Atlanta Pest Control

Atlanta Pest Control Company Blog

Termite Swarming Season

Termite Swarming Season
This is the time of year that termites swarm (reproductive termites forced out of their shelter tubes to mate and start new colonies)) in Atlanta and surrounding areas. Swat Services provides inspection and treatment for these home invaders that do more damaged annually, to homes than wind, lightning and fire. The estimate for termite damage in the US is 5 billion dollars annually. Damages are seldom covered by insurance. Swat’s termite treatment program is designed to kill existing termites and protect your home from future infestations. Our treatments are warranted for life for re-treatment of any future active termite infestation and the repair of any damage caused by a future termite infestation. The warranty is renewable annually and is fully transferable to any subsequent owner of the property without payment of any transfer fees.

Homeowners in Atlanta can minimize their chances of a termite infestation by using these common sense guidelines while maintaining their house.

#1 Eliminate negative slope of soil at the exterior foundation and extend gutter downspouts away from the house to low point in yard.

#2 Choose you mulch wisely, avoid using wood chips adjacent to the foundation. Leave about 12 inches clearance away from foundation when placing mulch.

#3 Do not store firewood next to the structure, even if you have a concrete slab adjacent to your home and if possible store the firewood off the ground. Eliminate scrap wood and wooden debris near your home, under your deck or in your crawl space.

#4 Avoid using landscape timbers, railroad ties or other wooden materials that may serve as food for termites. If you feel the need to use these materials, leave space where the material joins the foundation.

#5 Adjust your sprinkler heads to avoid spraying water against the foundation of the house and use caution when watering in these areas.

#6 Eliminate all wood to ground contact at deck/porch support posts, step stringers and siding. You should be able to see the concrete footings at support posts and have discernable clearance at all siding, including cement fiber materials. Remove all cellulose debris from crawl spaces.

#7 Be careful when landscaping not to disturb any chemical from your termite treatment. If you dig up the soil around your foundation or make any additions to your house that changes the footprint of the house, call your termite company for re-treatment.

Remember, Metro-Atlanta is considered a high risk area for the likelihood of a termite infestation. If you see swarmers, think you may have a termite infestation or simply want a free termite inspection, call Swat Services at 770-565-SWAT.

Irvin warns Georgians to protect structures against termite infestation after recent flooding

Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin alerts Georgians that they need to “consider options” in preventing future termite infestations as a result of recent flooding in the northern part of the state.“Structures in Georgia are particularly vulnerable to termite attack and it is important to be protected,” says Irvin, whose department license structural pest control operators.

How To Choose A Household Pest Control Company

Atlanta Pest Control Licenses

Make sure the company providing pest control at your home for you and your loved ones is properly licensed. In the state of Georgia, all Pest Control Companies must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, must have a Designated Certified Operator (DCO) certified in all categories of service provided (HPC-Household Pest Control, WDO-Wood Destroying Organisms, F-Fumigation) and all service technicians (CO) and sales personnel must be registered in the categories they service or sell. DCO’s and CO’s must pass an examination administered by the state to get licensed and registered and must accumulate continuing education hours to maintain their certification. There have been recent documented incidents where unlicensed and unregistered individuals were performing pest control service at homes and applying pesticides inconsistent with rules, regulations and label directions. The company should also have a business licensed in the city where their office is located.

Pest Control References

Check references. Log on to www.atlanta.bbb.org or call the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see what rating the BBB has given the company and if there are any unresolved complaints. Ask the company to provide at least three (3) references of customers who have had their service for a minimum of three years. Ask specifically if they can provide a reference from someone near your home.

Pest Control Treatment Methods

Ask the company for specific steps they will use in their Atlanta pest control program and specifically, if they use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. IMP utilizes all available control measures and requires homeowner cooperation for maximum effectiveness. Some of the control methods using IPM include sanitation, exclusion and multiple pest management products. At minimum, any treatment program should include a thorough inspection of the premises, determination of the extent of the pest problem and determination of the pests to be controlled before any treatment is done. In addition, the service technician should discuss the active ingredient(s) in the pesticide(s) chosen to use and risk these products present for you, your family and pets. Finally, any available non-chemical alternatives should be discussed and considered. Ask yourself the following questions: Do the proposed techniques fit my lifestyle? Am I willing to act on suggestions for sanitation and exclusion, if asked? Do I prefer monthly, quarterly or annual service and would outside only service be an option for me?

Guarantee

Make sure the company will return to your home as many times as necessary between scheduled stops to solve your pest problem and know what you must do to have the company honor it’s guarantee.