Frequently Asked Questions 

By treating the exterior of your home, pests can be stopped in their tracks before they ever get inside and invade your family's living space, where they can potentially cause problems. 

Our company's perimeter pest treatment stops pests fast, while other products can take days to control pests.  It's difficult to give an exact length of time on how long a treatment will last because it often depends on your specific pest problem and geography.  Renewal applications may be needed depending on the size of your problems, your climate, and other factors. 

One of the best things about perimeter pest control is how easy it is on you.  Unlike indoor treatment, where you're required to cover and move certain items, there is little preparation on your part before the technician makes the treatment.  Close the windows, and pick up any toys, tools, or garden hoses lying next to the house.  Another plus: Since the exterior of your home is being treated. You don't have to be home for the technician to perform the treatment.

The pest control product we use for perimeter treatments is applied in a band (up to 6 -feet wide) of soil, mulch, and lawn surrounding and adjacent to your home.  It can also be applied directly to your home's foundation (depending on your situation) up to a heigh of two to three feet.  This area is where pests are usually found and can enter your home. 

No. Even with direct contact, you never have to worry about the product we use harming the soil or lawn.

Children and pets should be kept off the treated area until surfaces are dry. 

No. One of the many advantages of the product we use is there's no bothersome odor for your family and pets. 

Bed bugs don’t carry disease, but they are a very obnoxious nuisance that can be difficult to get rid of once they take hold. Bed bug bites can cause irritation or itching. Their presence can cause anxiety and sleeplessness.

Bed bugs are normally dark brown or rust colored. Babies begin colorless and gradually become darker brown as they grow.

Typically, 3-4 months. There is debate about how long bed bugs can survive without a blood meal. In colder weather, bed bugs can slow their metabolism and survive for longer stretches of time.

The easiest way is by noticing bites that weren’t there the night before or seeing bugs on your mattress or in your bedding.

Bed bugs are notorious hitch hikers. They cluster in hubs like hotels, airports and malls where large numbers of people pass through daily. They can climb into your luggage or on to your clothes and follow you home. Once there it may take time before you notice. You may never know where bed bugs come from, but a simple precaution is to throw all your travel laundry into a high heat dryer when you get home. This will kill any uninvited bugs.

Bed bugs themselves are tiny dark dots about the size of a pin head. They can be hard to see alone but visible in groups. They also leave easier to notice rust colored smears that will stain your bedding and mattress.

Termites are wood-destroying insects. Their presence dates back to the dinosaurs. While they play an important role in nature, experts estimate they cause $5 billion of property damage each year.

Yes, the three major kinds of termites in the United States are dampwood, drywood and subterranean. Dampwood termites commonly live in heavily forested areas of the country as they prefer wet wood; while, drywood termites, much more rare in the United States, prefer extremely dry wood. Subterranean termites require moist environments, live mainly in the soil and are the most destructive species.

Subterranean termites can cause the most damage of any termite species. These termites build distinctive tunnels, often referred to as “mud tubes,” to reach food sources and protect themselves from open air. They eat wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using their saw-toothed jaws to bite off small fragments of wood one piece at a time. Over time, subterranean termites can critically damage a building structure, sometimes causing a total collapse. Subterranean termites threaten homeowners across the country, as they’re found in every state in the U.S except Alaska. 

The best method of subterranean termite control is prevention first and foremost. Avoid water accumulation near the home's foundation, as these pests are attracted to moisture. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Additionally, be sure to seal cracks and crevices in the home’s foundation to keep termites out. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil, and maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building. 

Termites are a destructive pest that cannot be eradicated with do-it-yourself measures. In fact, termites lead to more than $5 billion in property damage each year in the United States, a cost typically not covered by homeowners insurance. In order to proactively prevent these devastating pests, schedule annual professional termite inspections for your home. If you suspect a termite infestation on your property, contact a licensed pest control professional to determine the extent of the problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan. 

Depending on where you live, termite swarms may be visible in the early spring. Termites are often confused with flying ants. Telltale signs of termite infestation include soft wood in the home, mud tubes on the exterior of your home (often near the foundation) and darkening or blistering of wood structures. 

Termites eat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, meaning damage to wood in and around a structure can happen very quickly. In fact, the NPMA estimates that termites cause $5 billion in property damage each year. The good news is that termites can be controlled with the partnership of a trained pest professional. 

There are many steps a homeowner can take to help prevent termites from infesting their property. Most importantly, a homeowner should eliminate or reduce moisture in and around their home, which termites need to thrive. Divert water away from your home's foundation by installing properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Trim vines, hedges and other vegetation to prevent them from blocking vents. Remove old form boards, grade stakes, tree trunks and roots near a building, as they may attract termites. In addition, maintain an 18-inch gap between soil and any wood portions of your home. Finally, routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of termite damage.

Termites are not a pest that can be effectively treated by a homeowner. A licensed pest control professional will be able to recommend a course of action depending on many factors, including the area of the country that you live in, the size of your infestation, the termite species present and your home's construction.

The National Pest Management Association and the entire pest management industry are committed to providing highly effective treatment options for all pest issues. The most effective type of treatment depends on the severity of the infestation, the species of termite, and the location and contruction of the home. A trained and licensed pest control professional can assess each infestation individually and recommend the most effective treatment plan. 

Termites cannot be effectively treated by a homeowner on their own. Pest control professionals have the training, expertise and technology to eliminate a termite infestation.