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PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY PEST CONTROL SOLUTIONS TO RESIDENTS IN LEON VALLEY, TX
The climate in Leon Valley is beautiful all year round, which means that pests such as ants, termites, spiders and more are an ever-present problem. These pests are not only an annoyance. They can do severe damage to a person’s home and in some cases, can even pose a health threat to the people inside. It is natural for homeowners to want to get rid of these pests as quickly as possible, and some may attempt to get rid of them on their own. Unfortunately, this is often a fruitless effort that only results in wasted time and expense. If you are dealing with a pest problem, it is strongly advised that you speak with a Leon Valley pest control expert that can deal with your problem quickly and effectively.
Types of Pests in Leon Valley
Pests are found throughout Leon Valley and its surrounding areas. The most common of these include:
- Termites: There are few pests that strike fear in the heart of homeowners quite like termites. These critters cause up to $5 billion in property damage in the United States every year, and they are found extensively throughout Leon Valley. Once a colony has found a new home, it is also extremely difficult to get rid of, as one colony can contain millions of termites.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs can easily make their way into a home using luggage or second-hand furniture. Once inside, they are notoriously difficult to get rid of and typically require professional treatment.
- Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants do not cause as much damage as termites, but only because they are much easier to identify. Carpenter ants do not consume food, so the wood they chew is left behind them as a substance that looks like sawdust but is known as frass. Homeowners often find this frass first, which alerts them to the presence of carpenter ants.
- Spiders: Many spiders call Leon Valley home, but only two are venomous. The two most dangerous types of spiders are the black widow and the brown recluse. Due to the fact that a bite from either of these spiders can cause serious health issues, no one should ever try to remove them from a home on their own.
- Fire ants: Ants may not sound like a serious pest, but the sting of a fire ant is very painful. When they are disturbed, hundreds of ants will emerge from the mound to sting the perceived threat, and the effects of these stings can be excruciating.
- Ticks and fleas: Ticks are a known carrier of Lyme disease and once fleas make their way inside a home, it is incredibly difficult to eliminate the problem. Repeat treatments are sometimes necessary to ensure effective removal.
- Rodents: Mice and rats are unsightly, cause severe damage to the structure and contents of a home, and pose a health threat to humans. Unfortunately, once a homeowner sees even one, an infestation has likely already taken hold.
Upon discovering a pest problem, many people try to get rid of it on their own. Too often, this is a waste of time and resources.
Benefits of Using a Leon Valley Pest Control Company
The reason people often try to eliminate a pest problem on their own is that they think it will save them money. In most cases, this is not true. A person can spend hundreds of dollars on the products available, only to find that they are ineffective and do not get rid of the problem, or it soon returns. The cost-saving aspect of using a pest control company is just one benefit professionals will bring. Others include:
- Professional equipment and products: Pest control companies must obtain certain certifications and licenses that allow them to use equipment and products that are much more effective and generally not available for public use. Unlike the average person, pest control professionals also regularly perform industry research to find innovative products and other information about pests, such as those that are becoming resistant to certain pesticides.
- Minimize risk: Many homeowners assume that if a product is available in their local department or hardware store, it is safe to use. This is not usually the case. The assumption can result in people using the products too close to where they and their pets sleep, eat, and live. A pest control company will know how to use products effectively while keeping everyone in the home safe.
- Planning: It is understandable why homeowners become laser-focused on simply eliminating the problem when they discover pests. However, without a clear plan, pest control solutions are ineffective and even if the pests are eliminated, they will typically come back. A pest control company will already have a scientifically-proven plan to eliminate many types of pests and will simply customize it for your unique needs.
- Reassurance: When tackling a pest problem on your own, it may still keep you up at night wondering if the problem is really gone. Turning the problem over to professionals can give you the reassurance that once the company says they have eliminated the problem, it is truly eliminated and you should not worry about the pests any longer.
- More time: Of course, any time you leave a job to a professional, you will free up some of your own time. Homeowners can spend an immense amount of time trying to get rid of a pest problem, but professionals can eliminate the problem very quickly, allowing you to focus on the things most important to you.
These are just a few of the benefits you will realize when you have a professional on your side to combat a pest problem.
Contact Us Today for Pest Control in Leon Valley, TX
Any time you are dealing with a pest problem, it is crucial to get the help of a Leon Valley pest control company. At Stride Pest Control, we understand the most common pests found in Texas and can eliminate them effectively and efficiently. If you have pests, call us at 210) 547-8410 to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
COMMON LEON VALLEY PEST CONTROL FAQS
How Often Do I Need Pest Control Services?
If you have an issue with mosquitoes or fleas, you may need a monthly pest control prevention service. When trying to prevent other types of pests on your property, quarterly treatments are usually recommended. If you have a very large infestation, or are dealing with extreme conditions such as flooding or heavy rain, our Leon Valley pest control technicians can make recommendations based on your needs.
Are the Treatments You Use Safe for My Family and Pets?
Any treatment we use will be safe for you and your family. Sometimes, we may recommend that you keep children and pets from entering the treated area until a treatment has dried. This usually takes about one hour.
Do I Need to be Present for Pest Control Treatments?
When we first set up preventative treatments, we will create a barrier around your home that protects it from pests. During subsequent visits, we will usually inspect and reinforce that barrier to ensure continued ongoing protection. We will also look for any vulnerable areas that may provide access to pests. You are not required to be home or present for these treatments. However, we do ask that you keep your pets inside so we can provide the full service necessary.
What are Common Signs of an Infestation?
There are many common signs of pest problems and the ones you spot will depend on the type of bug you are having problems with. If you see insects or other critters, that is a clear sign that you have an infestation. Other times, you may see other evidence of a problem, such as food packaging that has been chewed through or torn open by critters. If you wake up in the morning with bites on exposed skin, that can indicate a bed bug problem. Additionally, if you start seeing many cobwebs around the home, it may mean a number of spiders have taken over.
The signs of infestation are sometimes quite subtle. A full inspection and identification by an experienced Leon Valley pest control professional is often necessary to determine if there is an infestation and if so, what critter is causing the problem.
What Types of Pests Require an Inspection?
Any time you think you are dealing with an infestation, it is important to call a pest control company that can perform an inspection for you. Our technicians at Stride Pest Control have the experience and training to identify bed bugs, termites, ants, spiders, cockroaches, termites, fleas, and a number of other pests.
What Questions Should I Ask a Bed Bug Control Company?
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to control and if you have a problem, you need to speak to a professional right away. To determine that you are using the right bed bug control company for you, it can help to ask the following questions:
- Do you offer free consultations?
- How long will treatment take?
- Is a heat treatment necessary?
- What is the potential for damage to my home?
- Will I have to do anything before or after treatment?
- How much will the bed bug treatment cost?
Are Heat Treatments Always Necessary to Control Bed Bugs?
Not necessarily. There are pesticides and other types of bed bug control treatment that can be used as an alternative to heat. There are many reasons why heat is not always the most effective type of treatment for bed bugs. Firstly, in order to use a treatment, the temperature in the home must be extremely high and it typically must last over a period of several hours. This can sometimes cause damage in the home.
Due to the high heat used in the home, it is also usually necessary for everyone, including the family pets, to be outside of the home for a long period of time. Families often find this very inconvenient. If the best choice for treatment is a heat treatment, you should only work with a technician that is highly experienced in treating bed bugs specifically, and with using heat treatments to do it.
Is There Anything I Should Avoid Doing Prior to a Bed Bug Treatment?
Generally speaking, you will not have to do too much prior to a bed bug treatment. Some things you should avoid doing, however, include:
- Dragging clothing or bedding through the home to wash them, as that can spread an infestation
- Placing infested items outside, as the Texas heat will not kill the bugs and may make it impossible for the items to be properly treated
- Performing any type of DIY bed bug treatment, as they can have an adverse reaction with the solutions a pest control professional will use
- Throwing away infested items, as that can spread the problem throughout the rest of the home, to visitors, and even to those that pick up the garbage every week
- Allowing visitors into infested areas, as that can cause them to bring them home with them
- Running a heater or furnace at full blast, as it is ineffective against killing bed bugs
When initially speaking to a Leon Valley pest control company, you should ask about any steps you should take, and any you should avoid, before receiving treatment.
What are the Signs of a Termite Infestation?
Termites can be difficult to spot, as they often remain within the walls. However, there are some signs you can watch for and they include:
- Droppings, which usually resemble small, rigid wood-colored pellets
- Mud tubes, particularly those that are outside and near the foundation of your home
- Wings, especially in the spring months, when termites are more likely to swarm
How Much Damage Do Termites Cause?
A termite infestation can cause a homeowner up to $10,000 in damage to their home. If left untreated for a very long time, termites can cause much more damage to that. Nationally, termites cause up to $5 billion in damage.
How Long Does a Termite Treatment Take to Work?
You should see a significant drop in termite activity within one to two days after treatment. Depending on the size of the infestation, you may see a gradual reduction for up to 14 days after treatment. If you notice continued activity after this time, it is important to contact the professional termite control company you used so they can perform a follow-up treatment.