How do I prevent pests from entering my home?

Preventing pests is the best way to fight them, and the first step usually involves eliminating their harborages near your home. Remove any lumber, debris or shrubbery away from your home, and keep mulch plant beds at least 12 inches from your foundation. Firewood stacks should be stored in a dry area away from the side of your house. You should also schedule regular inspections by a pest control expert to help eradicate "silent" attackers before they become a big problem.

What should I keep in mind while searching for a pest control company?

There are a number of tips you can follow when looking for pest control experts to service your home:

1. Ask neighbors for references. Word of mouth is a powerful tool to find out about the best - and worst - companies.
2. Reputable pest control companies are licensed with your state's regulatory agency. The Department of Agriculture is a good place to start.
3. Memberships with industry associations, such as the National Pest Management Association, are a strong indicator that a company stays up to date on ethical and technical practices.
4. Check each company's knowledge on a variety of pests and construction types. Good companies should be able to service a wide variety of problems in most types of structures.
5. Ensure the company provides reinspection and retreatment services, plus repairs for damages while under contract.

Which termite treatment methods are most effective?

It depends on your specific situation. There are two main types of treatment systems - liquid and baiting. With liquid treatments, termites ingest the liquid termiticide and pass it on to other termites in the colony. The chemicals in the termiticide are designed to kill the termites over time, giving them an opportunity to pass transmit it to the entire colony. Traditionally, termiticides included repellent materials designed to turn termites away from their intended targets. Today's termiticides eliminate the pests altogether.

Baiting is the other primary treatment system for termite infestations. Termite baits consisting of paper, cardboard or other termite food source are placed in the ground where termites would typically forage. The baits are laced with slow-acting agents also designed to kill termites over time. Termites that enter the bait for food, and then ingest the chemicals, will pass the lethal chemicals on to other termites in the colony.

Both methods are considered safe and effective.

Will the chemicals harm my family or pets?

No. Terminix uses chemicals that are found to be safe to humans, pets and the environment. We test our chemicals thoroughly, and they are then independently evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure their safety. If you still have concerns, you may want to consider baiting as an alternative to direct liquid application.

If pests reappear after treatment, has my treatment service failed?

Not necessarily. Not every pest treatment is 100% effective on the first application - even from the most reputable companies. Remember, you're dealing with living creatures, and they can often find unprotected gaps in the treatment barrier. That's why it's important to choose a company that provides reinspection and retreatment at no extra charge. Experienced pest control professionals will continuously service your home until the problem is eliminated.

What is the Terminix Pest Guarantee?

Under the Terminix Pest Guarantee, you get:

• Monthly visits to control for pests covered under your plan
• Additional service at your request to address specific pest issues
• Complete satisfaction or your money back on your last service

What is the Terminix Termite Guarantee?

The Ultimate Protection® Guarantee offers the strongest protection in the industry as long as you keep your Terminix termite plan. It includes:

• Same-day service - If you notice an immediate problem, call us and we'll provide a solution within 24 hours.
• Done right the first time - If we don't provide the level of service you expect the first time, we'll come back at no extra cost until you're satisfied.
• Money-back guarantee - If you're not happy with your service within the first 30 days, we'll cancel your plan and refund your annual payment.
• Lifetime damage repair - If you ever notice termite damage caused by live activity while covered by a Terminix plan, we'll cover the repairs - guaranteed. We'll also treat the live problem at no extra cost. That's our promise to you.