Pest Control Questions, Answered Plainly

Start by asking each provider what they plan to treat and why. Ask if they have worked in older homes with stone or block foundations. Ask for a written quote that lists the pest, the steps and any follow-up visits. Check that they carry the license your state requires. Actualany Pest Control is a referral service, so the providers in our network do the work, not us.

Do a little prep. Take photos of droppings, chewed spots, mud tubes, damaged wood or bites, and add a date to your notes. Write down where and when you saw each sign. Clear a path to the basement, attic and under the sink. Move stored boxes away from walls if you can. Good records help the provider give a more accurate estimate. Photos before pests, as we like to say.

For a few ants or a lone spider, many homeowners handle it with basic traps and baits. Read the label and follow it exactly. Keep products away from kids, pets and food. Never mix chemicals. Do not use foggers in a closed house. Stop and ask a provider about it if the problem keeps coming back, spreads to other rooms, or involves rats, bed bugs or termites.

The provider usually starts with a walk-around, inside and out. They look for entry points, moisture and signs of activity. Then they explain the plan and the price before any work begins. Treatment may include baits, sealing gaps, dusts or sprays. Some pests need a second visit. Ask what to do with pets, food and floors afterward, and keep that note with your records.

Old houses settle over time. Stone and block foundations can crack, and freeze-thaw cycles open the gaps wider. Basement windows, old pipe holes and worn door sweeps give pests easy doors. Past repairs sometimes hide gaps behind walls too. An older home just needs a different plan. Seal what you can see and let a provider check the hidden spots.

Check the wood. Termites leave pencil-width mud tubes on foundation walls, and wood that sounds hollow when you tap it. Winged swarmers near windows in spring are another sign. Ants have a pinched waist and bent antennae. Termites have a thick waist and straight ones. Take clear photos and ask a provider for a termite inspection before you disturb anything.

Often not. Many policies treat pest damage as a maintenance issue. Some policies may cover sudden damage from a related event, so check your policy or ask your agent. Providers can often help document damage for a claim. Keep photos, dates, receipts and written reports in one folder. Having them ready makes any conversation with your insurer easier.

Think seal, trim and dry. Seal gaps around pipes, vents and foundation cracks with the right material for the job. Trim branches and shrubs away from the walls. Fix drips and keep the basement dry. Store food in tight containers and keep firewood off the ground. Check these spots each fall before the cold snaps and again after snowmelt.