Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I have termites in my home or if I think termites are damaging my home?

A: Only a certified Pest Management Professional can perform a thorough termite inspection. The purpose of the inspection is to determine where and how termites are entering your home. After finding the answer to the question, the recommendation is made in regards to treating the property.

I had a pest control company treat my house for termites last year, but now I have termites again. What should I do?

A:The first step would be to see how long your guarantee is for the treatment and to find out if the treatment is limited or not. If you have a full guarantee, call the company back and they should address the problem. If the guarantee is no longer in effect, call the previous company and/or another company for a comparative bid. No matter how your home is constructed, where it is located or how old it is; it can be susceptible to termites. That is why our Company always recommends a treatment of your entire house not just limited areas.

Is the pest control company required to give me termite treatment disclosure documents before performing a termite treatment on my house?

A: This is a definite YES. Our industry is regulated by the Structural Pest Control Board of California and this is mandated.

What should I expect from a wood destroying inspection?

A: An Inspection involves a full inspection of your home for any evidence of termite activity and/or evidence of dryrot damage, or moisture conditions that could lead to an atmosphere for the termites. This means that we would inspect the exterior of your home, the interior of your home (checking for water leaks in the bathroom/kitchen areas) and inspecting the attic where applicable.

Are the products used dangerous to kids and pets?

A: Safety is our top priority. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) evaluates pesticides to ensure that they will not have unreasonable adverse effects on humans, the environment and non-target species, but because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms, pesticides may pose some risk to humans, animals, or the environment. All of our service professionals have been trained on the proper application of materials to insure a safe and healthy environment for your family and pets. All professional pest control products we use have been registered and approved by the California State Structural Pest Control Board.

Are Carpenter Ants dangerous to my home?

A: Carpenter ants are not merely a nuisance; they are a serious structural pest that needs to be addressed quickly. If the weather is mild and you happen to see one every few days, further inspection may be necessary. Try to locate the source. Seeing several daily is cause for concern and treatment.

What are five things I can do outside of my house to keep pests away?

  1. Inspect and seal any cracks and holes outside your home. Make sure vents are screened and gaps around windows and doors are sealed.
  2. Check around the perimeter of your home for leaky faucets and anything that allows moisture to pool around the base of your home.
  3. Eliminate debris from gutters.
  4. Trim tree branches and shrubbery from around your home.
  5. Store firewood and other wood at least 20 feet away from your home.

What are five things I can do inside of my house to keep pests away?

  1. Keep all kitchen areas clean (including floors) and free of useless clutter. Kitchen appliances should be kept free of spills and crumbs. Clean shelves regularly and store foods such as cereal, flour, and dog food in re-sealable containers.
  2. Keep garbage areas clean. Garbage should be stored in sealed containers and disposed of regularly.
  3. Check pipes and pipe areas around the house for leaks, cracks and gaps and seal and patch any problems if necessary. Leaky faucets should also be fixed.
  4. Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. If you have mold and mildew in your home or office crawlspace, it’s a symptom of an excess moisture problem.
  5. Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packaging thoroughly. Insects have also been known to come in on potted plants and in luggage.

What questions should homeowners ask during a professional termite inspection/treatment?

  • What type of treatment is recommended?
  • How long will the treatment take?
  • How much will it cost?
  • How long will it take to get rid of the termites?
  • What type of contract or guarantee is offered?
  • Are they a member of the National Pest Management Association?

Why should someone hire North American Termite and Pest Control instead of attempting to control their pest problems by themselves?

A: Just as you wouldn’t prescribe medicine for yourself or drill your own cavities – you shouldn’t attempt to control termites – or other pests – on your own. The products and the expertise offered by North American Termite & Pest Control far surpass what a homeowner could do on their own. Leave it up to the experts for peace of mind. Why risk it?

How difficult are termites to treat?

A: Termites are impossible for homeowners to treat on their own. On the other hand, North American Termite & Pest Controls’ professionals have the training, expertise and technology to eliminate termite infestations.

What are the different types of termite treatments?

A: There are two primary types of treatments available to NATPC customers: liquids and baits. Liquids are used around a home area to ensure long-term protection. Baiting systems involve placing monitoring stations in the ground.

What is the most effective type of termite treatment?

A: A trained and licensed NATPC Professional is the best person to make a recommendation for each particular property.

What can a homeowner do to prevent termites?

  • Termites love moisture; if you have any moisture around the foundation of your home, avoid that.
  • Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.
  • Prevent shrubs, vines and other vegetation from growing over and covering vents.
  • Be sure to remove old form boards, grade stakes, etc., left in place after the building was constructed. Remove old tree stumps and roots around and beneath the building.
  • Most importantly, eliminate any wood contact with the soil. An 18-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building is ideal.
  • It doesn’t hurt to routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of termite damage.

Can pests other than termites damage property?

A: Absolutely. Carpenter ants, carpenter bees and powder post beetles are all categorized as wood destroying insects. That’s why it’s important to have a professional identify the source of your problem and provide the treatment to control it.

How do you treat for Cockroaches?

A: Cockroaches have long been one of the most common household pests in our area, coming most frequently in the German, American, Oriental, or Brown-banded variety. It is a fact that if you do not eliminate at least 80% of the population in the first service, control is virtually impossible! We’ve developed years of expertise in solving cockroach problems. Our control strategy depends upon the species of cockroach, which is why inspection and identification is an important first step. Upon identification of the species and analysis of the situation, a strategy is developed. Use of pesticides may be appropriate in some cases. Increasingly, we utilize baits, carefully placed out of reach of children and pets, to eliminate cockroach populations. In other situations, insect growth regulators, which inhibit the ability of the cockroach to molt and grow, are used in combination with other methods. And additionally, we provide information to clients about the ways that they can minimize pest immigration and avoid providing harborage for pest populations. So you see, cockroach control is really best achieved through a combination of techniques – an “integrated” approach to pest management.

Does North American Termite & Pest Control have a service to control mice?

A: The house mouse is one of the most common pests triggering a call to North American Termite & Pest Control. They are best dealt with using an integrated approach including exclusion, sanitation, and population reduction. Usually traps are employed to eliminate mice living inside buildings but rodenticide baits occasionally have some utility as well. Each account should be inspected and assessed for the best approach to use at each home/building.

Does North American Termite & Pest Control have a service to control moths?

A: Most pest moths fall into one of two categories: 1) stored product pest moths, or 2) clothes moths. We can help solve problems with both groups of pests. In both cases, the solution involves identifying the source and eliminating them; in conjunction, a program can be devised to monitor for their presence. Programs vary widely depending on the account. Residential services and commercial services can take on radically different approaches and each requires individual assessment.