Guide
One-time or recurring pest control
Neither is right for every house. It depends on which pest you have and why it keeps coming back. Ask any company you speak with whether it offers both.
Often one job
A single wasp nest is the clearest case. Paper wasps build a new nest each year, so treating this one deals with this year's problem, though you may see another next spring. A one-time fix also fits rodent work that is mainly sealing and trapping.
Usually a series
Some pests have stages that survive the first treatment. Flea pupae are well protected from sprays, and bed bugs usually take several visits. German roaches can produce a generation in about 100 days, so one visit may not hold. These are short series with an end, and they don't have to become a yearly contract.
Where a plan can make sense
Recurring service fits outdoor pressure that returns on a schedule. Crickets are a good example here, with peaks in August and September, as are ants that move in during hot, dry spells. It also suits a business, or a rental property with changing tenants.
Termite work has its own version. AgriLife notes that the standard warranty is one year, with renewals after that, and that a soil treatment needs no ongoing visits while bait stations do.
Before you sign
- How long does the contract run, and how do I cancel?
- Is each visit inside and out, or outside only?
- Do call-backs between visits cost extra?
- Which pests are covered, and which aren't?
If the contract came from a door-to-door sale, Texas gives you 72 hours to cancel.
Got pests in the house right now?
Call and say what you've seen and your ZIP code. You'll be connected with an independent pest control company. Allow a few minutes for the conversation.
Calls answered: Early morning to late evening