Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When you come to spray my house how long will it take?
It depends on the type of pest and many other factors. A routine initial service for ants, for example, will often take less than an hour, and still control the problem for several months. Your technician will recommend things you can do to reduce pest pressure around your home. Rodent problems may require several service visits and cultural control measures as well.
Q: Can I be at home during treatment or do I need to leave?
Your technician will advise you if it is necessary to leave the home, or only to avoid specific areas until any treated surfaces have had time to dry. Advise your technician of any sensitive persons, pets, or organic gardens requiring extra care. Fish ponds are especially sensitive and care will be taken to avoid any exposure.
Q: Is there anything I need to do to my home prior to Pest Control treatment?
Your technician will advise you to remove pet food, water dishes, exposed food items, and children's toys from areas he needs to treat. If there are active pests indoors, other items may need attention.
Q: What if I touch an area that has been sprayed?
You should avoid any treated areas until dry. That is the minimum precaution for virtually all pesticides. If you accidentally touch a moist deposit or are otherwise exposed to a diluted pesticide, wash the exposed skin with soap and water. Remember that most of the common materials that we apply have been highly diluted and should not cause any ill effects. Consult the specific pesticide label for any further recommendations. Our service invoice and your technician will have further instructions for the specific products applied.
Q: Is it safe for my pet to go outside after spraying?
Every pesticide requires that pets and people avoid treated surfaces until dry. This is the minimum standard for all products. Once dry, the material will not be easily transferred to paws or human skin.
Q: How long do I need to be out of the house for fumigation?
Typically 3 days.
Q: If my house is treated inside, when will it be safe for my children to crawl or play on the ground?
Generally 2 to 4 hours or until dry. Your technician will inform you in advance of any precautions required by the label and our safety policy.
Q: What is the difference between granules and liquid spray?
A granular form of a pesticide has the active ingredient pre-diluted and impregnated on clay, paper or other sand like particles. Granules can be equally effective to sprays in damp winter conditions for a variety of crawling perimeter pests (ants, earwigs, millipedes, Oriental Cockroaches, etc.). Sprays are most effective on contact for ornamental and turf pests such as caterpillars, aphids, scale, whiteflies, and most spring and summer garden pests.
Q: If my house is sprayed right before it rains will the pest control treatment wash away?
Pesticide applied to eaves, around windows, under patio covers, and many pest harborages will be effective even if it rains. Dormant Oil sprays need to dry a little before it rains to smother overwintering insect eggs on shrubs and fruit trees.
Q: Is there anything I can use on the ants inside my house before my service technician comes for treatment?
You can use soap and water for ants all over the counter. Other household and over the counter sprays may complicate control, so please ask the technician first before applying any chemical yourself.
Q: How are pests getting inside my house?
There are often many areas around the exterior of the home that can either be a pest attractant or an area conducive to pests. These may include vents, windows, eaves, debris around the home, landscaping issues, etc. Before applying treatment, our technicians do an inspection and walk-around of your house to help identify any problem areas. They note any problems on the inspection form, and make suggestions of what can be done to reduce pest pressure. After treatment, they will drop-off the inspection form with you, provide an estimate to repair any problem areas, and answer any questions you might have.
Q: I have little tiny bugs coming from my potted plants. How can I get rid of them?
This occurs often in plants and unfortunately there are no sprays or products that will get rid of these bugs. These pests are breeding in the soil as a result of moisture and sometimes as a result of the soil being old. The easiest thing to do that usually takes care of the problem is to simply repot the plant with fresh soil.
Q: My house is clean, but I still have roaches. Why?
The roaches are looking for food, shelter, and water to survive.Thus, even a clean house cannot prevent their entry. Make sure to seal all windows and doors to prevent them from entering your home.
Q: How do I know if I have a termite problem?
Depending on your geographical location, termite swarms should be visible in the early spring. Termite swarms can be confused with flying ants. Telltale signs of termite infestation include soft wood in the home, mud tubes in the interior or exterior of your home (often near the foundation), and darkening or blistering of wood structures.
Q: My current provider has been spraying my facility for a pest problem, but the bugs keep coming back. Why?
Effective pest control involves much more than just applying pesticide. To combat any pest problem, it is critical to do a comprehensive inspection of the facility to corectly identify the pest, locate harborage areas and to identify possible entry points. All potential entry points should be sealed off. Pesticides should only be used as needed, and specifically targeted at a certain pest. Improper use of pesticides may worsen the problem, which is why you should always have a professional address pest control issues.
Q: Is there a connection between pests and asthma?
Cockroaches and rodents contain certain allergens (e.g., "frass") that aggravate existing asthma in children. Proper pest control will help prevent or remove pests that can trigger asthma.