questions and answers
Answers to the most frequently asked questions from the thumbtack experts.
Do exterminators offer remote or virtual services?
Shredding will usually take place at your home or place of business, but you can ask if the company offers any special accommodations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you come across a profile that says the exterminator offers remote services, ask what those services entail. But if the work has to be done in person, be sure to follow thoseCDC Social Distancing Guidelinesor see if you can reschedule your appointment.
What are the signs of pests in your home?
Signs of a pest infestation vary depending on the type of pest. Here are some signs to watch out for when dealing with some of the more common pests:
- ants:Stray ants that walk or gather in large numbers, wood chips, ants emerging from hidden crevices, ant nests
- Rats or mice:Feces, chewed objects and wires, hoofbeats, holes in walls and floors
- Cockroaches:Cylindrical droppings, brown spots, live cockroaches
- fleas:Small, dark spots on your pet's skin, your pet begins to scratch excessively, itchy "flea dirt" on bedding, carpet, or furniture
- Bedbugs: feces in the seams of your mattress, rusty/reddish spots on the sheets, skin bites
- termites:Sludge sludge, wood-smelling feces, small holes in walls, peeling or bubbling paint, wood damage
- Bees or wasps:Excessive numbers of bees and wasps, dark spots on walls or ceilings, and paper nests or hives under eaves, behind shutters, on balconies, or in garden sheds.
If you notice any of these signs in your home, contact yourThe best exterminators in your area.
How often should pest control be done?
This depends on several factors, including:
- The type of plague
- The severity of the invasion.
- The characteristics of your house
- The quality of the work of the pest controller.
In some cases, you may need pest control services three to four times a year. Or you may need services monthly or every few months.
talk toThe best exterminators in your areato get an idea of what kind of service you need and how often you need follow-up treatments.
How do you get rid of termites?
The best way to get rid of termites is to act fast. Termites are a problem that only gets worse, and no matter how much you want them to, they usually don't magically move on their own. There are three main types of termites: drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites. Dry and damp wood termites will scuttle through cracks in exterior paint, nail holes, and gaps near windows and other openings and begin eating through the wood. Subterranean termites invade your home from below by forming mud tunnels. In all cases, they survive by eating the wood in your house. The type of termites you have can drive the treatment plan.
Methods to eradicate termites include fumigation, the use of pesticides, and the use of natural elements that are toxic to insects. The extent of the termite infestation will help determine the method of treatment. If you have dry or damp wood termites that have infiltrated all aspects of the wood in your home, your pest control professional may recommend enclosing the entire home in a tent and gas fumigating the termites. If you have subterranean termites, it is often necessary to treat the entire footprint of the house, drilling liquid treatments into the slab or foundation of the house to eradicate the colonies. As soon as you see signs of termites, it's definitely time to take action and call a pest professional.
How much does it cost to get rid of cockroaches?
Cockroaches are not only ugly, they are also difficult to get rid of. They are fast and hardy, and once inhabited in a house, it is difficult to get rid of them without professional help. Nationwide, the average cost range for cockroach pest control is$80-$130. Extermination experts will usually provide a free estimate to determine the extent of the infestation. It will look for the main sources of bugs, identify bug sources and entry points into your home, and determine the best method to eliminate bugs. There are a variety of tools used to eradicate roaches, including gel baits and traps, pesticide foggers, desiccants (which dry out roaches), neurotoxins, and other pesticides. Pest control costs can also include preventative measures like regular spraying and trap maintenance. Some regions of the country are much more prone to roach problems than others, so pest control expenses may need to be part of your quarterly budget. Roaches love dark, damp, warm areas and water sources, so place traps near your washer and dryer and under your sinks.
Do I have to leave the house for pest control?
This depends on the type of pest control service you need. Your exterminator can often tell you ahead of time what products you will be using and where to apply them.
If the pest control company will be using toxic chemicals, limit your exposure according to theNational Pesticide Information Center. For example, consider leaving your home during the application and ventilate your home well when you return. And always keep your pets and supplies away from applied pesticides.
Talk topest control companies near youfor tips on what to do when treating your home for pests.
Is a monthly pest control necessary?
A monthly pest control service is only required in certain situations. For example, a severe ant or roach infestation may require monthly pest control to destroy the infestation at the source.
talk toThe best exterminators in your areato get an idea of what kind of service you need and how often you need follow-up treatments.
How much does it cost to kill bed bugs?
The cost of bed bug control depends primarily on how widespread the infestation is and how many rooms need to be treated. Other factors that can affect bed bug control costs include the amount of clutter on the site, additional furniture that needs to be treated, and the construction of the home. Pest control professionals often have room treatment prices that can vary based on these factors. For example, a pest control company that treats a 10 x 15 foot room with light infestations might charge customers a fee$250, while a room of the same size with heavy infestations and lots of clutter could cost customers$300-$400. Clutter and higher bed bug populations mean more product and more hours for workers. Prices vary from company to company and region to region, but the national average cost of exterminating bed bugs is not$320-$400. miteheat treatmentsthey are an alternative way to destroy these pests. Heat treatments are typically priced per square foot and typically cost more than chemical or non-chemical spray solutions. While effective, they are generally not recommended for living spaces because extreme temperatures can damage televisions, display windows, and other fixtures.
Can you see a bedbug?
Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but depending on where they are in their life cycle, they can be difficult to spot. Adult bed bugs are the easiest to detect. According to theEPA, are about the size of an apple seed and as tall as a credit card. Adults are flat-oval with six legs and rusty-red in color. Bed bug larvae, also called nymphs, are yellowish-white or translucent in color and are much more difficult to detect due to their small size. The nymphs go through five life stages, shedding an exoskeleton at each stage. During these stages, the nymphs grow from about 1.5 millimeters to about 4.5 millimeters. Bed bug eggs can be the most difficult to see, as they are about 1 millimeter, about the size of the head of a pin, and are white or transparent. Bed bugs are usually most active at night because that is when they feed.
What are the signs of termites in your home?
If you see signs of termites in your home, call a trusted pest controller as soon as possible to handle the situation. Termites are wood feeders, which means they eat through the wood that forms the frame, floors, and other components of your home. Most people don't know they have termites until they discover the damage caused because termites stay hidden underground or in the wood they eat. Watch for these signs of termites:
- Water bubbles in your interior or exterior paint – If you look for paint bubbles and find termite droppings in them, this is a sign of a termite infestation.
- Frass: That's a fancy term for termite droppings. Keep an eye out for things that look like six-sided salt and peppercorns.
- Mud Tunnels: Subterranean termites move between their home in the earth and your home by building mud tunnels. Mud hoses under or to the side of your home or foundation are a sure sign of a termite infestation.
- Wings or swarms close to home: When a new colony seeks a home, they fly (swarm), then shed their wings and bury themselves in nearby wood.
- Softening of Wood or Hollowed Wood: Termites do not like paint, varnish, or other finishes on wood, so they eat the inside of the wood and leave the outer finish like a shell.