pest control resources and faq

At Rove Pest Control we take pride in serving our customers and creating long term relationships with them. We have an excellent track record in both residential and commercial pest control services. We have always listened to our customer’s suggestions and concerns which has allowed us to create services that truly meet their needs.

What is an Associate Certified Entomologist? A pest control operator can become an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) after accumulating a minimum of 5 years of verifiable pest management experience, a current pesticide applicator’s license issued in the U.S. and the ability to pass a rigorous test on structural pest control knowledge. The major categories of competency covered by the ACE exam include:

• Basic entomology
• Identification, life cycles, and practical control measures for important structural pests
• Health impacts of pests
• Ecological principles pertaining to pest control
• Environmental impacts related to pest control
• Integrated pest management (IPM) principles
• Pesticide safety and health issues
• Pesticide technology, resources
• Organizations and associations of significance to the pest control industry
• Laws and regulations affecting the industry

In pest control, knowledge is king. Having this certification is one way companies can prove their knowledge and experience levels. Anybody can grab a can of bug spray and douse a room for the fleas that have been biting someone, but a pest control expert will know whether the issue is fleas, mites, bed bugs, medical, or something else. More knowledge and experience means more accurate treatment, more efficient treatment, quicker results, and faster detection of developing issues. A company that has an associate certified entomologist on staff indicates the company values individuals with a sense of pride and accomplishment as well as individuals who are dedicated to excellence.

Some pests threaten aesthetic properties of the home, others adversely affect the general enjoyment of the home, and other pests directly or indirectly damage the structure of the home itself. Clients working with us will receive assessments of current and potential threats based off of the structure, landscaping, and surroundings. Current issues may be addressed with specialized treatments and future issues may be prevented through treatments and/or environmental and/or behavioral changes. We work directly with our clients during each step of the process so issues are solved quickly and future issues are prevented ensuring that the aesthetic, practical, and actual value of the home are maintained or increased.

Wood destroying organisms in a structure will cause physical damage to the home that may affect core structural elements of the home. Other pests such as spiders decorating walls, trailing ants, or other wandering insects may startle occupants or provide unsightly additions to the home. Unfortunately, a home covered in cobwebs will be valued differently than the exact same home that is pest free. Other insects such as bed bugs or mosquitoes directly attack the residents causing a change in perceived value of the home and property.

Preventive services include inspection and barrier treatments. Professional inspections help locate pest issues in their earliest stages, long before they become apparent to a homeowner. Strategically placed barrier treatments help eliminate points of entry into a structure and keep populations in check that would otherwise flourish with the protection of a home. Preventive measures can also include environmental adjustments such as landscaping adjustments, trash receptacle location analysis, moisture management, and many other specifics around a home.

It is just as important to choose a company that is licensed with the state as it is to choose a company with helpful staff. It is important that technicians and representatives both explain what is being done as well as help individuals avoid making control mistakes that may have negative health or legal ramifications. It is also important to find out about the methods of control on specific pests of concern to make sure the options align with those desired by the individual.

Pest control operators are required to be licensed through the Department of Agriculture. In order to be licensed, the Department of Agriculture, requires a company to carry adequate insurance. In addition to the basic licensing requirements, some companies obtain additional licensing and certification in order to provide as many service options as possible to customers.

The best way to check a company’s reputation is to go online. Some companies have customer testimonials on the company website, but more can be learned from reading reviews on Google Maps, Angies List, Home Advisor, and other online communities.

Signs of pest problems may include the physical presence of pests, evident water damage in wood, signs of chewing or gnawing, or through a professional inspection. A routine inspection by a professional once each season will allow a trained eye to catch issues before they turn into more costly problems.

Some companies offer humane removal services where possible, but some do not. It is best to include this topic in the initial inquiry if it is of primary concern or interest. For every service we offer, we offer as many variations as we can to meet the needs of individual clients.

Basic preventive services for a broad spectrum of potential pests meant to maintain a barrier around the base of a home against crawling insects is the most common. The frequency will vary based on various surroundings and conditions that affect a location’s susceptibility to insects. Other service contracts are available for yards and specific plants or trees. Other service contracts are available for specialty automatic systems that can be installed and maintained on the property. In other cases, it is necessary to utilize service contracts geared toward control of a single, specific pest such as termites, mosquitoes, carpenter ants, bed bugs or others. Often times there are multiple ways to address a given scenario and the best choice will depend on the short and long term goals of the client.

Guarantees will vary depending on the type of pest being treated, how established the pest population has become, and the frequency of treatment. A more regular inspection and treatment rotation will yield a higher guarantee than a lower frequency. If the recommended service combination is accepted, it will typically be covered by a service guarantee under which the customer may have the company return free of charge to address new or recurring issues.

In most situations, the pests can be treated from the exterior, but there are some situations that will require interior access. In situations requiring interior access, the homeowner still does not necessarily have to be present, but may work with the company to coordinate convenient access.

Licensed pest control companies have access to products that are approved for use in food for consumption as well as products that require evacuation of the area to be treated. The choice of the methods to be used as well as the products to be used will be based on the need of the situation as well as the goals of the home or business owner. Special considerations and adjustments to service plans can be (and are often times) made to ensure the safest path is chosen.

Many pests require special knowledge and understanding of the biological background of the specific pest as well as related pests. Some ants, if sprayed with a standard over-the-counter spray, will “bud” or split their colony into multiple colonies in order to avoid death and destruction. Treating psocids without addressing the moisture issue will lead to no results and a lot of frustration. Improper approaches to treating a yellow jacket nest may lead to a painful sting. Improper usage of heat sources can lead to home fire. Improper setting of traps can cause non-target species to be harmed. Improper poison placement may lead to poisoning children or pets. A recent case we dealt with involved mice that transported bait to a place of food storage that the homeowner never intended and could not have predicted without special training in pest control.

Pets such as fish, cats, dogs, and others may be harmed if the proper precautions are not taken with treatments. Some treatments require a wait time before pets can resume access to an area, some require protective equipment around the treated area, and others may require nothing to protect the animal. It is best to inform us of pets that will be present and ask what the specific precautions are for the treatment to be done.