs sun-bathe for warmth in the afternoon.

Having a clean house will not eradicate roaches entering your home since they are looking for food, shelter and water to survive. If it is a larger cockroach you are seeing, they are coming from the outside to the inside, through windows or doors that might not be sealed properly when shut, or through attics, basements, etc. If it is the smaller German cockroach, they can be brought in on groceries, bags, furniture, etc.

Cockroaches produce a specific protein, tropomosin, which has been linked with asthma. Decaying molted exoskeletons and fecal matter from roaches also contribute to the allergens caused by cockroaches. They will also cause sickness by spreading bacteria across food or structure surfaces as the crawl around.

Many, many different things. The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), for example, feeds on a great variety of foodstuffs including bread, fruit, leather, starch in book bindings, paper, glue, skin flakes, hair, dead insects and soiled clothing.

Even though spiders are a beneficial predator of many species of insects, they can become a nuisance pest when they begin infesting areas of homes and commercial buildings. These arachnids often make their way into structures to forage for food (insects) or to find a more suitable environment to live than the outside when weather isn’t so pleasant. After spiders make their way into structures, they can breed and reproduce, causing a nuisance for those using these indoor spaces. Here are 5 tips to help reduce the spider population:

1. Exclusion: Caulk cracks and holes or install screens for those areas too large to caulk (vent pipes, chimneys, etc…)
2. Tree and Shrub Trimming: Since insects often harbor in plants, it is an excellent food source for spiders. Trimming bushes and pruning trees so that no branches are touching the structure will reduce the number of spiders making it to the interior.
3. Reduce Habitats: Wood piles, paper products, and/or boxes make great habitats for spiders. Make sure you have a location away from the main structure for storage of these materials.
4. Lighting: Exterior lights on at night attract all sorts of insects. This is a great place for spiders to spin webs to trap prey for food. When possible, try to limit lights at night.
5. Spider Control Applications: When possible, you can physically remove spiders and their eggs sacks while cleaning with a vacuum. However, this is after-the-fact, not a preventive method of spider control. The best way to control spiders is to apply a labeled spider control material. This low-volume spray application will provide protection as it not only kills spiders it contacts, but provides some residual control for a month or better in areas that spiders frequent. Areas that have lots of spider activity around overhangs and exterior lights, etc. are a great place to spray these materials. Applying these materials also helps with reducing other insect populations, which in turn, reduces food sources for spiders. Interior applications of spider control can be applied to problem areas such as attics, garages, crawl spaces, and storage areas.

The presence of winged termites inside a home almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment. Termite swarmers are attracted to light and often will be seen around windows, doors and light fixtures.

They can be differentiated from winged ants by their straight antennae, uniform waist, and wings of equal size. Ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists and forewings that are longer than the hind wings. Swarmers emerging from tree stumps, woodpiles, railroad ties and other outdoor locations are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not necessarily mean that the structure, itself, is infested.

Another indicator of a termite problem is pencil-wide mud foraging tubes extending over foundation walls, support piers, sill plates, floor joists, headers and subfloors. Termites construct these mud “shelter” tubes as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure. Termite damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries. Wood damaged by moisture or other types of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will not have this appearance. There will often be no sign of the termites themselves — small, creamy-white insects with an “ant-like” appearance. An infestation can go undetected for years, hidden behind drywall, paneling, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions.

Termite feeding, and the resultant damage, can even progress undetected in wood that is exposed, because the outer surface is usually left intact. Confirmation of infestation often requires the keen eye of an experienced termite inspector. However, even the most experienced termite inspector can overlook damage which is hidden.

Spring is typically when large numbers of winged termites (known as “swarmers”) emerge inside structures. This, along with other signs of termites noted during real estate inspections is what usually triggers the initial concern of homeowners. In nature, termites swarm in order to disperse and start new colonies. After a colony reaches a critical size (typically requiring 5-8 years), winged reproductive termites are produced. In response to warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air.

Yes, termites really eat wood. In nature, termites play a useful role helping wood be recycled to the soil as humus, an organic material that provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water. Using bacteria, protozoa and microbes that live inside their stomachs, termites are able to digest cellulose, the main constituent of wood. They are extremely well organized and persistent in their search for new food sources. Contrary to what one might think, they will eat anything containing cellulose – wallpaper, books, boxes, carpet backing, drywall and even furniture.