Why do pests want to make my home their home too?
Common household pests, such as ants and cockroaches, along with rodents need the same things humans need to survive. That is, they need food, water and a place to live. Unfortunately, your house provides them the same essentials that you need. If you can eliminate their access to any of those essential elements, it will help in controlling the pest. There are a number of steps a homeowner can take to help keep their home pest-free. See the "Homeowner’s Tips" section under Pest Prevention in our website for more information.
How can you control pests inside my home if you only service the outside?
Most pests live, eat and reproduce in the environment outside your home. In their quest for survival, your home provides pests with the same essentials that you need.
If pests are inside your home, we will service the cracks, crevices and void areas inside of your home, until the problem is completely eliminated. After the interior problem is eliminated, our service focuses on the outside of your home to prevent pests from getting inside your home in the first place.
Why should I hire a professional pest prevention service?
While "do it yourself" pest control is certainly an option for homeowners, most lack the knowledge that professionals have to treat pest problems effectively. Professional pest managers are educated, trained and certified to handle the specific urban pest issues that you will encounter in and around your homes or offices. They are also trained in the safe handling and proper application of materials used to control pests. The following are some general guidelines for choosing a pest management company:
- Look for a reputable company with knowledgeable and professional representatives.
- Ask friends and associates to recommend companies they use or have used.
- Look for memberships in industry associations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) that provide ethical guidelines and technical information.
- Be certain the company is licensed by your state’s regulatory agency.
Why do I need to have my home inspected to determine the cost of your service?
No two homes or two pest problems are exactly alike. Therefore, DILIGENT Lawn & Pest Control "customizes" our treatment program based on the specific information found during the inspection process. Our professional inspectors conduct a thorough inspection of your home and property and provide you with a detailed report outlining their recommendations and specific treatment program for your particular situation. They will also point out areas that require your attention. And the inspection is provided to you free of charge.
How often should I water?
Watering frequency should be determined by the rate at which the soil in the plants root zone dries out. The rate at which the soil dries is determined by the type of soil (sand vs. clay), the type of shrub or grass pulling water from the soil and the temperature. As a general rule, 3/4 to 1 inch of water 2 times per week is more than adequate for most landscapes. During the winter months, 3/4 to 1 inch of water once every 7 to 10 days is usually adequate. Any rainfall that occurs between your watering schedule should be counted towards your watering goal.
Why Should I Use a Professional Lawn, Tree and Shrub Care Service?
The professionals at DILIGENT Lawn & Pest Control truly understand the problems you are faced with when caring for your landscape.
Weeds, insects and diseases can devastate a landscape if they are not recognized early and dealt with effectively.
DILIGENT Lawn & Pest Control takes the guess work out of caring for your landscape.
When you compare the cost to doing it yourself, a professional can save you time, money and frustration.
What is aeration and why does my yard need it?
Aeration is a process that removes cores of soil from your lawn and allows oxygen, water and nutrients to flow freely into the root zone of your lawn. It improves the overall health of your lawn by improving the condition of it’s root system. Aeration helps to conserve water by improving the lawns root system and reducing water runoff by opening up the soil to receive the water downward rather then onto sidewalks and driveways.
What Can I Do About All These Weeds In My Lawn?
The best thing you can do is create a thick, healthy lawn through proper fertilization, mowing and watering practices. The professionals at DILIGENT can help design a customized program that ensures the thickest and healthiest possible lawn for your landscape. We will regularly consult with you on how and when to water and we will use targeted treatments to help remove obnoxious weeds.
What Type of Grass is Best For My Lawn?
This depends on the environmental conditions at your home. Some grasses do better in full sun than shade and vice versa.
What is a termite swarm?
A subterranean termite swarm happens when male and female winged termites fly off from the colony on mating flights to start new colonies. These mating flights usually occur once a year between January and April on hot, sunny days after a couple of rainy days. Most people become aware of subterranean termites only after they swarm inside their home. Termites can swarm inside a home if there is an infestation in the walls or ceilings. Swarmers will emerge from small holes made by worker termites and the swarm will last about 40 minutes.
How can I tell the difference between an ant and a termite?
There are three ways to distinguish a swarming termite from a swarming ant.
- Antennae: A termite has a straight antenna, while an ant has an elbowed antenna.
- Waist: A termite has a broad waist, while an ant has a pinched/slender waist.
- Wings: Both pairs of wings on a termite are equal in size, while the second pair of wings on an ant is shorter than the first pair.
My next door neighbor had a termite problem and had to have their home repaired and treated. What can I do to protect my home from termites?
Unfortunately, in the south the typical home sits on top of three to four termite colonies, with up to one million termites per colony. So there is a good chance of termites finding their way into your home. Therefore, you should have your home inspected by a termite professional on an annual basis. If your home is not currently under warranty with a professional pest management company, you need to consider putting your home on a termite protection program to protect yourself from future problems.
There are also a number of things you can do to make your home less attractive to termites.
Contact DILIGENT Lawn & Pest Control for a Free, No Obligation Inspection and for additional information about termites, treatment options and guarantees. FREE INSPECTION
If I don’t see termites around my home, does that mean I don’t have a termite problem?
Unfortunately, no! In fact, you may never actually see subterranean termites because they live in the ground. But they can enter homes through cracks and openings as narrow as 1/64th of an inch, about the thickness of a piece of paper. Termites can also enter through expansion joints in the slab, around plumbing pipes and behind stucco, siding and brick veneer. Once introduced into the wood inside your home, termites can cause enormous amounts of damage before you ever know they are there. That is because they eat wood from the inside out making them extremely difficult to detect. The vast majority of their destructive work is invisible.
Which treatment method is the most effective to protect my home from termites?
There are basically three treatment methods used for subterranean termite control, soil treatment, baits and wood treatments. The best treatment for your home will depend on many factors that are unique to your home, your termite problem and your personal preferences.
- Soil Treatments: Usually applied directly to the soil in, under and around your home. This treatment sets up a continuous treated area that will control termites once they come in contact with the material.
- Wood Treatments: A preventative treatment or in conjunction with one of the other methods listed above, the wood itself is treated with a borate material, and termites either avoid the treated wood or feed on it and die.
These methods are highly effective if applied, installed and serviced correctly. Contact DILIGENT Lawn & Pest Control for a Free, No Obligation Inspection and for additional information as to what treatment method is best for your particular situation. |
