ATLANTA PEST, TERMITE & WILDLIFE CONTROL COMPANIES

Read our reviews on Atlanta pest and termite control companies

Termite contracts

Pest control companies sell either a "termite re-treatment" warranty or a "termite re-treatment and repair" warranty.  The "termite re-treatment" warranty promises repeat treatments if termites come back but does not offer compensation for termite damage.  A "termite re-treatment and repair" warranty provides both treatment and some type of compensation for termite damage.  The amount of liability the pest control company assumes is usually specified in the agreement and varies from company to company. 

Because many termite control companies do not warrant other companies' work, switching termite companies usually requires re-treating the house.  Since the cost of re-treating is substantial, the best time to switch termite companies is at the end of term for the contract, not at an annual renewal.

Pest control

Traditional pest control services usually consist of treating a house with pesticides.  Depending on the types and quantities of the pesticides applied, the timing of treatments varies greatly.    Pest control service contracts typically cover pests in the house but not in the yard.  However, many companies will take care of specific yard problems for an additional charge.  

Indoor pests. Common indoor pest problems in Georgia include ants, cockroaches, earwigs, centipedes, silverfish, and scorpions. 

Outdoor pests. Common outdoor pests include palmetto bugs, bees, wasps, yellow jackets, pill bugs, crickets, fire ants, beetles, fleas, and mosquitoes.  Many of these pests can also become a problem indoors. 

Mosquitoes can invade any Georgia yard in the summer.  They bite, causing itchy, uncomfortable welts, and they can spread diseases like West Nile Virus.  Mosquitoes require standing water to reproduce and rarely fly more than a few hundred feet from where they hatch.  Therefore, removing areas of standing water is essential to controlling mosquitoes.  Potential problem areas include puddles, kiddie pools, buckets, gutters, and ponds—mosquitoes will not breed in treated water, such as a properly maintained swimming pool.  Monthly mosquito service also controls the nuisance of mosquitoes by repelling them with pesticide.  Treatments are applied to plants and areas of standing water.  Reducing the nuisance of mosquitoes does not eliminate the risk of contracting diseases.  For more information on West Nile Virus, contact the CDC at 888-246-2675.

Nuisance wildlife control

Some of the most common nuisance wildlife problems involve squirrels, mice, rats, and stinging insects.

Squirrels. Seeking warm, safe nesting locations, squirrels sometimes invade unprotected attics. Unfortunately, along with the nest, they bring food, feces, urine, litter, baby squirrels, noise, and sometimes ticks, fleas, or mites. The offending squirrel(s) must be trapped and relocated more than five miles away. The nest area must also be sanitized, and entryways to the attic must be closed.

Mice and rats. Mice and rats carry disease, urinate and defecate often, and generally make a mess. They live in groups, so if you see one, you probably have many more. The rodent must be trapped and removed from the property, and re-entry must be prevented. Rodents are aggressive gnawers, so gaps larger than one-half inch must be sealed. Avoid using poisons inside the home; as poisoned rodents decay, they produce unpleasant odors, some of which can be smelled inside the home.

Stinging insects. Due to their painful stings, yellow jackets, hornets, bees, and wasps are a considerable problem for homeowners. Many individuals are allergic to stings, and some may not even be aware of their allergies. For treatment, the technician usually treats the nest or infested area to eliminate the workers and queen bees. After the insects are gone, the nest is usually removed.

Pest, termite, and wildlife control companies

Pest and termite control companies, like any other company working in the home, should carry both workers' compensation and liability insurance. (Click here for more information on insurance.)

Because of the chemicals used, the Georgia pest control industry is highly regulated. Individual service representatives must be registered by the state. Regardless of the state's involvement, many homeowners still report problems with their pest control companies. Some companies do an outstanding job of fulfilling customer expectations, while others fall short of the mark. Our research identified some very good pest, termite, and wildlife control companies.

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