Choose from one of the selected categories. If you cannot find an
answer to your question, please contact our "Ask The
Expert".
Selecting a Pest Control Professional
1. What should a homeowner look for when selecting a pest
control professional?
A qualified and licensed pest management company that is a
member of national, state or local pest management associations.
Buy value, not price. Before signing a contract, be sure to fully
understand the nature of the pest, the extent of the infestation,
and the work necessary to solve the problem. With Arrow's STEPS
Total Protection System, our trained professionals will inspect to
pinpoint pest issues, identify not only the pest, but the true
cause of the problem and treat in the most environmentally
responsible way to alleviate current issues and help prevent
any
future recurrence.
Find out if the company has liability insurance to cover any
damages to your house or furnishings during treatment. If a
guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what
you must do to keep it in force and what kind of continuing
prevention and management are necessary.
2. If you hire a pest control professional, are you
guaranteed a pest-free home?
Pest control companies differ in their guarantees. If a
guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what
you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing
prevention and management are necessary. It is important that
homeowners remain active participants before, during and after all
pest control treatments. This type of vigilance helps the homeowner
better understand their contract and possible guarantee, and helps
the Pest Management Company understand the homeowners
expectations.
Pest Control
1. I have little tiny bugs coming from my potted plants. Can
I spray for these?
This occurs often in plants and unfortunately there are no sprays
or products that will get rid of these bugs. These pests are
breeding in the soil as a result of moisture and sometimes as a
result of the soil being old. The easiest thing to do that usually
takes care of the problem is to simply repot the plant with fresh
soil.
2. I have roaches in my home and have tried sprays and
"bombs" and these don't seem to be working. What else can I
do?
Cockroaches can be very difficult to control because so
many things can contribute to their survival such as food, water
and shelter. Aerosol bombs are not very effective in controlling
cockroaches however proper placement of the other materials is the
key to success. Arrow Exterminators service professionals can
assist in controlling cockroaches as well as other pests.
4. We have bugs in our house. Can I get something to spray
that is "child friendly" but will get rid of the bugs?
In order to control and/or eradicate the insects you must first
eliminate their food sources, nesting areas (if any), entry points,
etc. With Arrow's STEPS Total Protection System, our IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) approach identifies not only the pests
but the true cause of the problem. We will then treat in the most
environmentally responsible way to alleviate current issues and
help prevent any future recurrence
5. I have bees drilling holes in my house. What can I do and
will they sting?
The bees you are describing sound like carpenter bees. They bore
into wood to nest and lay eggs. They are not very aggressive, and
the male (white spot on face) does not sting. There isn't a lot
that can be done to prevent this from happening however it is
important to treat the holes and then seal them as the bees will
reuse the holes each year.
6. I am a current Arrow customer. Does your quarterly
service control fleas and ticks?
The materials that we use would have some impact on fleas and
ticks, however the places that we apply these materials may not be
where the ticks or fleas are located or nesting. Please contact
your Arrow Service Center and they should be able to modify your
service to include treating for fleas and ticks when
necessary.
7. I have roaches but I keep a clean house. Why do I still
see them?
Having a clean house will not eradicate roaches entering your home
since they are looking for food, shelter and water to survive. If
it is a larger cockroach you are seeing, they are coming from the
outside to the inside, through windows or doors that might not be
sealed properly when shut, or through attics, basements, etc. If it
is the smaller German cockroach, they can be brought in on
groceries, bags, furniture, etc.
Bed Bugs
1. Bed bugs have been all over the news lately. Has there
really been resurgence in bed bugs in the U.S.?
Bed bugs have been all over the news because there HAS been
an increase in bed bug infestations. Pest control companies who
received 1 or 2 bed bug calls a year are now reporting 1 to 2 each
week! According to research conducted by the National Pest
Management Association bed bug reports have increased 71% from 2000
to 2005.
2. Why are bed bugs back?
The bed bug resurgence is being attributed to the dramatic
increase in world travel. The ban on DDT is also thought to be an
attributing factor. DDT was often used to treat for bed bugs before
it was officially banned in 1972.
3. Are bed bugs a real problem?
Yes - they are a real problem! Bed bugs are resilient pests
that are known for their superior hitchhiking abilities. They can
travel easily from room to room within a house or from hotel to
home via suitcases. They are extremely difficult to remove and
require the precision and experience of an experienced pest
professional to entirely eliminate an infestation.
4. Are bed bugs just in beds?
Bed bugs are not just in beds. They can be in chair
cushions, sofas, behind electrical outlets, cracks and crevices
around baseboards, or even behind picture frames. In other words,
they can be live pretty much anywhere.
5. Where have you been finding the bed bugs?
These pests are not limited to any one specific type of
dwelling. Pest control companies have been reporting the
infestations in homes, multi-family housing, apartments, hotels,
college dorms and even hospitals.
6. What states have been affected?
Pest control companies have reported bed bug activity on a
national scale. Bed bugs are being found from the East to the West
Coast; and everywhere in between. Teams from our Phoenix pest control
service center as well as our Atlanta and Knoxville ofices have all
reported an increase in the number of reported incidents - showing
how widespread the problem really is.
7. Why are bed bugs an issue for hotels, visitors, and
homeowners?
Bed bugs only feed on blood and their bites can cause an
allergic reaction in most people, leaving itchy, bloody welts on
the skin. These welts can take up to 12 days to appear, although
most reactions are seen immediately. Adult bed bugs can live for a
year without eating, making them especially hard to control and a
single female bed bug produces up to 500 offspring in her lifetime.
Once inside a hotel or home, bed bugs spread rapidly from room to
room - through pipes, in vacuum cleaners, on clothing and luggage.
In a hotel, bed bugs can even spread to neighboring rooms, since
guests in an infested room may end up moving to another room. Bed
bugs can also be transported from location to location through its
eggs. Bed bug eggs are whitish and are often no bigger than a
pinhead. When eggs are freshly laid, they are sticky and adhere to
surfaces easily.
8. Why are bed bugs so hard to treat?
Bed bugs are VERY elusive, transient and nocturnal pests. Bed bugs
are also equated with filth or sanitation problems, which is NOT
true. They are often found in clean homes in other areas besides
the bed. They can also live for a year or more without eating and
can withstand a wide range of temperatures from nearly freezing to
almost 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. What can a consumer do to protect themselves from bed bug
infestations?
To prevent bed bug infestations, consumers need to be vigilant in
assessing their surroundings. When returning from a trip, check
your luggage and clothing-shake clothes out outside and vacuum
suitcases before bringing them in the house. Dispose of the vacuum
cleaner bag immediately. If you think you may have a bed bug
infestation, contact one of Arrow's local service centers. This is
not a pest that can be controlled with do-it-yourself
measures.
10. How does one control bed bugs?
Any effective bed bug control strategy should start with a
careful, thorough home evaluation by Arrow. This is not a pest that
can be controlled effectively with do-it-yourself measures. With
Arrow's STEPS Total Protection System, our trained bed bug control
professionals will inspect to pinpoint pest issues, identify not
only the pest, but the true cause of the problem and develop a
treatment and control strategy with the customer depending on the
extent of the infestation.
11. What do bed bugs look like?
They are reddish brown, about a quarter of an inch in diameter,
and can be likened to an apple seed. See our pest guide for more
information on bed bugs.
12. With summer being the most popular months for travel do
you have any suggestions for vacationers to avoid bed
bugs?
Although bed bugs derive their name from their tendency to live in
beds, they can be found in carpets, under wallpaper, behind
baseboards, and in small cracks and crevices throughout a
room.
A few tips for travelers to avoid a bed bug infestation are:
• At hotels, pull down the bed covers at night. If you see
something moving, or if you see spots on the sheets, move to
another room or switch hotels.
• Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking. If any
pests are spotted, change rooms or establishments
immediately.
• After traveling, inspect your suitcases before bringing them
into the house. Consider vacuuming them thoroughly to remove any
suspicion of pests.
13. What can travelers do if they find themselves in an
infested room?
Guests who see signs of an infestation or have physical bites
should report their concerns to hotel management immediately and
request a different room. Hotels across the country have been very
proactive in working to prevent and treat bed bug infestations.
Should you be in a room with bed bugs, hotel management has proven
to be quite amenable to guests' requests to change rooms and
floors. Do not hesitate to contact them about this problem.
Termites
1. What are termites?
Termites are wood-destroying insects. Their presence dates back to
the dinosaurs. While they play an important role in nature, experts
estimate they cause $5 billion of property damage each year.
2. Are there different kinds of termites?
Yes, the three major kinds of termites in the United States are
dampwood, drywood and subterranean. Dampwood termites commonly live
in heavily forested areas of the country as they prefer wet wood;
while, drywood termites, much more rare in the United States,
prefer extremely dry wood. Subterranean termites require moist
environments, live mainly in the soil and are the most destructive
species.
3. How do you recognize termites?
Depending on your geographical location, termite swarms should be
visible in the early spring. Termite swarms can be confused with
flying ants. Telltale signs of termite infestation include soft
wood in the home, mud tubes in the interior or exterior of your
home (often near the foundation), and darkening or blistering of
wood structures.
4. How much damage do termites cause?
The truth is there are two kinds of homes: those that have
had termites and those that will get them. Termites work 24 hours/7
days a week at damaging the wood in and around a structure. And,
while they cause $5 billion in damage each year, there is no reason
to think that termites cannot be controlled.
5. When does a homeowner see termites?
Termites swarm in the early spring, depending on their
geographical location.
6. What can a homeowner do to prevent termites?
The most important thing is to remove the conducive conditions
termites need to survive. Termites love moisture; avoid moisture
accumulation around the foundation of your home. Divert water away
with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.
Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Prevent
shrubs, vines and other vegetation from growing over and covering
vents. Be sure to remove old form boards, grade stakes, etc., left
in place after the building was constructed. Remove old tree stumps
and roots around and beneath the building. Most importantly,
eliminate any wood contact with the soil. An 18-inch gap between
the soil and wood portions of the building is ideal. It doesn't
hurt to routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of
termite damage.
7. Does homeowners insurance cover termite
damage?
Homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage.
8. How are termites controlled?
An Arrow pest control professional will come in and treat the
problem so that you can live comfortably in your home.
9. What is the most effective type of termite
treatment?
Arrow Exterminators and the entire industry are committed to
providing highly effective treatment options for all pest issues.
The most effective type of treatment depends upon the severity of
the infestation, the species of termite, and the location and
construction of the home or building. Our trained and licensed pest
control operators can assess each infestation separately and
recommend a rigorous treatment plan that will effectively control
the termite population.
10. How difficult are termites to treat?
Termites are nearly impossible for homeowners to treat on their
own however, Arrow's pest control professionals have the training,
expertise and technology to eliminate termite infestations.
11. How much does a termite treatment cost?
They can range anywhere from $800 to $1,800 dollars, depending on
where you live, the construction of your home, severity of the
infestation, and the type of treatment recommended. Arrow will
provide you with a free home evaluation.
12. Are these products dangerous to kids and
pets?
All professional pest control products have been registered for
use by the EPA. When they are applied according to label
instructions by service professionals who have been trained and
licensed to use them, they pose virtually no risk.
13. Why should someone hire a professional instead of
attempting to control their pest problems by
themselves?
Just as you wouldn't prescribe medicine for yourself or drill your
own cavities, you shouldn't attempt to control termites or other
pests on your own. The products and the expertise offered by
Arrow's trained professionals far surpass what a homeowner could do
on their own. Leave it up to our experts for peace of mind. Why
risk it?
14. How long does a termite treatment typically take?
Termite treatments typically will take no more than a day.
15. Are termites active above ground and/or below ground in
the winter months?
Termites are less active in the winter but are still present in
the soil. They actually move lower in the soil to avoid the colder
temperature at grade or turf levels. If termites have already
gained access to a home, they will continue to forage for cellulose
but at a slower pace.
Stinging Insects
1. What types of pests are included in the stinging insect
category?
Several pests are included in this category. The most well known
are bees, wasps and hornets. Some species of ants, such as fire
ants, are included in this category as well.
2. Are stinging insects considered public health
threats?
Stinging insects send half a million people to the emergency room
each year. Although they are not labeled as public health threats,
like mosquitoes that spread West Nile Virus, they are certainly
dangerous. Homeowners who suspect a stinging insect infestation
should not attempt to control the infestation by themselves.
3. What time of year are stinging insects at their
peak?
Stinging insects are at their peak during the warmer summer
months.
4. Why shouldn't homeowners try to control stinging insects
without the help of a trained professional?
Many types of stinging insects, such as yellow jackets, are social
insects. They will sting to protect themselves and members of their
colony. The insects give off pheromones, which cause other members
of the colony to react as well. The chaotic reaction is too
dangerous for a homeowner to address alone.
5. What will a professional do to control stinging
insects?
The first step in controlling any pest is to identify it
correctly. There are many kinds of beneficial flies that closely
resemble wasps, and there are many kinds of "solitary" wasps, such
as sand wasps, which also look exactly the same as yellow jackets,
but pose a lower hazard. After the type of pest is identified there
are a variety of control methods that a professional could take.
Arrow's service professionals use an approach called integrated
pest management, or IPM. This approach involves removing the pest's
food, water and shelter. In the case of stinging insects, this
could involve cleaning up your yard and sanitizing outdoor areas.
Our professional will use appropriate steps and approaches to
addressing the particular type of infestation. Vacuuming is a new
technique in stinging insect control.
6. Can stinging insects also be a property
threat?
Certain species of stinging insects can pose a large property
threat. Carpenter bees are wood-destroying insects that can cause
serious structural damage if not caught in time and properly
controlled.
7. What can a homeowner do to avoid an unwanted encounter
with a stinging insect?
Homeowners can take a clue from the professionals and practice
integrated pest management to avoid stinging insects and other
types of pests. Again, it is important to consult an Arrow pest
management professional to address an infestation correctly.
8. What are some tips to deal with stinging
insects?
Be aware of stinging insect nesting areas, and use extreme caution
when around them. Stinging insects can build their nests in attics,
crawlspaces, building corners, under gutters, and under patios or
decks. Seal exterior cracks and crevices to prevent insects from
entering a structure and building nests. Stinging insects are
attracted to open garbage cans and exposed food. Cover all food
when outdoors. Be sure to keep tight fitting lids on garbage cans
and empty them regularly. When spending time outdoors, avoid
excessive use of fragrances, which can attract stinging insects. If
you have an allergic reaction to an insect sting, seek medical
attention immediately.
Mosquitoes
1. Are mosquitoes a real health threat?
Mosquitoes transmit at least three human diseases that have been
found in the United States. All of them are potentially fatal.
These diseases include West Nile Virus, Malaria and Dengue Fever.
Calling a professional, such as an Atlanta mosquito control specialist,
will help protect your family from these diseases.
2. What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus was first detected in the U.S. in 1999. It can
lead to serious complications of the liver or nervous system,
inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), meningitis or paralysis.
It is the most widely known disease, likely due to its rapid spread
throughout the nation. West Nile Virus has spread across the
country from Pennsylvania to Washington state since 1999. More than
3,700 cases have been confirmed since that time. Forty-one states
and Washington D.C. now have confirmed cases of West Nile.
3. Do we get Malaria in the US?
Malaria was thought to have been eradicated in the U.S. but was
detected in mosquitoes in Fairfax County, VA in 2002. From 1973 to
1983, travelers introduced 2,575 cases of malaria into the United
States.
4. Are Americans at risk for Dengue Fever?
A small but important risk for dengue fever exists in the United
States. Travelers introduce up to 100 to 200 cases into the U.S.
each year.
5. What do you use to treat for mosquitoes?
Many homeowners erroneously believe that all pest management
professionals do is spray products to treat their homes. This is
simply not true anymore. As part of the STEPS Total Protection
System, Arrow uses an Integrated Pest Management or IPM approach.
IPM controls pests by getting rid of the three things they need to
survive: food, shelter and water. And consumer education is a vital
part of any IPM program. This approach consists of inspection,
identification of the pests, employment of two or more control
measures, and evaluation of effectiveness through follow-up
inspections.
6. How often should a property be treated for
mosquitoes?
The length of effectiveness is dependent upon several variables
including temperature, humidity, surfaces treated, materials or
control methods employed. The time lapse between treatments depends
upon these factors and specifically the materials used.
10. What can homeowners do to reduce the risks from
mosquitoes?
There are many ways a homeowner can reduce the risks from
mosquitoes:
• Eliminate or reduce mosquito breeding sites by replacing all
standing water at least once a week. This includes bird baths,
ponds and swimming pools.
• Remove unneeded vegetation or trash from around any standing
water sources that cannot be changed, dumped or removed.
• Introduce mosquito-eating fish such as gambusia, green sunfish,
bluegills and minnows to standing water.
• Screen windows, doors, and other openings with fine mesh,
sealing around all screen edges and keeping doors and windows shut
to prevent entry.
• Avoid going outdoors when and where mosquitoes are most active:
during dusk or dawn.
• Use repellent on exposed skin whenever and wherever mosquitoes
are likely to bite. The most effective repellents currently
available contain the active ingredient N,N-diethylbenzamide
(DEET), in concentrations up to about 35% (greater concentrations
don't offer better protection).
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants, preferably
treated with a repellent as well.
Pests, Pest Control & Asthma
1. What's the connection between pests and asthma in
children? Could you explain it?
Cockroaches and rodents contain allergens that aggravate
existing asthma in children.
2. How does pest control (commonly called exterminating)
help alleviate asthma?
Proper pest control will help prevent or remove pests that can
trigger asthma. Arrow's service professionals can inspect the home
for these pests, treat to get rid of them and provide homeowners
tips to prevent reinfestation.
3. What are cockroach/mouse allergens? What is it in these
pests that causes the problem?
Allergens include pest "frass," or carcasses, feces and other
debris.
4. What happens after you control the pests? If the frass is
left behind, won't it pose a health risk also?
The residual frass is still an allergen, even after the pests are
removed. Arrow's service professional can remove the frass as
well.