Got Questions?
Frequently Asked
Questions
Getting Started
How fast can someone come out?
Most homes get a technician within 24 hours of booking. If it's urgent, active bites, a swarm, visible damage, tell us when you call and we'll prioritize same-day where possible.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. We'll walk the property, identify what you're dealing with, and give you a straight price before any work starts. No obligation.
What areas do you service?
We cover San Diego County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Check our full list of service areas to confirm your city.
Pricing & Service
How much does pest control cost?
Cost depends on the pest, the size of your property, and whether it's a one-time visit or ongoing service. We give exact pricing after a free walkthrough, no guessing over the phone.
What if the pests come back?
We offer free re-treats between scheduled visits if the problem persists. Just call or text and we'll come back out.
Do I need to sign a contract?
No. Ongoing plans are month-to-month with no long-term lock-in. Cancel anytime.
Safety
Are your treatments safe for kids and pets?
Yes. We use EPA-registered products applied according to label and are trained to keep treated areas safe for families and animals. Your technician will tell you if any short wait time is needed before re-entering a treated area.
Do I need to leave the house during treatment?
Usually not. Most interior and exterior treatments don't require you to leave. If a specific product does call for it, your technician will let you know ahead of time.
Scheduling
What are your hours?
Monday–Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 8am–12pm. Closed Sunday.
Can I reschedule or cancel a visit?
Yes, just call or text us at (760) 690-2260 as early as you can and we'll find a new time that works.
General Pest Control
How much does it cost?
Pricing is dependent upon the size of the property, the pests and intensity of the infestation, and the frequency of treatment. Quotes are made after an inspection, so that we know what we are looking at and the cost is appropriate for the job. The inspection and estimate is free, and all costs are finalized before treatment begins.
Why is there more ant activity right after the first treatment?
This is one of the most common questions we get. It is not only common that ant activity spikes after the initial treatment, but a sign that it's working. Foragers carry the bait back to the colony to feed, so for 1-2 weeks you may see more. Avoid spraying store-bought products over the top, as this kills the carriers and stretches the process out. If activity is still persistent at the follow-up, we treat again.
Do I have to be home?
For the initial treatment, yes, because it includes the interior inspection. After that, exterior service does not need you there as long as we have all necessary access and any pets are secured. If you want interior treatment on a given visit, we schedule it around you.
Can I just get a one-time treatment?
You can, and sometimes that is the right call. One-time treatments are best for treating currently active pest problems, but they are not intended to maintain a preventative barrier afterward.
Do you treat apartments, rentals, and commercial properties?
Yes. We work with homeowners, landlords, and property managers on single units and whole buildings. Call and tell us what you are managing.
Do you handle wildlife or honeybees?
No. Gophers, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and other wildlife are outside what a structural pest license covers. Live honeybee colonies go to a keeper for removal rather than being exterminated.
Termites
Is the termite inspection really free?
Yes. A licensed inspector does a thorough check of the structure, identifies what is active, and tells you what it would take to treat it before we charge. Escrow and WDO reports for a real estate transaction are a separate, documented product and are quoted before we start.
How do I know if it is termites or flying ants?
Termite swarmers and flying ants can look similar, but have several distinctions. If there is a pile of discarded wings or frass (droppings), that points to termites. Send us a photo with your inspection request, and our team will confirm.
Do I have to tent my house?
Not necessarily. Fumigation is for drywood termite activity that is spread through the framing or hidden where local treatment cannot reach. If the activity is contained, local spot treatment may be the better option. The inspection will determine which treatment is needed.
How long does treatment take, and can I stay home?
Local treatments and bait station installs are usually a single visit, and you can stay. Soil treatment for subterranean termites takes longer because it involves trenching and sometimes drilling, but you remain in the house. Fumigation requires the house be tented and unoccupied for a set number of days, and it has to be cleared and tested before anyone goes back in.
Can termites come back after treatment?
A new colony of termites can always find a new way in, which is why the conditions matter as much as the treatment. Wood in soil contact, irrigation soaking the foundation, and firewood stacked against a house are common culprits. We flag any termite warnings during the inspection to guide future prevention.
I'm selling my house, do I need an escrow report?
An escrow or wood-destroying organism report is recommended for both buyers and sellers. We inspect the accessible areas, document findings with photos, separate active infestation from old damage that needs nothing, and issue a written report. Tell us your escrow timeline when you call so we can schedule around it.
Bed Bugs
Do I have to throw out my mattress?
Usually no. A treated and encased mattress is fine, and throwing it out before treatment can spread the problem. If it is structurally destroyed we will say so.
How do I prepare?
Our team sends a complete bed bug pre-treatment checklist after you book. The short version: launder bedding and clothing on high heat and seal it in bags, clear clutter from around the bed and along the walls, and do not move furniture into other rooms.
Is one treatment enough?
It is common that eggs hatch after the first treatment, which is why the follow-up visit is a part of our treatment rather than an addition.
Can I stay in the house?
The house must be vacant for a few hours on treatment day. Our technician will provide you the exact re-entry time and any necessary instructions for treatment day.
Rodents
How long does it take to get rid of them?
Most homes are quiet within two to three weeks. The first week is trapping, then we verify. A large population, a heavy attic infestation, or a house that backs to open space takes longer, and we will tell you that at the inspection instead of after.
Do you put poison in my house?
No. Bait goes in locked exterior stations only. Inside, we trap. Poison indoors means a rodent dies somewhere you cannot reach it, and then you have a different problem for three weeks.
Is trapping safe around pets and kids?
Traps are placed inside stations or in spots pets and children cannot get to, like the attic, the subarea, and behind appliances. Tell us where the dog goes and we plan around it.
Do you fix the damage?
We handle exclusion, contaminated insulation, and sanitizing. Structural repair, drywall, and electrical work go to a contractor, and we will tell you plainly which one you need.
Will they come back?
Not through the openings we sealed. Southern California has constant rodent pressure from canyons, palms, and neighbors, so exterior stations and periodic re-checks are what keep it from starting over.
What about gophers, squirrels, or raccoons?
Those are wildlife, not structural pests, and we do not handle them. Call us anyway and we will point you to someone who does.
Mosquitoes
How long does a treatment last?
Mosquito yard treatments last roughly three to four weeks depending on heat, rainfall and watering, and how much activity comes from neighboring properties. We recommend mosquito treatments on a routine cycle unless planning for a specific event.
Is it safe for bees and butterflies?
We treat resting sites, not blooming flowers, and we do not treat when pollinators are active on the plant.
Will it kill every mosquito?
No. Expect a large reduction in the breeding mosquito population and any resting on your property. Mosquitoes flying in from a neighbor's yard are outside what any treatment controls.
What can I fix myself?
Empty plant saucers and buckets weekly, keep gutters clear, change birdbath water, fix the sprinkler head that leaves a puddle, and flush bromeliad cups. That alone removes a large share of the breeding opportunity.
Do you treat before events?
Yes. Schedule a day or two in advance, and the yard will be comfortable the day of your event.
When should I start for the season?
Early spring. Later spring and summer starts still work, but can require catching up to the breeding population.
Stinging Insects
Is it safe to just wait it out?
In some cases, paper wasp nests in a low-traffic corner of the yard can be. A nest near a door, a play area, or a walkway is never good to leave. Any activity inside the home, wall, or ground should be treated urgently.
Can I spray it myself?
Store-bought sprays can knock down foragers and small nests. It's important to ensure active colonies, ground nests and wall nests in particular are treated by licensed professionals to prevent injury or further infestation problems.
Do you remove the nest or just kill it?
Both. As long as the nest is reachable, we treat and remove. Leaving a nest hanging invites a rebuild and can attract other pests.
What if it is inside a wall?
We treat interior wall colonies at the entry point so the workers distribute the treatment through the colony. Sealing the hole before treatment is the common mistake as it traps the colony, and they move into the living space.
Will they come back to the same spot?
A good location stays a good location, which is why we treat the entire site and remove the nest whenever reachable.
Do you remove honeybees?
No. We do not exterminate or remove honeybee colonies. If what you have is a swarm or an established hive in a wall, we will identify it and refer you to a keeper who removes them live.
What if the nest is on a neighbor's property?
We can only treat where we have the owner's permission. If the colony is next door, the treatment has to be booked by them. We will still inspect your property, and treat any activity or rebuild attempts on your property.
Still have a question?
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Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 8am–12pm · Serving San Diego, Orange County & the Inland Empire