FAQ

Several pests are frequently found in and around homes. The most common include:

• Ants – Often invade kitchens and bathrooms in search of food and water.

• Cockroaches – Thrive in dark, damp spaces; known to spread allergens and bacteria.

• Rodents (mice and rats) – Enter homes for food and shelter; can damage wiring, insulation, and spread disease.

• Termites – Silent destroyers that feed on wood and can cause serious structural damage.

• Spiders – Generally harmless, but some species can deliver painful bites.

• Bed Bugs – Hide in mattresses, furniture, and cracks; feed on human blood at night.

• Fleas & Ticks – Often carried in by pets; can spread quickly and cause irritation.

• Flies – Spread bacteria and contaminate food.

• Wasps & Bees – Build nests around homes; stings can be dangerous for those allergic.

• Mosquitoes – Breed in standing water and can carry diseases.

Cockroaches are resilient pests, so effective control often requires a combination of pesticide types along with sanitation and exclusion methods. Common pesticide categories include:

• Gel Baits

  • One of the most effective methods.

  • Applied in cracks, crevices, and hidden areas where roaches travel.

  • Roaches consume the bait and spread it to others through contact and droppings.

• Insecticidal Dusts

  • Examples: boric acid, diatomaceous earth, silica gel.

  • Applied lightly into wall voids, behind appliances, and under cabinets.

  • Work by dehydrating or poisoning cockroaches when they crawl through treated areas.

• Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)

  • Prevent immature cockroaches from developing into reproductive adults.

  • Disrupt the life cycle, reducing long-term populations.

  • Often used alongside baits or sprays.

• Residual Sprays

  • Applied to baseboards, cracks, and entry points.

  • Provide ongoing protection by killing roaches that come into contact with treated surfaces.

  • Useful for heavy infestations, but must be applied carefully to avoid contamination of food areas.

• Aerosols / Foggers (less effective for long-term control)

  • Kill exposed roaches on contact but rarely eliminate infestations.

  • Not recommended as a stand-alone solution.

A termite is a small, social insect that feeds primarily on cellulose, the main component of wood, paper, and plant material. They live in large colonies with a caste system made up of workers, soldiers, and reproductive termites (kings and queens).

• Appearance: Termites are often pale or light brown in color, with straight antennae and soft bodies. They are sometimes confused with ants, but unlike ants, termites have broad waists and equal-length wings (when swarming).

• Behavior: Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because they can chew through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper unnoticed for months or years.

• Damage: They cause billions of dollars in property damage annually by weakening the structural integrity of homes and buildings.

• Types: The most common in households are:

  • Subterranean termites – Build underground colonies and travel through mud tubes to access wood.

  • Drywood termites – Live directly inside wood structures and furniture.

  • Dampwood termites – Prefer wet, decaying wood, often found in basements or leaky areas.

A bed bug is a small, flat, reddish-brown insect that feeds on the blood of humans and animals. They are nocturnal pests, most active at night when people are sleeping.

• Appearance: Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed (4–5 mm long). They have oval-shaped, flat bodies that swell and turn darker after feeding. Nymphs (young bed bugs) are smaller and lighter in color.

• Behavior: Bed bugs hide in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, couches, and cracks during the day. At night, they come out to feed on blood, leaving behind small bite marks on exposed skin.

• Signs of Infestation:

  • Itchy, red welts on arms, legs, or other exposed areas.

  • Rust-colored stains or dark spots on sheets and mattresses (from droppings or crushed bugs).

  • Shed skins and tiny white eggs in crevices.

• Health Impact: While bed bugs are not known to spread disease, their bites can cause allergic reactions, itching, and loss of sleep.

• Spread: They easily hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and used furniture, which is why infestations often start after travel or second-hand purchases.

Controlling bed bugs can be challenging because they are excellent at hiding and reproduce quickly. Successful elimination usually requires a combination of methods:

1. Inspection & Identification

• Check mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, couches, and baseboards.

• Look for live bugs, shed skins, tiny white eggs, or dark spots of droppings.

2. Declutter & Clean

• Remove unnecessary items where bed bugs can hide.

• Wash bedding, linens, and clothing in hot water and dry on high heat (at least 30 minutes).

• Vacuum mattresses, carpets, and cracks thoroughly, then immediately dispose of the vacuum bag.

3. Encase & Isolate

• Use bed bug–proof mattress and box spring encasements to trap existing bugs and prevent new ones from hiding.

• Pull beds away from walls and ensure bedding does not touch the floor.

4. Heat & Cold Treatments

• Bed bugs die at temperatures above 120°F; heat treatments (professional or DIY dryers/steamers) can kill all life stages.

• Freezing infested items at 0°F for 3–4 days can also be effective.

5. Targeted Pesticide Treatments

• Professionals use insecticide sprays, dusts, and aerosols in cracks, crevices, and hiding spots.

• Over-the-counter sprays may kill on contact but are rarely enough to eliminate an infestation.

6. Professional Pest Control

• Because bed bugs are persistent, most infestations require professional treatment plans that may include heat treatments, residual insecticides, and follow-up inspections.

The effectiveness and speed of bed bug treatments depend on the type of product or method used:

• Contact Sprays & Aerosols

  • Kill bed bugs immediately when sprayed directly.

  • Do not provide long-term control if bugs are hidden.

• Residual Insecticides (Sprays or Dusts)

  • Work over time by leaving a protective barrier in cracks and crevices.

  • Bed bugs that cross treated areas may die within hours to a few days.

• Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)

  • Prevent bed bugs from maturing or reproducing.

  • Results are slower (several weeks) since they disrupt the life cycle.

• Heat Treatments (Professional)

  • Kill bed bugs at all life stages immediately once the temperature reaches 120°F or higher.

  • Rooms are usually cleared in a single treatment if done correctly.

• Whole-House Management

  • Even with strong products, complete elimination usually requires multiple treatments over 2–4 weeks.

  • Follow-up inspections are essential to ensure no eggs hatch and restart the infestation.