The Pest Post

What is IPM and why should we consider it?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:35:00 GMT

People often ask us what “IPM” (Integrated Pest Management) is, and why they should consider it.

At A1, we are very cognizant of the environment, and the effect that pest control services has on it. IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common sense practices.
IPM is a process involving common sense and sound solutions for treating and controlling pests. These solutions incorporate three basic steps: 1) inspection, 2) identification and 3) treatment. Treatment options vary from sealing cracks and removing food and water sources to pesticide treatments when necessary.
Most importantly, IPM requires a partnership between you and your licensed pest professional. In working together, you can have the peace of mind that your family and home will be protected against pest-related health and property threats.
When it comes to IPM, there are very few “standard operating protocols.” Instead, your pest professional will assess YOUR unique situation to develop a comprehensive cure to your pest problem. Ask your pest control professional if they practice IPM.

IPM programs use current information on the life cycles of the various pests for which we treat, and their impact, effect, and interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with the available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means with the least possible hazards to people, property, and the environment.

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family.   You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!
Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

What kind of training do your employees receive?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:46:00 GMT

People often wonder what kind of training our employees receive.

All of our certified service technicians at A1 meet or exceed the North Carolina state minimums for pest control service training. Our employees also receive regular on and off-site training from the vendors and suppliers whose products we use in our services.

In addition to that, all of our experts are certified through the QualityPro program. QualityPro is a best practice program for pest control operators. It’s a little bit like a good housekeeping seal of approval for our industry.
QualityPro is an initiative designed to increase professionalism in the pest management industry. This dynamic program certifies companies based on comprehensive standards.

Known as “the mark of excellence in pest control,” the QualityPro designation can be achieved by ensuring that all employees voluntarily ascribe to a set of standards far above what is required by state and federal regulations.
Reserved exclusively for member companies of the National Pest Management Association, QualityPro companies are a distinguished group that continues to act as leaders and pioneers to better serve consumers across the country. Therefore, it is with great pride that we recommend you look for the QualityPro logo the next time you select a professional to eliminate your pest problems.

Employee screening, background checks, policies on vehicle and equipment maintenance, appearance and uniform dress codes, and strict regulations on practices are all a part of QualityPro standards, so you know you will be getting the highest caliber of pest-control partners coming to your home or place of business.

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family.   You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!
Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

Why should realtors choose A-1?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:42:00 GMT

While our staff at A1 Termite and Pest Control Services is out and about in the community, we often run into realtors who ask us why they should choose A1’s Services.

We recognize that a realtor’s days are often long and full of tasks, so we go into a relationship with a realtor with the goal in mind to relieve you of the stress that comes from worrying whether or not your properties have issues with termites or pests.

We also understand that as a realtor, a major concern is that your customers receive the home of their dreams, and that home shouldn’t come to them with any unwanted pests that can bring bother or harm to them or their property.

It is for those reasons that we offer several services to realtors that they really love.

For example, realtors can order their inspections through our website anytime, day or night, and get a lightning-fast turnaround. We can typically handle your inspection from start to finish within a 24-hour period.

We also provide “one-stop shopping”, in the sense that you can order a radon test, for example, with your inspection, and we’ll even provide you a discount for multiple services!

If you like, we can also email everything to you for maximum efficiency so the paperwork becomes a snap!

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family.   You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!
Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

How can TAP help insulate my home?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:39:00 GMT

At A1 Termite and Pest Control, we have a product that is called TAP Insulation. We often are asked how T•A•P helps to insulate a home.

First, let’s define what T•A•P stands for. TAP stands for Thermal Acoustical Pest Control insulation. T∙A∙P is a revolutionary green insulation for new and existing homes & buildings made from recycled paper that incorporates a borate-based pest control into the product.

Not only does T∙A∙P outperform traditional insulation in nearly every category, it also controls pests such as ants, termites, and cockroaches at the same time!

This fully recycled, blown-in insulation can be installed on top of your existing insulation to significantly increase the energy efficiency of your home. T•A•P insulation is much denser than standard insulation, so it also provides a magnificent sound buffer.

With so many products claiming to be “green” these days, it is often difficult to discern which products truly are environmentally responsible. When viewed in the context of the entire product life-cycle (from production to operation to disposal), cellulose insulation is one of the greenest building products in the world.

Cellulose insulation takes less energy to make than other insulation products, is made from 80%+ recycled paper, reduces a home’s carbon footprint by saving energy, and provides no post-installation waste.

T•A•P is the only product labeled by EPA to control insects that also bears an Energy Star label! Our certified technicians will be happy to come to your home and show you a comparison between T•A•P insulation and the standard “pink panther” style insulation you’re used to.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!
Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

What kind of treatments do you have for crawlspaces?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:37:00 GMT

One of the questions we get asked a lot is what types of treatments are available for crawlspaces. We think this is an area that many homeowners can overlook if they don’t have a regular pest control service plan, and it is an area that can lead to much bigger problems if it is not regularly paid attention to.

Crawlspaces around the home are often damp and full of mold. Air particles can seep up from that section through the sub-flooring and expose your family to a variety of illnesses caused by bacteria.

Inadequate ventilation, temperature inversions, plumbing leaks, and exterior water intrusion from rain and sprinkler systems often lead to moisture problems in a crawl space. Mold treatment in a crawl space includes a combination of mold removal, structural corrections and other mechanical solutions to remedy these problems.

How to insulate a crawl space depends on whether it's ventilated or unventilated. Traditionally, crawl spaces have been vented to prevent problems with moisture; most building codes require vents to aid in removing moisture from the crawl space.
However, many building professionals now recognize that building an unventilated crawl space (or closing vents after the crawl space dries out following construction) is the best option in homes using proper moisture control and exterior drainage techniques.
Our specialized service technicians at A1 Termite and Pest Control can encase your crawlspace in a polymembrane that can reduce the transfer of the air particles from the crawlspace to the living area of your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!
Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

How do you test and treat for radon?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:34:00 GMT

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control often get asked how we treat for Radon.
Let’s first explain a little about what radon is. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home.

The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Testing is the only way to know your home's radon levels.

There are no immediate symptoms that will alert you to the presence of radon. It typically takes years of exposure before any problems surface.

Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.

In order to test for radon; one of our certified technicians will come to your home and place a radon testing device on the home’s lowest level. This test will stay in place for 48 hours so our technician can get a truly accurate reading.

If the test reveals that your home has a radon reading of 4.0 or higher, we can devise a plan to install a radon mitigation system in your home that will rid your home of this deadly gas.

To mitigate the radon gas, we will first seal off the area where the radon is entering your home. Then, we install a suction fan that will be used to pull the infected air from under your home and exhaust it to the outside where it dissipates.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!
Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

What can you do about mice?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:31:00 GMT

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control often get asked what we can do about a mice or rodent problem. We offer several solutions, including bates, monitoring devices, or other treatments.

One of our certified technicians will be happy to come to your home and provide you with a free inspection to determine the proper course of action or treatments.

Mice can cause all sorts of problems in your home. They commonly cause damage to walls, wiring, and furniture, and they can carry some serious diseases.
For this reason, it’s important to know how to get rid of mice as quickly as possible.

As prevention is better than cure, Ehrlich has compiled a list of facts and tips to help you keep your home free of mice.

If you already have a mouse problem, or have tried to treat a small infestation yourself and found do it yourself pest control products haven’t completely worked, then you need to call an exterminator to get rid of the mice for you.

All of our pest control service technicians are well-schooled in the latest advancements in pest-control technology, and we never use more chemicals than we need to in order to provide you with the right treatment for your home and situation.

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family.   You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

If you’re a restaurant owner looking for the finest in pest control service, give us a call and one of our certified service technicians will be happy to come out and provide a free inspection to help you determine the best courses of action for your situation.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!
Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

I don't have pets so why do I have fleas?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:27:00 GMT

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control often get asked how or why their home can be infected with fleas when they don’t have pets. This is one of those issues that would seem to defy logic. But it doesn’t.

If you think about how pets transmit fleas and where they pick them up, it becomes a little easier to understand that fleas can be brought into your home from the outside via many different “carriers”.

For example, fleas can be brought into your house on your clothes or on any other item that comes in from the outside. Animals that may pass through your yard or your property and are already infected can contribute to an increase in the flea population around your home.

Fleas can also jump into your house through an open door or window, or someone else coming into your home as a visitor may even bring them along if their home is infected.

The average yard has a flea or two active somewhere in the grass or mulch. This is especially true when it's not treated for fleas and it's warm outside. Squirrels, rats, mice, chipmunks, birds, neighboring cats, neighboring dogs, raccoons and many other wandering animals during the summer leave a trail of fleas and flea eggs where they're active. That means most yards will have a flea or at least a flea stage in it.

If you suspect you have fleas in your home but are not sure what to do to correct the problem, give us a call and one of our certified service technicians will be happy to come to your home and provide a free inspection to help you determine the best courses of action for your situation.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

When I'm traveling how can I avoid bringing home bed bugs?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:24:00 GMT

It seems that we are hearing more and more about bedbugs in the news again. We often get asked how people can avoid bringing home bedbugs when they travel.

There are some simple steps we can all take when we travel to ensure that we bring home memories from our trip without bringing home any bedbugs. For example, when you check into your lodging center, don’t unpack your luggage at first.

Just set the luggage inside the door, walk over to your bed, pull back your linens on the sides and the corners, and look for bugs, or dark, rust colored spots, or small white egg-cases in or around the frames. They could be under the tag, under the mattress or box springs, or anywhere else they could find to hide in a secluded spot.

You can take a small flashlight and lift up the mattress and box springs to take a look underneath and around the frame and even the nightstand. A good thorough inspection is never a bad idea, considering the potential alternative. Don’t assume five-star hotels all have the finest in pest-control, either. Better safe than sorry!

Bedbugs are about the size of a tick, they have lines across their abdomen, and their color is somewhere between brown and a reddish-brown.    Bed bugs are wingless insects approximately 1/4" to 3/8" long. Bed bugs are active at night and hide during the day.

If you suspect you have bedbugs in your home but are not sure what to do to correct the problem, give us a call and one of our certified service technicians will be happy to come to your home and provide a free confirmation inspection to help you determine the best courses of action for your situation.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

What do bed bugs look like?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:22:00 GMT

It seems that we are hearing more and more about bedbugs in the news again. We get asked a lot what a bedbug looks like. Reports of bed bugs in peoples homes, hotels and other places of rest have sky rocketed in recent years.

Some people attribute the increase to resistance to pesticides and new pesticide laws and others say it’s simply bound to happen as the population increases. Either way, bed bug bites are annoying, unsightly, itchy and just plain gross.

Bedbugs are about the size of a tick, they have lines across their abdomen, and their color is somewhere between brown and a reddish-brown.    Bed bugs are wingless insects approximately 1/4" to 3/8" long.

Young bed bugs are much smaller and nearly colorless except after feeding, but resemble the adult in general shape. Bed bugs are active at night and hide during the day. You may also find cast skins, which are empty shells of bugs as they grow from one stage to the next.

If you suspect you have bedbugs in your home but are not sure what to do to correct the problem, give us a call and one of our certified service technicians will be happy to come to your home and provide a free confirmation inspection to help you determine the best courses of action for your situation.

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family.   You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

How do you treat for mosquitoes?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:14:00 GMT

In the summer months we often get asked how we treat for mosquitoes. That’s an excellent question. Particularly in the summer months, mosquitoes are a pest that can make anyone’s outdoor enjoyment a difficult task.

We usually will treat the outside harborage areas with a chemical through a blower-mister system, or we may also use a high-pressure pump system. With these treatments, the treated areas usually are dry and usable in about three hours or so.

Because the treatments are exposed to the elements (weather), a monthly treatment is usually the best course of action.

If you are concerned about mosquitoes around your home but are not sure what to do to correct the problem, give us a call and one of our certified service technicians will be happy to come to your home and provide a free inspection to help you determine the best courses of action for your situation.

All of our pest control service technicians are well-schooled in the latest advancements in pest-control technology, and we never use more chemicals than we need to in order to provide you with the right treatment for your home and situation.

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family. You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

How can I prevent mosquitoes at my home?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:12:00 GMT

In the summer months we often get asked how people can prevent mosquitoes at their home. We thought that was a biting question and felt repelled (umm, sorry…compelled) to spray a few ideas out here for you.

All dry humor aside, mosquitoes can ruin a perfectly good evening outside for you and your family, so it’s important to understand what we can do as homeowners to minimize their incentive to hang out with us at our family get-togethers and evenings on the patio.

Keep in mind that mosquitoes need water in order to lay their eggs, hatch, and breed. So if you will take some time and notice any areas of standing water around your home, and create a system to ensure that going forward that water will drain following a rain, then that will be a good first step in discouraging mosquitoes to set up shop around your home.

If you are concerned about mosquitoes around your home but are not sure what to do to correct the problem, give us a call and one of our certified service technicians will be happy to come to your home and provide a free inspection to help you determine the best courses of action for your situation.

All of our pest control service technicians are well-schooled in the latest advancements in pest-control technology, and we never use more chemicals than we need to in order to provide you with the right treatment for your home and situation.

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family. You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

How long does a treatment take and do I have to leave my home?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:09:00 GMT

People often ask us how long a treatment will take at their home, and whether they have to leave while we complete the work. We understand our customers’ time is valuable, so we thought we would talk about that for a moment.

Most of our inside services will take about an hour or so, but it depends on the severity of a problem and the type of work that is required. Some jobs are more involved than others.

Once our certified service technician finishes providing you with a thorough inspection of your home, any crawlspaces, and the area around your home, he will be able to give you a very close estimate of the time that will be needed to complete the work.

We do sometimes ask that you and your family leave for about three or so four hours, in order to give the chemicals the proper amount of undisturbed drying time, especially when we have to perform certain types of services such as flea service.

This helps ensure that when you return, the chemicals will not be harmful to you, your family, or your pets.

All of our pest control service technicians are well-schooled in the latest advancements in pest-control technology, and we never use more chemicals than we need to in order to provide you with the right treatment for your home and situation.

We value your business, and our number one goal is always to ensure that the homeowner gets the most effective treatment in the safest possible manner for them and their family.   You can rest assured we always have your safety and the safety of your home and your possessions in mind when we are treating your home.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

Can you treat our home today?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:04:00 GMT

People often ask us whether we can come to their home the same day they call us for service. We understand the value of our customers’ time, and we wanted to address that issue.

When you have an urgent situation requiring immediate pest control treatment, all of us at A1 Termite and Pest Control will make every effort to ensure that one of our certified pest control technicians can be at your house the same day you call us.

In many cases, we can be there the same day. However, we cannot guarantee that can be the case. The best thing you, the homeowner, can do is to call us the minute you notice a pest issue and not delay. Then we can discuss your situation and schedule treatment at the earliest possible time.

What will the process be when we arrive at your home?

The very first thing our A1 Termite and Pest Control certified service technician will do when he arrives at your home is to provide a thorough inspection. This will include both the inside and outside of your home as well as the crawlspaces and outside areas around your home. This inspection is done free of charge.

Following the inspection, the technician will provide you with an estimate on the spot of the type of services that are needed in order to properly treat your home, and the estimated price to complete the work. It is up to you to decide if you want to proceed or not. There is never an obligation.

We also get asked if we can provide estimates over the phone. For many of our basic services, the answer is yes. However, for services such as termite and radon treatments, and some pest control services, we do require an inspection in order to determine the level of those treatments that will be needed to eradicate the problem.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.

What is the cost to have my home treated?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:47:00 GMT

People often ask us how much it will cost for us to provide pest control service for their home. We understand our customers’ desire to know up front what they will have to spend, so we wanted to provide some insight.

When someone calls us about providing treatment, we seek to schedule a technician to go out to their home at the earliest possible convenience. In many cases, we can be there the same day. However, we cannot guarantee that can be the case.

The very first thing our A1 Termite and Pest Control certified service technician will do when he arrives at your home is to provide a thorough inspection. This will include both the inside and outside of your home as well as the crawlspaces and outside areas around your home. This inspection is done free of charge.

Following the inspection, the technician will provide you with an estimate on the spot of the type of services that are needed in order to properly treat your home, and the estimated price to complete the work. For the first service or cleanout, normal houses range from $125.00 for a small house and $150.00 for medium or so house. Big houses (>3000 sq ft) maybe a bit more, it just depends and we certainly will give you a price so you can decide if you want to proceed or not. There is never an obligation. For a regular quarterly service the price is usually $75.00, $85.00, $95.00 and up again depending on the size of the house and service included.

We also get asked if we can provide estimates over the phone. For many of our basic services, the answer is yes. However, for services such as termite and radon treatments, and some pest control services, we do require an inspection in order to determine the level of those treatments that will be needed to eradicate the problem. An average termite job may range from $650.00 to $1400.00 or so again depending on size, complexity and chemical used. Radon mitigation jobs range from $1000.00 to $2000.00 depending on size and complexity of the system and the construction of the home. With all these services we have had homes cost more to treat, so these are average home prices.

At A1, we treat your home as if it were our own. That has been our number one core philosophy since we started our pest control business in 1966!

Our experts at A1 Termite and Pest Control can help you with all of your pest problems. Feel free to give us a call today at 1-866-939-3081 for a free consultation.