Alamo Heights Pest Control

Carpenter ants can either be a small nuisance or a serious pest that can cause serious structural damage to your home. When the weather is mild, it may not be uncommon to see a stray carpenter ant around your home. If you see more than this though, it is a cause for concern and you should seek out a professional inspection. An <strongAlamo Heights pest control technician will locate the source, identify the size of the infestation, and eliminate it for you.</strong

Our pest control specialists prioritize the safety of you and your family above everything else. Our technicians at Stride Pest Control all receive the proper training on applying solutions in a manner that provides a healthy and safe environment for you, your family, and your pets.

There are many preventative steps you can take to keep the outside of your home safe from pests. The main steps to take include:

• Examine the outside of your home and seal any holes or cracks found around vents, windows, doors, and utility lines.
• Inspect the perimeter of your home and fix any leaky faucets or anything else that causes moisture to collect around the foundation of your home.
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters.
• Trim shrubbery and tree branches so they are not touching the exterior of your home.
• Store firewood off the ground and at least 20 feet away from the sides of the home.

The best prevention tips for keeping pests away from the inside of your home are as follows:

• Keep the entire kitchen clean, including the floors, and do not allow clutter to build up on the counters.
• Clean up all crumbs and spills as soon as they occur.
• Store food, including dog food, in resealable containers that are hard and not easy to rip open, such as glass or plastic jars.
• Empty the garbage regularly. Store all trash in sealed, animal-proof containers.
• Check all pipes and areas around pipes for cracks, leaks, and gaps. If you find any, patch and seal them quickly.
• Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces dry and well ventilated. If you find any mold or mildew, it is a sign of excessive moisture, which could attract a pest problem.
• Inspect anything you bring into the home carefully. Pests are known to use luggage and potted plants to enter a home.

It is not always easy to detect a pest problem right away, and some critters are particularly good at hiding their presence. However, all pests will leave signs that they are sharing your space with you at some point. The signs you see of pests will vary depending on the type of pest you are dealing with.

The most common signs of termites and other wood-destroying insects are wood shavings coming from the walls, particularly when there are holes in them. If you have a cockroach problem, you may find their nests in areas that are out of the way, such as behind baseboards, cabinets, and behind water heaters.

It is almost impossible to treat termites on your own. One termite colony can include millions of termites and to entirely eliminate the problem, you have to get rid of every single one. Termite control technicians have the expertise, training, and technology to completely get rid of an infestation. A specialist will also use a safe and effective combination of liquids and baits. Liquids are applied to the exterior of the home to prevent termites from invading, and baits can trap any termites currently on the property.

Treatment for cockroaches depends largely on the type of species that has taken over your space. This is why it is particularly important to work with a professional pest control service that can identify the species that are causing a problem and create a plan that will eliminate them effectively. The most common solutions used to get rid of cockroaches consist of using pesticides and baits. Insect growth regulators are also sometimes used, which prevents the pests from molting and growing.

While all the products we use are perfectly safe for you and your family, many people feel more comfortable vacating the premises while sprays are applied. If you or someone in your family has a condition that may become irritated by chemicals, such as asthma, we recommend that they are out of the home while we spray, and even for several hours afterward.

If a spray is applied, it is best to allow it to fully dry before you handle anything in that area. Areas that are to be sprayed should be cleaned prior to the pest control treatment being applied. Any rugs or carpets that you wish to vacuum or clean should also be done before the pest control treatment.

There is not a lot required of you before getting a treatment done. Access to the edges of a room is often necessary, so any materials on the floor should be picked up. During the initial consultation, an Alamo Heights pest control technician may also recommend other steps to take prior to the treatment.

It is not uncommon to see a few pests after treatment. The solutions we use are very irritating for them and they may emerge from their hiding spaces as they become disoriented and the pesticide begins to work. Of course, other pests may also wander in from the outdoors. However, all of these bugs will have come into contact with the control solution. Even those that were not on your premises before will have crossed a barrier that will kill them soon. If you continue to see pests 10 to 14 days after treatment, you should contact the professional for a follow-up visit.