What are the signs of pests in your home?
Signs of pest infestations vary by the type of pest. Here are a few signs to watch out for when it comes to some of the most common pests:
- Ants: Stray ants walking around or large numbers congregating, wood shavings, ants emerging from hidden crevices, ant nests
- Rats or mice: Droppings, chewed objects and wires, scampering noises, holes in walls and floors
- Cockroaches: Cylindrical droppings, brown smear marks, live cockroaches
- Fleas: Small and dark spots on your pet’s skin, your pet starts scratching excessively, pepper-like “flea dirt” in bedding, carpet or furniture
- Bed bugs: Droppings in the seams of your mattress, rusty/reddish stains on bed sheets, bites on your skin
- Termites: Mud tubes, wood-scented droppings, small holes in walls, peeling or bubbling paint, wood damage
- Bees or wasps: Excessive number of bees and wasps, dark patches on the walls or ceilings, and papery nests or hives under roof eaves, behind shutters, on balconies or in garden sheds
If you notice any of these signs in your house, contact the best exterminators near you.
How often should pest control be done?
This depends on several factors, including:
- The type of pest
- The severity of the invasion
- Your home’s characteristics
- The quality of the pest control company’s work
In some cases, you might require pest control services three to four times a year. Or, you might need services monthly or every few months.
Talk to the best exterminators near you to get an idea of what type of service you need — and how many times you’ll need follow-up treatments.
How much does it cost to get rid of cockroaches?
Cockroaches are not only ugly, they are difficult to get rid of. Quick and resilient, they can be hard to get rid of without professional help once they have inhabited a house. Nationally, the average range for cockroach pest control cost is $80-$130. Extermination professionals typically provide a free estimate to determine the extent of the infestation. They’ll check for the main sources of the bugs, identify bug access and entry points into your home, and determine the best method for elimination. There are a variety of cockroach extermination tools including gel baits and traps, pesticide foggers, desiccants (which dry out the cockroaches), neurotoxins, and other pesticides. Pest control costs can also cover preventive measures like regular spraying and trap maintenance. Some regions of the country are much more prone to cockroach problems than others, so pest control costs may need to be part of your quarterly budget. Cockroaches love dark, humid, and warm areas and water sources, so place traps near your washer and dryer and under your sinks.
Do I need to leave the house for pest control?
It depends on the type of pest control service you require. Your exterminator can often tell you beforehand which products they’ll be using and where they’ll be applying it.
If the pest control company will be applying toxic chemicals, limit your exposure, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. For example, consider leaving your house during application and ventilate your home thoroughly when you return. And always keep your pets and their supplies away from the applied pesticides.
Talk to pest control companies near you for advice on what you should do while they’re treating your home for pests.
How do you get rid of ants?
The best way to get rid of ants is to hire an ant exterminator near you. The exterminator can also help you find the source of the problem that’s drawing ants into your home.
After they’re done treating your home, you can invest in ant baits to keep infestations at bay. It’s also important to take preventative steps to avoid ants.
For example, always clean up crumbs and wipe down surfaces to eliminate potential food sources. Regularly take out the trash, fix leaky pipes, store your food in sealed containers and seal cracks near your kitchen cabinets.
Here are more tips on how to get rid of ants (for good).
Is monthly pest control necessary?
Monthly pest control service is only necessary for certain situations. For example, severe ant or cockroach infestations may require monthly pest control in order to destroy the infestations at the source.
Talk to the best exterminators near you to get an idea of what type of service you need — and how many times you’ll need follow-up treatments.
How much does it cost for a pest control service?
Whether you need to get rid of bugs or rodents, pest removal professionals can be lifesaving when you have an infestation. Pest control prices will vary based on what type of pest is being removed. The national pest control price range is $80-$130, although prices can be much higher for tasks like wildlife removal (raccoons, bobcats, etc.), which might start at $250 and exceed $500, depending on the animal and the trapping measures required.
The cost of eliminating a termite colony ranges on average from $240 to $400, but these costs can increase greatly if the whole house is infested. The average cost to kill cockroaches is between $80 and $130, while bedbug extermination ranges from $320 to $400 on average. The main factors that will affect your pest control price are the type of pest, the extent of the infestation, the accessibility of the infested areas, and the type of treatment required.
How do you get rid of wasps?
Calling a wasp exterminator near you is the best way to get rid of wasps.
A wasp exterminator will begin by identifying the type of wasp that has invaded your home. They’ll also be able to tell if it’s just a wasp look-alike or the real deal.
Professionals use several different methods to remove stinging insects, such as vacuuming, getting rid of the wasp’s food and shelter, or cleaning and sanitizing your yard space.
How do you get rid of roaches?
A professional cockroach exterminator should be able to identify the type of roach that’s invaded your home and help get rid of them quickly. Afterward, you can keep the cockroaches away by cleaning up spills, keeping food safely contained, sealing cracks and holes, and reducing moisture buildup.
How long do you have to stay out of your house after pest control?
It depends on the type of pest control you’re receiving and what the company recommends.
For some treatments, they might recommend you leave the house for a few hours or for a few days if your home is getting fumigated. In other cases, the exterminator may tell you don’t need to leave your house at all — just stay away from the area that was sprayed with pesticide until it dries.
Before they arrive at your home, ask the exterminator if you should plan to leave your house for a certain period of time.