What products do you use?
The product depends on the problem. The problem determines the product. For pest control we use materials approved by the IPM Institutes GreenShield Certification. For vector control for tick & mosquitoes we use only natural materials unless requested by a customer or to deal for a specific issue, the example being tick tubes. For termite control we use either Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System or Altriset. For lawn care, we use materials selected for lawn based on the conditions on your site combined with your material preferences.
Will the products or procedures you use harm my children or pets?
Any material that presents a risk we will communicate with you about ahead of time and at the time of application. For pest control the materials applied will not present a risk to your children or pets. For bedbug or flea control inside, there will be a restricted reentry time after application. For outside vector control for ticks & mosquitoes there is no restriction to using the space immediately after treatment, but we recommend you keep off until dry because the material may have an odor. For lawn care applications, fertilizer applications do down dry and then are watered in. After watering, we recommend you keep off the lawn until it is dry. For weed control applications they are applied as a liquid, so keep off until they dry.
Will rain wash away the treatment you performed?
If we are caught in a sudden rain event we will cease any application and set up to resume at the next appropriate time. Most liquid applications are rainfast within 20 minutes. If we suspect the application was impacted by a rain event, we will set up a re – application when it is appropriate to do so.
What about refunds?
We have a money back guarantee on everything we do and sell. If you are not 100% satisfied, let us know and we will credit your charges. For tangible items like dehumidifiers we will remove the item and then process a refund.
Can I change serivce programs or cancel at any time?
You can always change your service program or cancel at any time. The only cavaet is the changed plan has to be something that can be done. For example we offer one time services to treat yellowjackets and monthly or every other month service to treat mice. You could not switch your yellowjacket service to monthly or your mouse service to a one time.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes! We offer senior citizen discounts of 5% off, plus a prepay discount for recurring services including pest control, lawn care and vector control of 5%. Termite customers set up for automatic monthly bank account debits (ACH) for termite renewals save 5% annually. We keep the bank account number on file and auto debit the termite each month.
How do I pay my bill?
We accept cash, checks and credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Payment is due at time of service. We set up most customers with an automatic payment by bank account (ACH) or credit card with the charges posting after service is completed.
Can I do a one time service?
Some pests, like fleas, bedbugs and yellow jacket / wasp nests can be treated with a one-time application. Other issues require ongoing service by a professional like us, or by you. Pest control and lawn care are necessary services that have to be done for properties on an ongoing basis. Like cleaning the inside or your home, pest control and lawn care can not be done successfully just once.
Lawns need measured amount of fertility throughout the growing season with different ratios of nitrogen and potassium based on the time of year. Lawns need soil testing every other year to determine buffer pH, phosphorous levels, micro nutrient levels and cation exchange. Lawns need aeration and over seeding every year.
Pest control service involves inspecting the foundation inside and out to keep terrestrial pests at bay with exclusion or control material applications. The foundation is the front line of your home to keep it pest free and someone has to go around to check the areas conducive to pest activity and address those areas proactively before the pests are making their presence felt.
For both lawn and pest control we will recommend a service frequency based on the type of issues you have, the location and type of structure.
What are termite stakes?
Termite stakes are wooden stakes we install against the foundation of your home, usually one by the front door and one by the back door, to detect termites foraging in the soil next to your home. If termites show up active in the stakes it is time to treat or retreat the structure. The are also called termite monitors, termi-tells, and term-mometers.
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Safety Questions
Will the products you use harm my children or my pets?
Your safety is our primary purpose. We select the lowest impact material and apply the smallest amount in the correct location to minimize exposure to non targets. To minimize exposure for bed bug or flea indoor applications we may ask you to leave the property until the material dries. For lawn care applications water application and then keep off until dry. If Tenacity or a liquid weed spray was used for weed control, wait 24 hours before watering.
How do I safely clean up mouse or rodent droppings? Or dead rodents?
DO NOT SWEEP OR VACUUM. This can cause particles to become airborne. You may end up inhaling them.
- Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning rodent droppings.
- Spray the urine and droppings with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water and let soak 5 minutes.
- Use a paper towel to pick up the urine and droppings, and dispose of the waste in the garbage.
How can I keep my family and pets from setting off mouse traps?
In areas people and pets can normally access, we place the traps inside boxes so they can not be disturbed by you, your family or pets. In the unlikely event a person or pet gets stuck to an insect monitor (glue trap) remove it by using vegetable oil or cooking spray and pulling gently. Vegetable oil removes glue.
Application Questions
Will rain wash away pest/lawn/vector applications?
Structural pest applications can be applied even in the rain in most cases because we focus treatments on the foundation and siding junction which should not get wet in the rain. Lawn and plant health care applications are generally rainfast within 20 to 30 minutes. In the event of a surprise downpour, our technician will automatically schedule a follow up service 7 days later. If you have any concerns, we can always return for another treatment at no additional cost.
Can my lawn mower remove the granular fertilizer from my lawn?
No, granular fertilizer cannot be removed by mowing it. But you should always leave your clippings on your lawn. Lawn clippings are mostly nitrogen and water and should be left to make your lawn healthier. Don’t bag the clippings, don’t let your landscaper bag the clippings. Clippings don’t lead to thatch and are not thatch. If you have clumps of clippings in the lawn after mowing hit them with a rake or blower to disburse them.
Is there a smell after an application?
There should never be smells after an indoor application. If you smell something inside, call us, there may be a dead rodent we need to remove. Outside applications may have odors. Organic lawn fertilizer and compost tea will often have an earthy smell especially after a rain. Vector tick and mosquito applications will smell minty or like someone is making root beer. Spider applications will smell like lemon or vinegar.