How a Professional Pest Control Service Saved the Day
Home & Garden Insider
How a Professional Pest Control Service Saved the Day
Discover the decisive role professional pest control plays in maintaining health and safety standards, with real-life stories of emergency interventions and innovative treatments. This article delves into the experiences of industry leaders who provide expert insights on tackling infestations ranging from roaches to termites. Learn about state-of-the-art pest management techniques and the importance of timely expert intervention.
- Rapid Response Saves Restaurant from Roaches
- Heat Treatment Eliminates Airbnb Bed Bugs
- Mosquito Control Through Larval Habitat Management
- Termite Inspection Uncovers Hidden Home Damage
- Expert Reassurance Calms Homeowner's Termite Fears
- Targeted Ant Colony Treatment Ends Kitchen Infestation
- Advanced Detection Tackles Hidden Termite Problem
Rapid Response Saves Restaurant from Roaches
We had a restaurant call us in a panic due to a sudden cockroach infestation just days before a major inspection. Our team responded immediately, identifying the source in an overlooked storage area. We implemented an integrated pest management plan, including targeted treatments and sanitation recommendations, and worked around their business hours to ensure minimal disruption. The restaurant passed its inspection with flying colors, and they've remained a loyal client ever since. What made our approach effective was our rapid response, strategic problem-solving, and commitment to long-term prevention rather than just a quick fix.
Heat Treatment Eliminates Airbnb Bed Bugs
An Airbnb owner contacted us due to a negative review about bed bugs. By this time, they had tried various sprays and over-the-counter foggers. But the bed bugs wouldn't go away.
We know the Airbnb owner needs a fast and sure solution because every day that their property is infested with bed bugs, they're losing money.
We chose to use our Heat Assault treatment. This system circulates hot air throughout the entire room and penetrates baseboards, crevices, mattress seams, etc. Basically everywhere and anywhere bed bugs could be hiding.
This treatment raises the temperature to about 145°F, which is above the 125°F needed to eliminate both the bugs and their eggs. This is one benefit of using heat instead of sprays because it kills both adult bugs and eggs.
However, this treatment is not as simple as heating the room and waiting for the bed bugs to die. We need to carry out an intensive preparation process which involves rearranging furniture, opening drawers, lifting mattresses, and more. This ensures that there are no obstructions to the airflow so the heat can get into every part of the room and the fixtures inside of it.
This is a great lesson for Airbnb owners and anyone who makes money from renting out their spaces. Everyone wants to save money by trying to remedy the problem on their own first. However, the time that you spend with trial and error may cost you more in the long run. We suggest contacting a professional pest control expert right away. Even if you don't book first, but just for a consultation to assess how serious the infestation is.
Mosquito Control Through Larval Habitat Management
After last fall's heavy rains (9") from hurricane Helene, a local community had a terrible mosquito problem develop. A colleague and I went to the site on a relatively cool morning, mid 50s, and saw a few mosquitoes, but it didn't match the story I had gotten from the resident, whom I knew and believed their descriptions. I thought about it overnight and went back the next day with mosquito surveillance traps in the middle of the afternoon. We were inundated with mosquitoes. Using our knowledge of mosquito biology and experience in the community, we found the larval habitat, a failed farm pond that only holds water during particularly wet periods. This creates a perfect site for flood-water mosquitoes to develop where it's wet part of the time, but occasionally dries up, so there are few predators available to suppress the population. We now monitor this site and treat it when mosquito larvae are observed with the biological larvicide, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti). This is a classic Integrated Pest Management approach, we identified the pest, located the larval habitat, conduct larval surveillance and treat, when necessary, with a biological larvicide. Thereby treating an acre wetland site, as opposed to needing to adulticide the entire neighborhood.
Another time I was called to the Georgia Pacific paper mill in Brunswick, GA. They were having a problem with Chironomid midges infiltrating the plant and getting in their paper products. They had a pest control company treating their wastewater treatment pond, so they thought this site was taken care of and not contributing to the problem. I have conducted a fair amount of "midge" research and was knowledgeable of their biology. Upon arriving at the plant site I surveyed the surrounding environment and couldn't help but focus on this wastewater treatment pond, that they assured me wasn't causing the problem. When I walked up to the pond, adult midges were plentiful on the grass around the pond. I had taken floating emergence traps with me and set them in the pond near the area where the adults were prominent. The next morning there were midges in the traps, indicating that they were emerging from the pond. We conducted extensive larval surveillance in the pond and found that they were developing in the extensive beds of cattails that surrounded the pond. The cattails were removed, removing the larval habitat and the problem was solved eliminating the need for larvicide applications.
Termite Inspection Uncovers Hidden Home Damage
One experience where professional pest control saved the day was during a termite inspection before purchasing a home. What seemed like a routine check turned into a crucial discovery--the inspection revealed hidden termite damage in the foundation that wasn't visible during a standard home inspection.
The pest control team's expertise made all the difference. They used advanced detection tools and knew exactly where to look for signs of infestation. Their detailed report not only helped renegotiate the home price to account for necessary repairs but also prevented a costly mistake. This experience reinforced the importance of a thorough pest inspection before buying a property, ensuring no surprises after moving in.
Expert Reassurance Calms Homeowner's Termite Fears
I can remember a time when a homeowner called me out for a termite inspection on their home. Termites can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time, and the uncertainty of the damage can create quite the panic. When I inspected the home, I did find active termites, but I was able to reassure them that they had caught the termite activity relatively quickly and that we could take care of the issue right away. When it comes to your home, something like termites can be terrifying to deal with. With the years of experience that we have treating and inspecting for termites, we were able to educate this customer and put their mind at ease by letting them know that we could treat and protect their home.
Targeted Ant Colony Treatment Ends Kitchen Infestation
Absolutely! We had a sudden ant infestation in our kitchen that seemed to come out of nowhere. No matter how much we cleaned or tried DIY sprays, they kept coming back. We called Alta Pest Control, and they scheduled a treatment right away.
The technician was super knowledgeable and explained that the ants weren't just coming in for food--they had a colony outside that needed to be treated at the source. Instead of just spraying the visible ants like we had been doing, they used a high-quality, commercial-grade treatment that targeted the colony itself. They also treated the yard with granules to prevent more ants from coming inside.
Within days, the ants were completely gone, and they haven't come back since. What made Alta Pest Control stand out was their thorough approach, clear communication, and their focus on long-term solutions rather than just a quick fix. Plus, knowing their treatments are friendly for kids and pets gave us peace of mind. Highly recommend them!
Advanced Detection Tackles Hidden Termite Problem
One experience where a professional pest control service saved the day was when we purchased a home with a hidden termite infestation. During the inspection, there were no obvious signs, but a few weeks after closing, we noticed soft spots in the flooring and sawdust-like material near the baseboards--a red flag for termite damage.
The pest control company's approach was particularly effective because they used advanced detection tools, including moisture meters and infrared imaging, to locate hidden colonies. Instead of just treating the visible areas, they applied a comprehensive baiting and barrier system around the entire property to eliminate the infestation at the source and prevent future issues.
What made the biggest difference was their long-term prevention plan, which included regular monitoring and recommendations for moisture control around the foundation. Thanks to their expertise, we avoided costly structural damage and protected the home's value.
The key takeaway is that a thorough, professional approach goes beyond just removing pests--it focuses on long-term prevention to stop the problem from coming back.
