Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the questions that we most frequently receive at
Buggin Out Termite and Pest Control, Inc. regarding general pest
control (including ant control, spider control, flea control, rodent
control, etc.) and termite control. If you have any additional
questions, please contact us by calling (toll-free) 1-800-230-7002
or 727-535-2629. Or,
contact us with your question.
General Pest Control Questions
Why should I choose Buggin Out? Why
should I hire Buggin Out when I could try to do it myself?
What type of materials do you use and how
toxic are they?
Are Buggin Out technicians licensed? How can
I recognize a Buggin Out technician?
What areas do you service?
Do you require a long-term contract?
Do you accept credit cards?
What is "IPM"?
When I call your office with a pest
problem, how fast can you respond with treatment?
When you come to spray my house how long
will it take?
Can I be at home during treatment or do I need
to leave?
Is there anything I need to do to my home
prior to Pest Control treatment?
What if I touch an area that has been
sprayed?
Is it safe for my pet to go outside after
spraying?
If my house is treated inside, when will it be
safe for my children to crawl or play on the ground?
I have a bug and I don't know what it is. Can
you help me?
What is the difference between granules
and liquid spray?
If my house is sprayed right before it rains
will the pest control treatment wash away?
Do I have to empty my cupboards before
the interior of my house is sprayed or treated?
Should I shampoo my carpet before or after
getting the inside of my house treated for pests?
Is there anything I can use on the ants in my
house before my service technician comes for treatment?
Help! I have bed bugs. Can you get rid of them?
How are pests getting inside my house?
Can you help get rid of rats or other rodents?
Answers:
Q: Why should I choose Buggin Out? Why
should I hire Buggin Out when I could try to do it myself?
A: Quite a few customers call us in frustration after they have
already wasted time and money buying and applying over the counter
products to control their ant, spider, flea or other general pest
problems. Buggin Out will solve your problem efficiently without you
having to buy, apply or store pesticides. Homeowners very often over
apply pesticides, resulting in unnecessary personal exposure, or
potential environmental harm. Buggin Out also offers a 90-day
guarantee on treatments. If your pest problem persists within
90-days after initial treatment, we will come back for additional
service at no additional cost to you.
[Top]
Q: What type of materials do you use and
how toxic are they?
A: Most of the pesticides we use are classified in "Category III" -
the lowest in toxicity. Additionally, many of the materials that we
use are natural oils or plant derivatives. Our goal is to expose
only pests to pesticides by carefully following all of the
manufacturer's instructions as well as all rules and regulations
from our licensing agencies. Even relatively non-toxic materials
still require proper safety precautions. [Top]
Q: Are Buggin Out technicians licensed? How
can I recognize a Buggin Out technician?
A: All our technicians carry an I.D. card from the
Florida Deptartment of Agriculture to perform termite and pest control in
the state of Florida and undergo advanced training every year. This
I.D. card requires ongoing continuing education, and a demonstration
of knowledge of pest biology, pesticide safety, rules and
regulations, and proper sanitation. You can identify and recognize a
Buggin Out technician by their uniform and signature truck with our
"Buggin Out" logo. [Top]
Q: What areas do you service?
A: Our Largo office covers
Pinellas,
Pasco,
Hillsborough,
Hernando
and Citrus Counties. [Top]
Q: Do you require a long-term contract?
A: No, we do not require a long-term contract. We offer as-needed
services as well as monthly, bi-monthly, yearly and quarterly
service plans. We feel that if you are benefiting from our
maintenance service that you will remain an active customer. You
will not be penalized for cancelling your service. If you do wish to
re-start a cancelled service after 90 days, there will be a small
extra fee. [Top]
Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Yes, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and debit cards
are accepted. You can pay by phone, or by mail. Your check is always
welcome as well! [Top]
Q: What is "IPM"?
A: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the practice of using
improved sanitation, exclusion, cultural controls, habitat
manipulation, trapping, and targeted pesticide application to
control or reduce pest problems. In other words, we use knowledge
and common sense to prevent pests, not just pesticides. [Top]
Q: When I call your office with a pest
problem, how fast can you respond with treatment?
A: We try our best to meet your needs efficiently and effectively.
With that being said, our summer months are busy, and we give top
priority to all of our regular maintenance customers. Even in our
peak months, we can usually have help on the way within a day or
two, and even sooner for emergencies. Remember, good service
providers are often busy, but are worth the wait! [Top]
Q: When you come to spray my house how long
will it take?
A: It depends on the type of pest and many other factors. A routine
initial service for ants, for example, will often take less than an
hour, and still control the problem for several months. Your
technician will recommend things you can do to reduce pest pressure
around your home. Rodent problems may require several service visits
and cultural control measures as well. [Top]
Q: Can I be at home during treatment or do I
need to leave?
A: Your technician will advise you if it is necessary to leave the
home, or only to avoid specific areas until any treated surfaces
have had time to dry. Advise your technician of any sensitive
persons, pets, or organic gardens requiring extra care. Fish ponds
are especially sensitive and care will be taken to avoid any
exposure. [Top]
Q: Is there anything I need to do to my home
prior to Pest Control treatment?
A: Your technician will advise you to remove pet food, water dishes,
exposed food items, and children's toys from areas he needs to
treat. If there are active pests indoors, other items may need
attention. [Top]
Q: What if I touch an area that has been
sprayed?
A: You should avoid any treated areas until dry. That is the minimum
precaution for virtually all pesticides. If you accidentally touch a
moist deposit or are otherwise exposed to a diluted pesticide, wash
the exposed skin with soap and water. Remember that most of the
common materials that we apply have been highly diluted and should
not cause any ill effects. Consult the specific pesticide label for
any further recommendations. Our service invoice and your technician
will have further instructions for the specific products applied. [Top]
Q: Is it safe for my pet to go outside after
spraying?
A: Every pesticide requires that pets and people avoid treated
surfaces until dry. This is the minimum standard for all products.
Once dry, the material will not be easily transferred to paws or
human skin. [Top]
Q: If my house is treated inside, when will it
be safe for my children to crawl or play on the ground?
A: Generally 2 to 4 hours or until dry. Your technician will inform
you in advance of any precautions required by the label and our
safety policy. If you have any questions you can always feel free to
call our office. [Top]
Q: I have a bug and I don't know what it is. Can
you help me?
A: Sure! Our technicians can usually identify a bug by asking you a
few questions about where you found it, size, color, and general
shape. Occasionally, our Entomologist, Dennis Merrill, will need an
intact specimen to identify the less common bugs. [Top]
Q: What is the difference between
granules and liquid spray?
A: A granular form of a pesticide has the active ingredient
pre-diluted and impregnated on clay, paper or other sand like
particles. Granules can be equally effective to sprays in damp
winter conditions for a variety of crawling perimeter pests (ants,
earwigs, millipedes, Oriental Cockroaches, etc.). Sprays are most
effective on contact for ornamental and turf pests such as
caterpillars, aphids, scale, whiteflies, and most spring and summer
garden pests. [Top]
Q: If my house is sprayed right before it rains
will the pest control treatment wash away?
A: Pesticide applied to eaves, around windows, under patio covers,
and many pest harborages will be effective even if it rains. Dormant
Oil sprays need to dry a little before it rains to smother
overwintering insect eggs on shrubs and fruit trees. If pests
re-appear within 60 days, we will be happy to do extra service under
our standard guarantee. [Top]
Q: Do I have to empty my cupboards before
the interior of my house is sprayed or treated?
A: Sometimes, depending on the pest and the type of treatment. For
German Cockroaches it is necessary to remove all the food and dishes
to allow us to get access to every cockroach hiding place we can
find. [Top]
Q: Should I shampoo my carpet before or
after getting the inside of my house treated for pests?
A: If you are planning to shampoo the carpet, doing so before
treatment will maximize your treatment benefits. Sometimes fleas are
so bad that the carpet cleaner will not enter the room until we have
sprayed! In that case, a re-application should be scheduled
following the carpet cleaning. [Top]
Q: Is there anything I can use on the ants inside
my house before my service technician comes for treatment?
A: You can use soap and water for ants all over the counter. Other
household and over the counter sprays may complicate control, so
please ask the technician first before applying any chemical
yourself. [Top]
Q: Help! I have bed bugs. Can you get rid of them?
A: Yes, but be prepared for a major effort.
Bedbugs are perhaps the
most difficult pests we face. Please call us to discuss your problem
and the solution. [Top]
Q: How are pests getting inside my house?
A: There are often many areas around the exterior of the home that
can either be a pest attractant or an area conducive to pests. These
may include vents, windows, eaves, debris around the home,
landscaping issues, etc. Before applying treatment, Buggin Out
Service Technicians do an inspection and walk-around of your house
to help identify any problem areas. They note any problems on the
inspection form, and make suggestions of what can be done to reduce
pest pressure. After treatment, they will drop-off the inspection
form with you, provide an estimate for Buggin Out to repair any
problem areas, and answer any questions you might have. Buggin Out
is looking after your home and property! [Top]
Q: Can you help get rid of rats or other rodents?
A: Absolutely. Most of our technicians have a lot of rodent control
experience. Rodent proofing services are also available. Please
fight the temptation to toss "De-con" bait around, as this will
often lead to dead animal odors and flies, and frequently, no easy
solution to locate or remove the animal. Trapping and exclusion are
the best first steps in most rodent problems. [Top]