Pest Control FAQs
Having been in the extermination business for decades, we here at Professional Termite and Pest Control have seen it all!
We also know that more times than not our clients have lots of questions for us regarding all things bug and rodent related.
In an effort to make answering these questions as easy as possible we have put together the below listing of frequently asked questions and our best answers for your review.
If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our representatives. We’re always happy to help!
We also know that more times than not our clients have lots of questions for us regarding all things bug and rodent related.
In an effort to make answering these questions as easy as possible we have put together the below listing of frequently asked questions and our best answers for your review.
If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our representatives. We’re always happy to help!
Safety
Is it safe to conduct pest control myself?
Over-the-counter pest control products can be ineffective and unsafe, especially for children and pets. It's always best to consult with a professional pest control company.
Is professional pest control safe for my family and pets?
Yes. Our top priority is safety. We use only EPA-approved chemicals, and our service personnel are extensively trained in their safe and effective application.
Will I need to leave my home during extermination?
Most often, you won't need to leave your home during treatment. However, we may ask you to vacate the immediate area being treated for safety reasons.
Can I trust your pest control professionals in my home?
Absolutely. All our employees undergo thorough background checks and rigorous interviews before hiring. They are committed to professionalism and your safety.
Is it safe to conduct pest control myself?
Over-the-counter pest control products can be ineffective and unsafe, especially for children and pets. It's always best to consult with a professional pest control company.
Is professional pest control safe for my family and pets?
Yes. Our top priority is safety. We use only EPA-approved chemicals, and our service personnel are extensively trained in their safe and effective application.
Will I need to leave my home during extermination?
Most often, you won't need to leave your home during treatment. However, we may ask you to vacate the immediate area being treated for safety reasons.
Can I trust your pest control professionals in my home?
Absolutely. All our employees undergo thorough background checks and rigorous interviews before hiring. They are committed to professionalism and your safety.
Service and Scheduling
How quickly can you help with my pest problem?
Our team prides itself on efficient scheduling and we strive to provide same-day service in emergency situations. We recommend contacting us as soon as you notice a pest problem.
When will I see results after treatment?
You can expect a noticeable reduction in pest activity within one to two days of treatment. The reduction may continue over the course of one to two weeks, depending on the pest and the chosen solution.
Do I need a preventative plan?
Yes. Regular service plans are the most effective way to eliminate pests and prevent future infestations. Preventing pest problems is always better than tackling an infestation.
How quickly can you help with my pest problem?
Our team prides itself on efficient scheduling and we strive to provide same-day service in emergency situations. We recommend contacting us as soon as you notice a pest problem.
When will I see results after treatment?
You can expect a noticeable reduction in pest activity within one to two days of treatment. The reduction may continue over the course of one to two weeks, depending on the pest and the chosen solution.
Do I need a preventative plan?
Yes. Regular service plans are the most effective way to eliminate pests and prevent future infestations. Preventing pest problems is always better than tackling an infestation.
Pest Identification and Behavior
Why do pests enter my home?
Pests are drawn to homes for basic needs like food, water, and shelter. Pests in your home doesn't necessarily mean your home is unclean.
How can I differentiate between ants and termites?
Ants have elbowed antennas, a pinched waist, and unequal wing lengths. Termites have straight antennas, no waist, and equal-length wings. For accurate identification, we recommend consulting a professional.
Should I be concerned if I only see a few insects?
The sight of even a few insects could indicate a larger infestation. Some pests can be hazardous to health or property, so it's best to consult a professional if you notice potential pests in your home.
Why do pests enter my home?
Pests are drawn to homes for basic needs like food, water, and shelter. Pests in your home doesn't necessarily mean your home is unclean.
How can I differentiate between ants and termites?
Ants have elbowed antennas, a pinched waist, and unequal wing lengths. Termites have straight antennas, no waist, and equal-length wings. For accurate identification, we recommend consulting a professional.
Should I be concerned if I only see a few insects?
The sight of even a few insects could indicate a larger infestation. Some pests can be hazardous to health or property, so it's best to consult a professional if you notice potential pests in your home.
Types of Pests
What are the signs of a cockroach infestation?
Signs include seeing live or dead roaches, spotting droppings, or noticing a musty odor. Roaches may also leave behind egg cases.
How can I tell if I have bedbugs?
Signs include waking up with itchy welts, noticing tiny blood stains on your sheets, and spotting small, dark spots (bedbug excrement) on bedding or nearby walls.
What does a termite infestation look like?
Signs include visible mud tubes on walls, floors, and ceilings, hollow-sounding wood when tapped, and discarded wings from swarmers.
What are the signs of a rodent infestation?
Signs include droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, nests, and foul odors. You may also hear scratching noises, especially at night.
How can I identify different types of ants?
Ants can be identified by size, color, and shape. Carpenter ants are large and black, fire ants are reddish and aggressive, and sugar ants are small and attracted to sweet foods.
What are the signs of a cockroach infestation?
Signs include seeing live or dead roaches, spotting droppings, or noticing a musty odor. Roaches may also leave behind egg cases.
How can I tell if I have bedbugs?
Signs include waking up with itchy welts, noticing tiny blood stains on your sheets, and spotting small, dark spots (bedbug excrement) on bedding or nearby walls.
What does a termite infestation look like?
Signs include visible mud tubes on walls, floors, and ceilings, hollow-sounding wood when tapped, and discarded wings from swarmers.
What are the signs of a rodent infestation?
Signs include droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, nests, and foul odors. You may also hear scratching noises, especially at night.
How can I identify different types of ants?
Ants can be identified by size, color, and shape. Carpenter ants are large and black, fire ants are reddish and aggressive, and sugar ants are small and attracted to sweet foods.
Prevention and Control
How can I prevent pests in my home?
Regularly clean your home, don't leave food out, seal cracks and gaps in walls and doors, and maintain your yard. Regular pest control services can also help.
What attracts pests into my house?
Common attractants include food, water, shelter, and warm conditions. Unsealed food, dampness, clutter, and open access points can all draw pests inside.
Do electronic pest repellents work?
Electronic pest repellents have mixed reviews. Some people find them effective while others don't. They are not a substitute for professional pest control.
How do I keep mice away from my property?
Keep your property clean, especially the kitchen and dining area. Seal potential entrances, and don't leave food out. Use mousetraps if necessary.
Can essential oils deter pests?
Some essential oils, like peppermint, can deter certain pests. However, they're not a guaranteed or long-term solution, especially for larger infestations.
How can I prevent pests in my home?
Regularly clean your home, don't leave food out, seal cracks and gaps in walls and doors, and maintain your yard. Regular pest control services can also help.
What attracts pests into my house?
Common attractants include food, water, shelter, and warm conditions. Unsealed food, dampness, clutter, and open access points can all draw pests inside.
Do electronic pest repellents work?
Electronic pest repellents have mixed reviews. Some people find them effective while others don't. They are not a substitute for professional pest control.
How do I keep mice away from my property?
Keep your property clean, especially the kitchen and dining area. Seal potential entrances, and don't leave food out. Use mousetraps if necessary.
Can essential oils deter pests?
Some essential oils, like peppermint, can deter certain pests. However, they're not a guaranteed or long-term solution, especially for larger infestations.
DIY Pest Control
Can vinegar kill bugs?
Vinegar can kill some bugs, but it isn't a comprehensive or long-term pest control solution. It's best used in conjunction with other methods.
Does baking soda kill cockroaches?
While some sources suggest that baking soda can kill cockroaches, its effectiveness isn't guaranteed. Professional pest control is a more reliable option.
How effective are home remedies for pest control?
Home remedies can be a temporary solution but often fail to tackle infestations fully and prevent future ones. They should not replace professional pest control.
Is Borax safe for pest control?
While Borax can be used against certain pests, it's potentially harmful to children and pets. Professional pest control options are safer and often more effective.
Can I use bleach to kill pests?
Bleach may kill some pests on contact, but it's not an effective method for controlling a pest infestation and can be harmful if not used correctly.
Can vinegar kill bugs?
Vinegar can kill some bugs, but it isn't a comprehensive or long-term pest control solution. It's best used in conjunction with other methods.
Does baking soda kill cockroaches?
While some sources suggest that baking soda can kill cockroaches, its effectiveness isn't guaranteed. Professional pest control is a more reliable option.
How effective are home remedies for pest control?
Home remedies can be a temporary solution but often fail to tackle infestations fully and prevent future ones. They should not replace professional pest control.
Is Borax safe for pest control?
While Borax can be used against certain pests, it's potentially harmful to children and pets. Professional pest control options are safer and often more effective.
Can I use bleach to kill pests?
Bleach may kill some pests on contact, but it's not an effective method for controlling a pest infestation and can be harmful if not used correctly.
Pest Control Costs
How much does professional pest control cost?
The cost varies depending on the type and severity of the infestation, the treatment needed, and the size of your property. Contact us for an accurate quote.
Are pest control services worth the money?
Yes. DIY methods can be ineffective, time-consuming, and even dangerous. Professional pest control provides a more reliable, long-term solution and can prevent property damage.
Do you offer any discounts or packages?
We offer various packages to cater to different needs and budgets. Contact our team for more information on discounts and package deals.
Do you provide free inspections?
Yes, we provide free inspections to determine the severity and type of pest infestation. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
How much does professional pest control cost?
The cost varies depending on the type and severity of the infestation, the treatment needed, and the size of your property. Contact us for an accurate quote.
Are pest control services worth the money?
Yes. DIY methods can be ineffective, time-consuming, and even dangerous. Professional pest control provides a more reliable, long-term solution and can prevent property damage.
Do you offer any discounts or packages?
We offer various packages to cater to different needs and budgets. Contact our team for more information on discounts and package deals.
Do you provide free inspections?
Yes, we provide free inspections to determine the severity and type of pest infestation. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Services and Locations
Do you provide services for commercial properties?
Yes, we offer comprehensive pest control services for both residential and commercial properties.
What types of pests do you specialize in?
We specialize in a broad range of pests, including but not limited to ants, cockroaches, bedbugs, termites, and rodents.
Do you offer same-day services?
Yes, we strive to provide same-day services, especially in cases of emergency or health risk.
What locations do you serve?
We proudly serve all of Hudson County and beyond. Contact us to verify if we cover your specific location.
Do you provide seasonal pest control services? Yes, we provide seasonal pest control services tailored to the specific pests common during different times of the year.
Miscellaneous
Why is pest control necessary?
Pests can damage property, contaminate food, spread diseases, and create an uncomfortable environment in your home or business.
What makes Professional Termite and Pest Control stand out?
We're known for our quick response times, friendly staff, punctual appointments, expert technicians, and local ownership.
How often should I schedule pest control?
For general preventive measures, scheduling service quarterly is common. However, the frequency depends on the type and severity of the pest problem.
What should I do if I see a pest after treatment?
If you notice pests 14 days after service, please call us to schedule a follow-up service. Regular monitoring is part of our service.
Why is pest control necessary?
Pests can damage property, contaminate food, spread diseases, and create an uncomfortable environment in your home or business.
What makes Professional Termite and Pest Control stand out?
We're known for our quick response times, friendly staff, punctual appointments, expert technicians, and local ownership.
How often should I schedule pest control?
For general preventive measures, scheduling service quarterly is common. However, the frequency depends on the type and severity of the pest problem.
What should I do if I see a pest after treatment?
If you notice pests 14 days after service, please call us to schedule a follow-up service. Regular monitoring is part of our service.