Pest Control In Sacramento

Your home usually is your largest monetary investment. Protecting it from wood-destroying organisms such as termites is often a prime concern. Effective termite control requires experience, knowledge of termite habits, proper equipment, and effective pest management technology including insecticides. Therefore, rather than attempting "do-it-yourself" termite control, it is advisable to employ a professional pest management company (note that what we used to call "exterminators" and "pest control" companies have now adopted the term "pest management"). Selecting a pest management service is just as important as selecting any other professional such as a lawyer or doctor. Do not select a company based solely on their advertisements. Advertisements are no guarantee of reliable or effective service.

Who to Chose in Sacramento for Pest Control

Arden Termite and Pest Control of Sacramento offers a 20% discount off any other companies written estimate.

Certified Termite Inspections of Sacramento specializes in real estate inspections. They offer the fastest turn around or the paperwork needed to close your escrow.

General Considerations

Most pest management firms are reliable and legitimate businesses that are respected in their communities.To obtain a pest control license, a company must have proof of liability insurance and must employ at least one person that is licensed (as a Commercial Operator) to apply pesticides in specific habitats and against certain categories of pests. In order to be licensed for termite control in California, an individual must be knowledgeable of pesticides, general household pests, and termites; they must pass appropriate examinations; and they must periodically attend approved re-certification training sessions.

The best companies routinely participate in training seminars, workshops, short courses, or pest management conferences to keep informed of new developments in pest management methods, safety, research, and regulation.

Take your time to select a reputable pest management company and to decide on a course of treatment. There is no need to panic or to rush into a termite control program even if you know that your house is infested with termites.

Treatment Options

The company should be willing and able to discuss the proposed treatment. There currently are many treatment options for termite control.

In order to compare among proposed services and prices, ask each company to specify, in writing, the name of the termite control product to be used. For soil termiticides, ask the company to provide information regarding the concentration to be used, the estimated gallons to be applied, treatment locations and methods, and approximate hours needed to complete the job. For baits, ask the company to provide information regarding the number of stations to be installed, where the stations will be located, and the inspection schedule.

For soil termiticides, the chemical is purchased in concentrated form then is diluted with water for application. The amount of chemical to be applied is determined by the size of the home and type of construction (i.e., basement, concrete slab, crawl space, etc.). A soil treatment for a typical single-family home usually requires two technicians to work several hours to a full day. A shallow trench is dug along the foundation where soil abuts the house, then the chemical is applied into the trench and deeper into the soil by rodding. Cement patios, steps, and other pavement abutting the foundation are drilled to allow treatment of underlying soil. It may be necessary to drill and treat the hollow block foundation walls. All treatment holes subsequently should be securely plugged. Special treatment precautions are required for homes with wells, particular drainage systems, or in-slab or sub-slab heating ducts.

It is very important that bait systems are properly installed and diligently serviced. This often requires a monthly inspection schedule (except during inclement winter weather). With a bait treatment, in-ground plastic stations are inserted in the soil next to the structure and in the vicinity of known or suspected sites of termite activity. In-ground stations often initially contain untreated wood that serves as a monitoring device. When termites are detected feeding on the monitoring wood, it is replaced with a material that is toxic to the termites. As the termites continue to feed, the colony is affected. In addition, baited above ground stations may be installed inside or on the structure in the vicinity of damaged wood and shelter tubes. The baiting process may take months to years. Some bait systems are used in conjunction with a localized soil treatment.

Contracts

Once you engage a particular company, you probably will be asked to sign a work contract. It is important to understand clearly what obligations are assumed and what benefits are received in return. It is customary for a company to back its termite control work with a service agreement for a specified time. However, a service agreement is no better than the firm that presents it. Understand the service agreement offered and if it only vaguely refers to termite control, be suspicious. Determine if a yearly charge will be levied during the agreement period or whether these charges are included in the initial price. Ask what is needed to keep the service agreement in force. Determine if the firm will notify you when inspections are due.

Beware of Companies That:

Cannot show proof of licensing by the California Structural Pest Control Board.
Cannot show proof of liability and property damage insurance.
Use unlisted telephone numbers and addresses.
Fail to address your questions and concerns professionally and to your satisfaction.
Use scare/alarm tactics and/or forceful sales tactics to pressure you to immediately sign a contract.
Appear at your door uninvited, unannounced, or unexpectedly, and show evidence of termite specimens and damage from a neighbor's property as an excuse to inspect your home.
Claim to have a secret formula or chemical ingredient more potent that any other firm.
Slander other pest management companies by indicating that their products are illegal and do not provide control.
Quote prices over the phone without having performed a thorough inspection of your premises.
Submit a quotation substantially lower than those of other firms contacted. The cheapest estimate often is not the best deal for the homeowner.
Claim to "insulate" your premises against termite invasion.
Claim that a corrective treatment for termites will eliminate carpenter ant or powderpost beetle infestations
Indicate that excess chemical is left over from another job and a special price can be offered for immediate treatment of your home.
Claim to be endorsed by a city, state, or national pest management association, The Ohio State University, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, or other government agencies. .