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Pre-Appointment Checklists

When preparing for your Total Exterminating Technician to come and treat your home or business, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that the job is done the best it can be.  Download the appropriate checklist below.

Pest Control FAQ’s

How Long Does Pest Control Take?

It depends case-by-case. Certain pests take longer to deal with than others, and certain homes are larger and more complicated to service than others. Some treatments may only take 30 minutes while others may take up to 8 hours depending on the severity and type of treatment that is needed.

How Long Does it Take For Pest Control to Work?

In most cases, you can expect to see a significant and noticeable reduction in pest activity within one to two days. The exact timeframe depends on the pest we’re dealing with along with the choice of materials necessary to provide the best long-term results.

In some cases, you will actually see a slight increase in pest activity right after our initial treatment. This is a good sign! This means the pesticides are working. We have disrupted their normal breeding and feeding habits, and are looking for a new place to live – the only difference now is that pesticide is all over them. They are not going to last long. Give it a week or two to die down, but give us a call if they persist past that time – we may need to give them another round.

Is Pest Control Really Necessary?

If you’re inquiring about pest inspection and/or pest control, chances are you’ve tried to solve the issue yourself. While taking things into your own hands is great in some instances, pest control almost always requires more strategy and attention than you can give it. More often than not, homeowners tend to lack the expertise and time to handle most pest-related situations that are commonly encountered in or around a home or business. If you’d like to nip your pest control problem in the bud right now, call us today!

How Are Pests Getting in My Home?

There are numerous ways that pests can enter a home. Ants, roaches, and even mice can enter through impossibly tiny cracks and crevices as they search for food and shelter. To lessen the chances of pests intruding into your home, be sure to keep any branches, shrubs, piles of firewood, decorative rocks, and any other aspect of landscaping well-maintained.

For example, if you’ve got a pile of firewood adjacent to your home, be sure to roll around the logs every so often to decrease the chance of pests beginning to form nests in the area, or have them raised off the ground. Properly stacking any piles of firewood would also be beneficial and optimal.

Spiders, ants, and other pests have been known to use trees, shrubs, and parts of gardens as ladders into homes through windows, cracks in brick siding, etc. Before applying any treatment, Total Exterminating inspects and pinpoints potential problem areas that may need to be tended to, but it is your job to make sure that these areas get the alteration that they need.

Can I Get Rid of Pests on My Own?

There are several temporary solutions that may work for a short period of time, but in our experience, continued pest control is achieved through going above and beyond normal practices. 

Amateur applications of over-the-counter, basic pest control products are nearly always ineffective, and take multiple time-consuming attempts. Like any chemical, pesticides need to be used with caution. Our certified technicians will ensure that the job is done right, and according to the law.

Is Pest Control Safe for Kids and Pets?

Total Exterminating’s first priority is the safety and happiness of our customers, as well as being as environmentally friendly as possible.  All of our materials are EPA approved and biodegradable and all technicians have been thoroughly trained on industry safety regulations and guidelines. The products we use are the same products that are used on sensitive areas, such as schools and hospitals. We take pride in providing pet-friendly and kid-friendly pest solutions to our clients.

How Long Should Pest Control Last?

The strongest products on the market last 60-90 days. After that, they biodegrade and become a part of the natural environment; otherwise, they wouldn’t be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The weather also affects the efficacy of our treatments – but not as much as you’d think. Next time it rains, look at the base of your home; chances are, it’s still dry.  This means the barrier spray is still going strong.  And for our yard treatment, the granules we use are water activated, so the rain is actually beneficial.

Is Preventative Pest Control Necessary for My Home and Business?

YES! A preventative plan is the only plan that works for bugs.  They are going to return one way or another. It will be up to you to decide whether you want your home protected when they do come.  If there is not pesticide preventing them from coming inside, what is stopping them from getting inside your home?

Offering coverage against numerous pests native to Indianapolis and surrounding areas, be sure to ask us any questions related to maintaining a pest-free home for years to come. We love answering questions and will help any way we’re able to.

When Can I Clean After Pest Control?

Usually, it’s safe to clean your home after pest control treatment about 3-5 days after the treatment took place. If part of your treatment included leaving bait around your home, you should be able to clean around them as long as you stay away from the bait.

It’s always a good idea to clean before the exterminator arrives, this way you won’t have to wait too long between cleaning your home.

Should I Shampoo my Carpet Before My House is Treated for Pests?

Shampooing your carpet before the treatment will definitely maximize your treatment. At times, carpets can act as nests for pests’ eggs. Anything that could act as a nest for pest eggs needs to be dealt with as well as possible to receive optimal results from your pest control service.

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, please feel free to send us a message and one of our associates will get back with you as soon as possible.

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