General Pest Control Questions
What can I expect at an appointment?
During your first treatment, the technician will conduct an inspection and give you a written estimate for the service. If you opt to have the service completed that day, you can. The initial treatment is usually 30 minutes.
How long does each appointment take?
Each treatment takes about twenty minutes, unless you have a larger home. The bed bug treatments will take longer. When you schedule your appointment, you can ask for a time estimate based on the square footage of your home.
Do you offer service plans?
We offer three basic service plans. Each of the plans include quarterly inspections and free resprays as needed. We offer a basic conventional treatment plan and a green plan. We also offer a plan that includes termite treatments.
Do I need to be home for an appointment?
You do not need to be home during a treatment. We can apply the treatment if you give us access to your property. The technician will leave a note with the date and time of the service. It will detail any treatments that were applied.
Are the treatments safe for children?
At EcoTek, we use the safest products available on the market. The products will not harm either you or your children. You can be home during the treatment without worrying. Our technicians are trained in safely applying the products.
Are my pets safe during an appointment?
Animals are attracted to pesticides when they are wet. We ask that you have the pets removed from the property during the treatment and for four hours after the treatment is completed. This allows the treatment to dry completely and it will allow you pets to return when it is safe.
Do you offer same day service?
We offer same day service in most cases. Call us today to schedule your appointment. Our technicians are standing by ready to help you deal with any pest control problems you may have. We offer free inspections and estimates.
Do you offer organic treatment options?
We offer both conventional and organic treatment options for most of our services. Both options are safe for you and your home. Our technician can discuss which treatments will work best to eliminate pests in your current situation.
To schedule an appointment or ask us a question, simply give us a call or fill out our contact form.
Ant Control
How do I prevent ants?
The best way to prevent ants is to make sure you do not have any leaking pipes. Ants need a steady source of water. It is also important to limit any food sources by keeping your food to one room of the house. You should also wipe any crumbs and sweep frequently.
How do I keep ants from coming back?
In order to prevent ants from coming back, you will need to eliminate their queen. When you do this, you will eliminate the colony. Our technicians can also provide a barrier spray that will stop new colonies of ants from coming into your home.
What are signs of an ant colony outside?
The signs depend on the types of ants that you are dealing with. Fire ant mounds can be quite large. However, they will enter through tunnels and not at the top of the mound. You may see sand dirt at the entrance of the mound. Some ants have a large portion of their colony underground.
How do I prevent fire ants?
Fire ants are an invasive species. There is not much you can do to prevent them. It is important to treat for them as soon as you see signs of an infestation. Fire ants have extensive tunnels which makes it difficult to kill a colony. The professionals can exterminate fire ants and give you back your yard.
Do carpenter ants look different from other ants?
Carpenter ants are bigger than household ants. They are completely black. Fire ants are also larger than household ants but are reddish in color. You will see carpenter ants in wood, or in your home, while fire ants tend to stay outside.
Do fire ant colonies/mounds look different from other ants?
Fire ant mounds tend to be bigger than other ants’. Fire ant entrances are along the side of the mound or in the tunneling system around the mound, so there will not be a hole at the top of the mound. Other ants will have the entrance on the top of the ant hill.
What damage can carpenter ants do?
Carpenter ants can cause damage similar to fire ants. They will chew the wood in your home to build colonies inside of it. They do not feed on the wood, but it still causes structural damage. They may also chew through wires which can cause fire hazards.
To learn more about ants, read 8 Facts About Ants
Termite Control
How much will termites affect my property value?
Termites can damage the structural integrity of your home. The damage is what can reduce your property value. However, once you make the repairs and continue to have treatments and inspections, your property value will return to what it was previously.
When should I get my home inspected for termites?
It is recommended to have your home inspected annually for termites. You can schedule a free termite inspection with us each year. The spring and early summer is when the termites swarm to find a new colony and it is a good idea to schedule your inspections during this time.
What steps can I take to prevent termites?
There are a few things you can do to make it more difficult for termites to invade your home. Avoid stacking wood against your home, and do not use wood mulch in the beds that are next to your home. If you use treated wood in your deck and other outside buildings, termites will not eat the wood. Repairing leaks and keeping your roof in good condition will also keep termites out.
How do I tell that I have termites and not ants?
Termites have wider waists than ants. They have straight antennae and the double set of wings are about the same size. Ants have smaller waists with clearly segmented bodies. Their antennae are bent and the wings are different sizes. If you see the two together, you can easily tell the difference.
How do termites damage my property?
Termites will damage your property by eating the wood in your home. This can cause serious structural damage depending on where they eat. They can damage floor joists or supporting walls. Some termites will also eat through the casings around electrical wires which can create a fire hazard.
How do the chemical free monitoring stations work?
The chemical free monitoring stations have wood and cellulose in the core. This naturally attracts the termites. Our technicians will check the stations quarterly. If termites are found, then they will begin treating your property to eliminate the termites.
How fast do I need to call if I think I have termites?
A single termite colony can eat through a pound of wood a day. Often there is more than one colony in your home. The damage that they can do can compound quickly, and the more your repairs will cost. It is important to call as soon as you suspect you may have termites.
Bed Bug Control
How do bed bugs find victims?
Bed bugs find victims by the CO2 they are emitting. They are also drawn to the heat source. They do not see very well, but can still quickly find you in the dark. Bed bugs are the most active in the hour just before dawn. However, they will feed whenever the find a victim.
How did I end up with bed bugs with a clean home?
Bed bugs are not a result of having a messy home. Most people bring them home after staying at a hotel. The bed bugs will crawl into your luggage at night and then catch a ride home. Before you unpack check your hotel room for signs of bed bugs. Be sure to keep your luggage off of the bed and floor and check it before you come home.
Will I need to leave during treatment?
You do not need to leave during the bed bug treatment. You will want to make sure that your room is free of clutter and that you wash your bedding in hot water and dry on high heat. If you have pets they will need to leave during the treatment and for four hours after it is completed.
Are bed bugs nocturnal?
Bed bugs are nocturnal. In fact, they are most active the hour before dawn. However, this does not mean that you will not get bitten during the day. A bed bug may decide to take advantage of any naps that you may take. They can also make their home in sofas or other furniture.
Can bed bugs fly?
Bed bugs cannot fly, but they can run quickly. They like to hide near where they feed, so you can look for them around your headboard or in the baseboards in your bed. They may also make their home in your box springs or mattress.
Can bed bugs make me sick?
Bed bugs can catch diseases from people, but they do not spread them to others. However, people can have severe allergic reactions to bed bug bites. Even if you are not annoying the small, red bites are extremely itchy and can be difficult to use.
How do I tell the difference between fleas and bed bugs?
Bed bug bites may be anywhere on you. They will bite you several times during each feeding session, and the bites will appear in a straight line. Flea bites tend to be around your ankles, and they will not be in a distinct pattern.
Learn the 5 Steps to Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home on Your Next Trip
Cockroach Control
How can I prevent cockroaches?
One of the best ways to prevent cockroaches is to fix any leaky pipes in your home. Roaches need water to survive. Keeping your home clean and free of clutter can also help. Additionally, if you seal cracks around the doors and windows and trim back overhanging branches you can help to prevent roaches.
How do cockroaches get in the home?
Cockroaches often wander in your home through cracks around your doors or windows. Larger roaches may come in through the vents on your roof. They may also catch a ride inside a package or shopping bags. Roaches like cardboard, so you should avoid storing it inside of your home.
What are signs of cockroaches?
The most obvious sign of cockroaches is seeing them inside of your home. You may also notice droppings, which resemble pepper along the walls. Egg casings, which are rectangular and the color of the roaches, are another sign that there may be an issue.
How do I find cockroach nests?
Cockroaches like to make their nests in small spaces. They usually like somewhere dark and hard to get to. They commonly hide behind underneath the refrigerator in cupboards or behind them. They like the space to be free from vibrations. When performing a cockroach treatment, our technician can use a flushing agent to help the roaches run out of their nests.
Can I have more than one type of roach in my home at once?
It is possible to have more than one type of cockroach in your home at a time. German cockroaches are the most common. They are about ½ inches in length and are a light brown color. Oriental roaches are a similar size but black. The American roaches are reddish brown and grow up to 1 1/2 inches long.
What diseases do cockroaches spread?
Cockroaches carry bacteria that can make you sick. They spread it by getting into your food and running over the dishes in your cupboards. They can also cause issues with people who have allergies or asthma, because they can make these conditions worse.
How do I effectively clean up after a cockroach infestation?
You will need to clean up any areas with a nest by sweeping it out and then using hot soapy water or a bleach spray to clean the germs. You will need to make sure that is completely clear of any remaining debris. Be sure to move the refrigerator and clean around it.
Learn interesting facts about cockroaches from our Indestructible Cockroach infographic and 10 Facts About Cockroaches
Flea and Tick Control
What are the signs of a flea infestation?
If you notice bites around your ankles, you likely have fleas. However, you will likely notice issues with your pets before you are bitten. They may be scratching a lot or may be miserable in general. You can check them with a flea comb or by looking in their fur for fleas.
Can fleas fly?
Fleas cannot fly. However, they are excellent jumpers. They can jump up to 7 inches in height and up to 13 inches away. This is quite a feat if you think about the small size of a flea. This is how they move from host to host. They will also wait on objects to jump onto a passing host.
How does my home get fleas?
Flea infestations are usually a result of something or someone bringing fleas into your home. If you have pets, they are the likely culprits, but fleas can catch a ride in on you or another family member. Fleas may also come in on rodents or other wildlife.
How can I prevent a flea infestation?
The best way to prevent a flea infestation is to use a preventative product on your pets. There are three basic options: a flea collar, flea drops you apply to their fur or oral medication. Your vet can help you determine the best option for your pets. You can also have a flea and tick barrier spray treatment applied to your yard to prevent your pets from catching fleas outside.
How do ticks get inside my home?
Ticks find their way inside in your home usually by riding in on someone. They may already be attached to you or they may be crawling on your clothes. It is important to change clothes shortly after you get home from a tick infested area and to check yourself for ticks. You should also check your pets for ticks on a regular basis.
Why are ticks dangerous?
Ticks are dangerous because they can spread serious and debilitating illnesses. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountains potted fever are two of the more common ones. The lone star tick can also cause people to develop an allergy to meat after they are bitten.
What are signs of a tick bite?
Most people will not realize they are bitten by a tick unless they find the tick on themselves. Other signs can include the common rashes caused by ticks. Lyme disease has a bull’s eye rash. Rocky Mountain spotted fever causes a rash of spots around the wrists and ankles.
If you think you might have have fleas or ticks, visit our Flea and Tick Control page for more information.
Rodent Control
What types of traps do you use?
We use humane traps and bait to remove rodents in your home or business. We will check the traps every day or every other day until your home is clear of rodents. The bait stations will help to eliminate the rodents quickly so that you can rest easy.
How long will it take to clear out an infestation?
It depends on the size of the infestation. If you only have one or two mice, it should only take a few days, but if you have a large number in your house it may take up to a week. We will keep working with you until your home is rodent free.
What is the decontamination process?
In order to decontaminate your home, we will use a chemical that quickly clears up any orders that may be there as a result of a dead rodent. We will also work to remove any dead rodents on your property. It is important to clean any areas with a bleach solution while wearing a mask and gloves.
What are signs of a rodent infestation?
The first sign may be the scratching that you hear in walls or in your ceiling late at night. Other signs include finding droppings around your home. They may be along the walls or near food sources. You may also find chewed up food or paper that they are using to make a nest.
What can I do to prevent a rodent infestation?
The best way to stop a rodent infestation is to stop them from coming in your home. You can do this by checking around your foundation for holes. It is also important to check your attic for any holes. You can install exclusion barriers to stop it from being an issue.
What diseases do rodents carry?
Rodents can carry, rat bite fever, hantavirus and hemorrhagic fever. They can also bring in fleas that spread other diseases like the plague. They may also spread salmonellosis. It is important to carefully clean up after you have an issue with rodents. Learn more about the dangers of rats and mice.
How soon can I schedule an appointment?
We offer same day appointments in most cases, so call us before 12 noon and we’ll schedule you in for that day. We know that you want to take care of this problem as quickly as possible and we can send a technician out to your home to inspect for an issue, set the traps and determine how the rodents are getting in your home.
Wildlife Control
Is there a time of year where wildlife invasions are more common?
Wildlife usually try to enter your home when it begins to get cooler in the fall and winter months. However, they may come in at any time looking for a food source and a safe place to stay. It is a good idea to regularly inspect your property and make any repairs to stop wildlife from getting in your home.
What types of wildlife are common in our area?
There are a number of different wild animals in your area. Squirrels are very common and may seek shelter in your attic. You may also have an issue with raccoons, snakes or birds making a nest in your home. We can help with possums, moles and woodchucks too.
What damage can wildlife do to my home?
Wildlife can do damage to your property in two ways. The first is that they can physically damage your property by chewing through walls or electrical wiring, which can cause a fire hazard. They can cause additional damage by spreading disease with their droppings.
Can the wildlife hurt my family?
Wildlife can be dangerous to your family in two ways. The firs that they can carry and spread diseases in the droppings. There are parasites that can infect you as well. The other is that they can bite you or a family member. If this happens, you need to visit a doctor to see if you need to receive rabies shots.
Can wildlife hurt my pets?
Wildlife can be just as dangerous for your pets as they are to you and your family. In fact, they may be more at risk, because they are more likely to approach and possibly fight with wildlife. If you are worried about raccoons or foxes in your yard or other animals, we can help.
How often do you check the traps?
We will check the traps every day or every other day depending on the weather and the type of animal that we are trying to catch. We will remove the animal for you. We only complete live captures, and we need to check often enough that the animals are still alive when we check.
Do you offer a catch and release option?
We only offer catch and release options for our wildlife control services. Once we catch the animal, we will take it a minimum of twenty-five miles from your home and release it into the wild. This should prevent the animal from returning to your property again.
We specialize in wildlife removal for a variety of wild animals that can invade your property, home, or business, and not only do we trap and remove wildlife, but we can prevent them from returning.
