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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if I have termite infestation and what are the signs of damage?
Termites feed on cellulose in wood and paper products such as books, cardboard, and various other items. Termite damage in
homes is usually not obvious until significant damage has occurred. Sometimes homeowners first notice termites when they
swarm. Swarmers are "winged reproductives" that leave the colony in a swarm to mate, reproduce, and start new colonies. Yet,
it's the worker termites - small, creamy white insects that are seldom seen -- that are the most numerous and the cause most of
all the termite damage. There are many species of termites that can infest homes under a variety of conditions.
Subterranean termites, the most common type, build colonies in the ground and often construct mud tubes on structures. They
use the mud tubes as passageways to explore for food and travel to and from the soil. If you suspect that you have a termite
infestation, you should have your home thoroughly inspected by a termite specialist. Professional termite inspectors are trained to
locate specific areas in your home where a termite attack is most likely to occur. If termites are found, the specialist can design a
treatment plan to control current infestations and to protect your home from future infestations.
What can I do to make my home less susceptible to termites?
There are several things you can do to help make your home less susceptible to termites: · Look for excessive moisture in and
around your home especially in basements and crawl spaces. Termites require moisture to successfully live and breed in
structures. Reducing moisture problems in and around your home will decrease the likelihood of termite attack. Repair leaking
pipes, water lines and fixtures that may wet any wooden parts of your home. · Stack firewood, lumber and other wooden items
several feet away from your home and plant flowerbeds and other frequently watered ornamentals as far away from the perimeter
of your house as possible. · Ideally, wood-containing mulches should be placed at least one foot away from the foundation of
your home. Wood used in decks and porches should be pressure treated. · Outdoor lights with white bulbs may attract night
swarming termites, especially in the spring. Try replacing white bulbs with yellow or pale amber.
What are the most common household pests and what can I do to make my home pest free?
Common household pests include insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites, flies, pantry pests and wasps as well as urban
wildlife such as rodents, raccoons, bats, and birds. Remember, most pests need food, water and a place to live. Eliminating any
one of those elements will help significantly in controlling the pest. With that in mind, there are a number of steps homeowners
can take to help keep their homes pest free:
Clean regularly and reduce clutter inside and outside of your home.
Keep foods such as flour, cereal, spaghetti and pet food in re-sealable containers with tight lids.
Keep kitchens, dining rooms and other areas where food is eaten clean and free of crumbs.
Sweep and vacuum often (especially in eating areas) to help eliminate food sources for some pests.
Keep garbage areas clean and store garbage in sealed containers that are picked up regularly.
Seal cracks, crevices, and other gaps especially around doors and windows. · Make sure all windows and doors are screened and
fit the screens snuggly in their frames.
Many pests need moisture to successfully live and reproduce inside your home, so limit their access to water or moisture sources
by sealing any cracks and leaks in pipes and faucets.
Outside your home, keep trees, shrubs and flowerbeds well maintained and avoid having them touch the house.
Store firewood away from the house and at least 5 inches off the ground.
Clean gutters regularly and direct water from downspouts and drains away from your home.
Seal any gaps where utility wires or pipes come into your home.
Make sure that basements and attics are well ventilated.
What is the best way to get rid of mice without pesticides and how can I keep them out?
Snap traps can be used with or without bait to capture mice. Place the traps in areas where you have seen mice, their droppings
or near any suspect holes. Glue-type traps may also be used if you are comfortable using them. Look for small holes and
openings near the ground, around the roof, and behind bushes on the outside of your home. Also, examine where wires, drains,
and other utilities come into and out of your home. If you notice any openings, try to seal them up. Mice are very clever and can
gnaw through a variety of tough materials. You may have to add fixtures like door sweeps, metal screen, or other sealants to keep
them out. Inside, look for evidence of droppings, gnawing, and other chewing damage. You can also consult a pest management
professional that has the expertise and tools for rodent monitoring and baiting. Just ask your pest management professional to
install traps that use no poison. Keep in mind, enlisting the aid of a professional will likely save you both time and money.
Back to Top
How do I keep wasps from nesting near my home?
In early spring, most social wasps come out of hibernation and look for ideal places to start their nests. They will be less likely to
nest on your property if you make it less attractive to them. Make sure that garbage placed outside is kept in clean, tightly sealed
containers. If you have fruit trees in your yard, consider removing them or regularly removing fruits that have fallen and begun
to rot on the ground. Keep screens tightly secured on windows and doors and make sure that they do not have gaps or openings in
them. It is a good idea to hire a pest management firm to remove any old nests and check for wasp activity. They can monitor
and prevent wasps from successfully constructing new nests on your home. A pest manager will also be able to advise you on
other changes that may be needed to reduce wasp activity on your property.
Why should I hire a professional pest manager?
Professional pest managers are specialists that are educated, trained, and certified to handle pest management issues. Qualified
pest management professionals have the necessary experience and tools to provide protection against irritating and destructive
pests. Modern pest managers practice integrated pest management (IPM) where they first identify and monitor the offending pest
and then design an effective program to control, manage or eliminate the pests from your home while protecting the safety of
you, your family and your pets.
Termites feed on cellulose in wood and paper products such as books, cardboard, and various other items. Termite damage in
homes is usually not obvious until significant damage has occurred. Sometimes homeowners first notice termites when they
swarm. Swarmers are "winged reproductives" that leave the colony in a swarm to mate, reproduce, and start new colonies. Yet,
it's the worker termites - small, creamy white insects that are seldom seen -- that are the most numerous and the cause most of
all the termite damage. There are many species of termites that can infest homes under a variety of conditions.
Subterranean termites, the most common type, build colonies in the ground and often construct mud tubes on structures. They
use the mud tubes as passageways to explore for food and travel to and from the soil. If you suspect that you have a termite
infestation, you should have your home thoroughly inspected by a termite specialist. Professional termite inspectors are trained to
locate specific areas in your home where a termite attack is most likely to occur. If termites are found, the specialist can design a
treatment plan to control current infestations and to protect your home from future infestations.
What can I do to make my home less susceptible to termites?
There are several things you can do to help make your home less susceptible to termites: · Look for excessive moisture in and
around your home especially in basements and crawl spaces. Termites require moisture to successfully live and breed in
structures. Reducing moisture problems in and around your home will decrease the likelihood of termite attack. Repair leaking
pipes, water lines and fixtures that may wet any wooden parts of your home. · Stack firewood, lumber and other wooden items
several feet away from your home and plant flowerbeds and other frequently watered ornamentals as far away from the perimeter
of your house as possible. · Ideally, wood-containing mulches should be placed at least one foot away from the foundation of
your home. Wood used in decks and porches should be pressure treated. · Outdoor lights with white bulbs may attract night
swarming termites, especially in the spring. Try replacing white bulbs with yellow or pale amber.
What are the most common household pests and what can I do to make my home pest free?
Common household pests include insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites, flies, pantry pests and wasps as well as urban
wildlife such as rodents, raccoons, bats, and birds. Remember, most pests need food, water and a place to live. Eliminating any
one of those elements will help significantly in controlling the pest. With that in mind, there are a number of steps homeowners
can take to help keep their homes pest free:
Clean regularly and reduce clutter inside and outside of your home.
Keep foods such as flour, cereal, spaghetti and pet food in re-sealable containers with tight lids.
Keep kitchens, dining rooms and other areas where food is eaten clean and free of crumbs.
Sweep and vacuum often (especially in eating areas) to help eliminate food sources for some pests.
Keep garbage areas clean and store garbage in sealed containers that are picked up regularly.
Seal cracks, crevices, and other gaps especially around doors and windows. · Make sure all windows and doors are screened and
fit the screens snuggly in their frames.
Many pests need moisture to successfully live and reproduce inside your home, so limit their access to water or moisture sources
by sealing any cracks and leaks in pipes and faucets.
Outside your home, keep trees, shrubs and flowerbeds well maintained and avoid having them touch the house.
Store firewood away from the house and at least 5 inches off the ground.
Clean gutters regularly and direct water from downspouts and drains away from your home.
Seal any gaps where utility wires or pipes come into your home.
Make sure that basements and attics are well ventilated.
What is the best way to get rid of mice without pesticides and how can I keep them out?
Snap traps can be used with or without bait to capture mice. Place the traps in areas where you have seen mice, their droppings
or near any suspect holes. Glue-type traps may also be used if you are comfortable using them. Look for small holes and
openings near the ground, around the roof, and behind bushes on the outside of your home. Also, examine where wires, drains,
and other utilities come into and out of your home. If you notice any openings, try to seal them up. Mice are very clever and can
gnaw through a variety of tough materials. You may have to add fixtures like door sweeps, metal screen, or other sealants to keep
them out. Inside, look for evidence of droppings, gnawing, and other chewing damage. You can also consult a pest management
professional that has the expertise and tools for rodent monitoring and baiting. Just ask your pest management professional to
install traps that use no poison. Keep in mind, enlisting the aid of a professional will likely save you both time and money.
Back to Top
How do I keep wasps from nesting near my home?
In early spring, most social wasps come out of hibernation and look for ideal places to start their nests. They will be less likely to
nest on your property if you make it less attractive to them. Make sure that garbage placed outside is kept in clean, tightly sealed
containers. If you have fruit trees in your yard, consider removing them or regularly removing fruits that have fallen and begun
to rot on the ground. Keep screens tightly secured on windows and doors and make sure that they do not have gaps or openings in
them. It is a good idea to hire a pest management firm to remove any old nests and check for wasp activity. They can monitor
and prevent wasps from successfully constructing new nests on your home. A pest manager will also be able to advise you on
other changes that may be needed to reduce wasp activity on your property.
Why should I hire a professional pest manager?
Professional pest managers are specialists that are educated, trained, and certified to handle pest management issues. Qualified
pest management professionals have the necessary experience and tools to provide protection against irritating and destructive
pests. Modern pest managers practice integrated pest management (IPM) where they first identify and monitor the offending pest
and then design an effective program to control, manage or eliminate the pests from your home while protecting the safety of
you, your family and your pets.