Dec 28, 2015 | Going Green, Mosquito, Pest Control, Termite Control, Wildlife
With so many exterminators to choose from, it can be overwhelming for a business or homeowner to determine which company is the best option. Here are a few things to look for when considering which pest control company is right for you:
1. Multiple Service Options
Does the pest control company offer multiple services for pests, termites, mosquitoes, bed bugs, wildlife, and other household pests? As temperatures and weather conditions change throughout the year, it’s likely that you’ll encounter several different pests at different times. Having an exterminating company that can handle all of your pest needs will save you time AND money. Most often, the pest company can handle multiple service requests during one appointment, send you one bill for all services, that’s usually at a discounted rate (bundle services and SAVE!).
2. Green, Eco-friendly Services
Is the environment and your family & pets a concern for you when considering exterminators? Most likely it is, and should be. Pest control companies today should offer green alternatives to traditional services – like green pest control, green termite control, and green mosquito control. With advancements in technology, green services are just as effective as traditional services if applied correctly and will give you peace of mind, knowing family and pets are not at risk. It’s also not a bad idea to ask for a list of products used. Some exterminating companies claim to offer “green” pest control, but are only using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach – which utilizes less product to target specific pests – but not always with eco-friendly pest control products.
3. A Positive Reputation
Most pest control companies, like other services companies, will have customer reviews online or a word-of-mouth reputation. Use caution if a company has no reviews or if you’ve never heard of them; they may be newly established with less industry experience.
4. Years in Business
Because there is so much competition in the pest industry, some newer start-up companies won’t stay in business. While they may offer cheaper prices up-front, your warranty could be compromised, OR they could close their doors without fulfilling their agreement. It’s best to choose a company that’s been around for awhile, that has proven, effective pest control methods, offers highly-trained technicians, and that stands behind their warranties.
May 1, 2015 | Pest Control, Termite Control
What are Swarming Termites?
Termite swarmers, often mistaken for winged ants, are most active during the Spring months, when they fly away from their colony to reproduce. They’re attracted to bright, light areas and often seen around doors and windows in homes. While termite swarmers usually die within 24 hours and do not cause wood damage, they’re a sign that a destructive termite colony is near.
Ants vs. Termites
How can you tell the difference between flying ants and swarming termites?
Flying Ants
Swarming Termites
Because both pests are so small in size, it’s often hard to distinguish the difference. If you’re unsure, contact your local exterminating company. A pest control professional will quickly identify the issue and provide you with treatment recommendations. If you are seeing swarming termites, it’s important to have your home treated for termites as soon as possible, preferably with a termite warranty. This will protect you against future infestations and often damage repairs. Again, swarming termites do not cause property damage…but they do indicate that a colony of damage-causing termites is close by, with your home being their current or potential food source.
Termite Treatments for Swarming Termites
There are several termite treatments available for termites. A termite baiting system is a popular choice, for many reasons. Baiting systems, like Sentricon Always Active, are proven to eliminate entire colonies of termites. They also provide ongoing protection and are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional liquid soil termite treatments. Most baiting systems also come with a great warranty, and can include lifetime repair coverage for your home.
For more information on termite control services in your area, click on the links below.
Atlanta Termite Control
Savannah Termite Control
Nashville Termite Control
Chattanooga Termite Control
Feb 27, 2015 | Termite Control
You probably aren’t too concerned with termites just yet, with the recent icy weather here in Georgia and the Southeast. BUT…prevention is key to preventing termite damage and now is the time to get prepared.
In the South, termites start swarming in early Spring. So if you don’t already have a termite control plan, it’s time to think about getting one. While swarming termites do not cause structural damage, it’s a sign that a termite colony is hard at work nearby. This could mean severe structural damage to your home that will result in hundred and thousands of dollars in repair costs. So what’s the solution?
Termite Prevention
There are several methods of termite control and deciding which termite treatment is right for your home can be overwhelming. After all, we’re talking about protection for one of your largest investments! And since termite damage typically isn’t covered by homeowners insurance, it’s important to not only have your home treated, but to have a solid termite warranty.
Termite Treatment Options
If you have a really good understanding of how termites work, you could attempt DIY termite control. There are several options for this from traditional liquid barrier treatments to termite baiting systems. This can be a difficult task if you have any slabs attached to your home or a basement. A liquid barrier must be complete with no breaks in order to keep termites out. Want a pro? Keep reading.
Liquid Barrier Termite Treatment
Some pest control companies will recommend a liquid treatment if you have active termites or damage. This provides instant and long-term termite protection. Make sure your termite company includes a good warranty with your treatment, ideally one that covers termite re-treatments and any damage caused post-treatment.
Borate Wood Treatment
This type of termite treatment is ideal when your home is in the construction phase. The wood frame is treated with a product called borates, elements from the earth, that will give you permanent termite protection and also help ward off common household pests.
Termite Baiting Systems
Baiting Systems are proven effective at eliminating entire termite colonies underground around your home, less invasive than liquid treatments, ideal for new and existing construction, and usually come with a lifetime warranty. It’s also the environmentally-responsible way to protect your home from termites, by eliminating the use of hundreds of gallons of chemicals. With Sentricon Always Active, our preferred choice for baiting systems, monitoring devices are placed in the ground strategically around your the perimeter of your home. The devices have a bait tube inside that termites are attracted to. Termites will find the stations, eat the bait and share with their colony, resulting in colony elimination.
Other things you can do to prevent termites:
1. Keep mulch away from your home’s perimeter. This is a food source for termites.
2. Keep any items made of wood away from your home. Firewood, cross ties, that construction project you’ve been working on…all are potential food sources for termites.
3. Keep your gutters cleaned. Termites love moisture so keeping the ground around your home dry is key.
Signs of a potential termite infestation:
If you see a swarm of “flying ants”, it’s probably termites. Find out more on how to tell termites from ants here.
Termite swarmers will usually leave behind small transparent wings. If you see anything like this around your home, call an exterminator.
For more specific information on termite control in your area:
Atlanta Termite Control
Savannah Termite Control
Nashville Termite Control
Feb 9, 2015 | Going Green, Termite Control
In Green Living – Part 1, we talked about Green Pest Control. In addition to controlling pests with non-toxic products and application methods like IPM, innovative pest control companies also offer green termite control options. So how do eco-friendly termite treatments work, and how do you decide which termite treatment is best for your home?
Traditional termite treatments usually involve treating the soil around the perimeter of your home with hundreds of gallons of termiticide, to create a barrier that termites either can’t penetrate (a repellent termiticide) or kills them on contact (non-repellent termiticide). In this process, it’s important that the barrier is completely continuous with no gaps or breaks to eliminate entry point for termites, which would allow them access to your home to cause significant structural damage. Any concrete that covers the perimeter soil, like patios, must be drilled so that the termiticide can penetrate the ground underneath. While this method has been proven effective to reduce termites and prevent damage, there are termite treatment options today that are less invasive, don’t require large amounts of chemicals, and just as effective.
Green Termite Control Options
Post-Construction Termite Treatments
The most popular and effective eco friendly termite treatments are baiting systems. The only termite baiting system to be awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Award by the EPA is Sentricon – our choice for termite protection.
Sentricon works to eliminate termites at their source – the colony. Unlike repellents, termite actually prefer Sentricon’s termite bait over wood, making it a good food source alternative that termite workers take back and share with their colony. The result is termite colony elimination. The bait is located in Sentricon stations that your pest control professional will install in the ground around the perimeter of your home. The stations are flush with the ground and won’t interfere with your landscaping. They’re checked routinely by your exterminator for activity and to replace eaten bait tubes. It’s an ongoing process of monitoring and baiting to ensure your home is protected from termites year-round. The best part: no chemicals and no structural modifications required.
Here’s a great video explaining the difference between traditional soil termite treatments and the Sentricon System.
Pre-Construction
Building a house or renovating? Use borates, naturally-occuring minerals effective in killing termites and other pests, to treat the wood used during construction. Once the wood is treated and penetrates throughout, borates provide permanent protection against termites. The active ingredient in borates, borate salt, works as a termite repellent, making your homes structure an unappealing food source.
For more on green termite treatment options, contact your local pest control company.
Jul 16, 2014 | Termite Control
You have termites…now what? What are your termite treatment options?
So you’ve called your termite extermination company out to your home and they confirmed your suspicions that yes, you have termites! There are many different termite treatment options so how do you know which one is right for your home?
Each termite infestation is unique, just like each home is unique. What works for your neighbor’s home may not work for yours. By working closely with your licensed termite professional, you can develop a customized termite treatment plan that is right for your situation.
So what are some of the termite treatment options?
- The Sentricon Termite Baiting System – This termite baiting system is an environmentally friendly option to preventing and eliminating termites. Termite monitoring stations are placed around the perimeter of your home. Termites take the bait and share it with other termites. When the bait is ingested it helps to control the termite colony.
- Liquid Termite Treatments – Liquid Termite treatments can be used inside, outside, and even on the structure. The method of application depends on the type of structure. Termites come into contact with the product, ingest it, and share it with their colony.
Regardless of what type of termite treatment you choose, it’s important that you maintain ongoing termite control. Your trusted termite exterminating company will help provide ongoing monitoring to ensure that your home stays free of termite infestations.
Northwest Exterminating offers free termite inspections.
Jul 9, 2014 | Termite Control, Uncategorized
How to Maintain the Value of Your Home with Termite Control
Your home is probably the biggest investment that you will make in your lifetime. Not only is it a monetary investment but it’s a place where you want to feel safe, comfortable, and at peace when you are there. So what does termite control have to do with the value of your home?
Termites work 24/7 to find food. Unfortunately for us, and our homes, their choice of food is wood…as in the wood that is used to build our houses. So here we have these creatures that are eating wood around the clock…they are bound to cause damage.
Termite damage can be severe. Each year, termites cause over $2 billion of damage to homes in the US. In most cases, termite damage is not covered under homeowner’s insurance. So with all of that being said, it’s easy to see why termite protection is important to maintain the value of your home.
Preventing Termite Damage To Your Home:
- Be proactive. Don’t wait until the damage is done. Prevent termite infestations before they have a chance to cause damage.
- Have a reputable exterminating professional perform a termite inspection on your home. This will help to determine if you have active termites or termite damage already. They can also educate you on things you can do to deter termites away from your home.
- Save time and money by working with your pest control professional to treat your home with the termite treatments that are right for your property and situation.
By maintaining the quality of your structure you are maintaining the value of your investment, your home.
Jul 17, 2012 | Fire Ant, Mosquito, Pest Control, Termite Control, Wildlife
Community managers, property managers, and homeowners associations are in place in communities to enforce bylaws, maintain safety, maintenance and upkeep, and the general property value of a community. This is no easy task. The management teams above have their work cut out for them. It can difficult to deal with so many different trades in order to maintain a community. But with Northwest Exterminating, community managers can check pest and termite needs off of their list of worries.
Northwest Exterminating has a team in place that specializes in the pest and termite needs of management companies. Our Community Management Services Team is familiar with the demands of management companies and is in place to assist them with: termite control, pest control, mosquito control, wildlife control, fire ant control, and carpenter bee control. We provide pest and termite services for single-family detached housing, multi-unit housing, clubhouse, amenity buildings, and condominiums.
With professional representatives, ongoing training of staff, convenient billing, repair warranties, multiple locations throughout Georgia and Tennessee, and over 60 years of experience, Northwest is community manager’s choice for pest control.
For more information on how Northwest Exterminating’s Community Management Services team can help you, visit us online or call us at 888.466.7849.
Jul 17, 2012 | Fire Ant, Mosquito, Pest Control, Termite Control, Wildlife
Community managers, property managers, and homeowners associations are in place in communities to enforce bylaws, maintain safety, maintenance and upkeep, and the general property value of a community. This is no easy task. The management teams above have their work cut out for them. It can difficult to deal with so many different trades in order to maintain a community. But with Northwest Exterminating, community managers can check pest and termite needs off of their list of worries.
Northwest Exterminating has a team in place that specializes in the pest and termite needs of management companies. Our Community Management Services Team is familiar with the demands of management companies and is in place to assist them with: termite control, pest control, mosquito control, wildlife control, fire ant control, and carpenter bee control. We provide pest and termite services for single-family detached housing, multi-unit housing, clubhouse, amenity buildings, and condominiums.
With professional representatives, ongoing training of staff, convenient billing, repair warranties, multiple locations throughout Georgia and Tennessee, and over 60 years of experience, Northwest is community manager’s choice for pest control.
For more information on how Northwest Exterminating’s Community Management Services team can help you, visit us online or call us at 888.466.7849.
Jun 27, 2012 | Company News, Going Green, Mosquito, Pest Control, Termite Control
Introducing Green Elite by Northwest Exterminating
We’ve been working on something really big for our customers and we’re proud to announce that it’s finally here…GREEN ELITE!
At Northwest Exterminating, we have made a name for ourselves as the GREEN leaders in pest and termite control! So it is only fitting that our newest program allows customers to continue to GO GREEN with us! We wanted to develop a program that would benefit our customers and be an environmentally friendly solution for our environment. Many of our customers have more than one service with us. Since these services were typically on different schedules, our representatives were oftentimes making more than one trip out to a property to complete different services. Customers were also getting billed individually for each service. We knew there was a Greener way! Keeping with our “Go Green” mentality, we thought that by grouping green services like pest, termite, and mosquito, we could reduce our carbon footprint by making fewer trips to complete services, reducing fuel costs, and reducing the amount of paper that we use in our billing process…all while saving the customer money! It’s truly a WIN-WIN!
Green Elite customers get our Sentricon Termite Elimination System and NorPest Green Pest Control. Green Elite Plus customers get our Sentricon Termite Elimination System, NorPest Green Pest Control and our Green Mosquito Control services. When you are a Green Elite or Green Elite Plus customer you get the benefits of convenience billing, low monthly payments, and discounts on additional services:
We like to have fun around Northwest Exterminating! So to get our team members excited about Green Elite, we had a party!! And to spice things up a bit, we’re having a competition on which service center had the most Green Elite spirit! You can help us decide the winner by visiting our Facebook page, going to the “Green Elite Spirit” photo album and voting for the branch with the most Green Elite spirit! You are NOT going to want to miss these pictures!
Want to join the Green Elite? Click here or call us at 888.466.7849 to Group Green & Save Green!
