PEST CONTROL
Q: How do I know if I need to have my house treated for bugs?
A: Typically seeing the pests themselves is the first sign. However, there could be problems developing outdoors which could lead to invasive pests entering your home. We are trained to inspect and identify evidence of these issues. Here in the valley, it's a good idea to have routine pest control service to stop these issues before they become major issues.
Q: Are your services safe for pets, children or the environment?
A: At Kyle's Pest Solution, the safety of you and your family including your pets are our number 1 concern. We follow state and federal laws and follow all label instructions. The pesticides we use are safe when used as directed and that is the only way we use them.
We ask that people and pets stay away from treated areas until it is dry or dissipated and follow all other instructions we give regarding the application.
Q: We just had our house serviced, is it normal to see more bugs than before?
A: Yes, it can be. Especially on an initial service. When we service a property for bugs we try to deliver the pesticide to the cracks, crevices and harborage areas where they live. That can cause them to be flushed out.
However, if it continues past 2 weeks please call us and let us know.
Q: Are scorpions dangerous?
A: Yes, but not as dangerous as you might think. The most venomous scorpion we have in the United States is the Bark Scorpion.
It can cause a lot of pain and other symptoms but rarely anything life threatening in adults.
However, you should be a bit more concerned for pets, young children, the elderly and people with sensitive immune systems.
They can have a more drastic effect from the sting of a bark scorpion.
Still, there hasn't been a reported death from the sting of a bark scorpion in decades, likely due to advancements in the medical industry and of course, the pest control industry.
Q: Can pesticides kill scorpions?
A: Yes. There are number of pesticides on the market that are labeled for scorpions. Some are better than others and how you use them will also be a big factor. Some people think that pesticides don't work on scorpions either because they used a pest control company in the past who wasn't adequate in their service. Or they did not communicate to the client well enough about the biology and behavior of scorpions.
Scorpions have very thick exoskeletons and very slender legs. This means it can take a little bit longer for the pesticide to take full effect.
This is why we use a couple of different pesticides and take extra steps in our scorpion control programs.
Q: How do bugs get in my house?
A: There are more entry ways for pests than you might think. They can enter under the thresholds of doors and garage doors. Gaps in sliding glass doors and windows. Through expansion joints in the slab. Holes in the siding of a house.
On houses that are wood framed, there is typically a gap where the siding meets the stem wall of the foundation. This is present almost entirely around the perimeter of the house.
These are areas that we seal when we perform our Home Seal Service.
Q: Do I need to have my house sprayed in the winter?
A: It depends on what the target pest is but for General Pest Control It is recommended to continue treatment in the colder months. We have very mild winters here and most bugs don't die in the winter as they do in other regions. Though they may be less active.
Having the house service in the cooler months will mean less problems in the warmer months.
Q: How long does your pest control service last for?
A: For general pest control service for invasive pests residual pesticides break down in about a month here in the valley. Some areas on a property may experience faster breakdown if it is exposed to excessive sunlight or moisture.
We recommend monthly service routines to keep the property under control.
Q: I have heard that roaches come up from sink and shower drains. Is that true?
A: Roaches can come up through your drains. Especially American Roaches (Sewer Roaches). However, it is less likely that they are coming up from the drain and more likely from somewhere else but happen to end up there for water. In order for them to come up from the drain in a normal home with city water services. They would have to travel from the sanitary sewer, through the pipes all the way to the drain without being flushed back down. Again it's possible, but if the water is being used frequently in the house, less likely.
Q: What service do you provide for roaches?
A: As with all services we will need to I.D. the pest. American, Oriental or other invasive roach species will fall under our general pest control service. Infesting roaches such as German Roaches or Brown Banded Roaches would call for a different treatment method. See the "Our Services" page for more information.
TERMITES
Q: Are termites common in the Phoenix area?
A: Yes. Extremely! We mainly deal with subterranean termites in the valley but there's a saying about phoenix.
"It's not IF you have termites, it's WHEN"
Q: I had a termite inspection done when i bought my house so i shouldn't have termites right?
A: Even a trained, and knowledgeable inspector can only see what is visible. We can find things others can't but we certainly can't see through walls, so even with an inspection done there could still possibly be termites present on the interior of the home.
Subterranean termites can also build their shelter tubes very quickly so it is possible for evidence to show up after the inspection.
This is why having a warranty is so important. Even if your house has been treated there are areas that can't be treated if you have flooring down and drywall up.
Q: I have a block house. Can I still get termites
A: Yes! Even though your walls are block or brick there are still wooden joists in the attic and sheet rock on the interior which termites occasionally feed on.
BED BUGS
Q: What are some signs that I may have Bed Bugs?
A: Signs of Bed Bug infestations include seeing bites on you or other members of the family, finding blood spots on the sheets or bedding, finding black markings along the mattress, box spring, frame legs or other furniture, and of course seeing the bugs themselves.
Bed Bugs typically will be found massed on the seams and any holes in mattresses or box springs.
It's also important to know that not all people react to the bite of bed bugs. So just because one person is getting bit and another sleeping in the same bed isn't, it doesn't rule out the possibility of bed bugs.
Q: How do people get bed bugs?
A: There are numerous different ways to acquire bed bugs. If you live in an apartment, there is a very good chance you will get them if any adjacent units get them.
They can be transferred from children at school, or at their friend's homes.
You could potentially get them from anyone's home if they have them and you aren't aware. Other places common for housing them are places like movie theaters, where the lights are always off or dim and there is always people.
Most common though, is motel rooms when you travel.
Q: How to I prevent getting bed bugs?
A: When you travel and stay at a motel, be sure to check the mattress, box spring, head board, end tables and any other furniture in the room. Also be sure not to leave your luggage or other items on the floor or bed. Keep them on the luggage rack if they have one.
RODENTS
Q: How do I know if i have mice or rats?
A: Most often you'll get an idea that you have a rodent problem by seeing droppings, seeing bites out of food, seeing damage to wiring or other things cause by gnawing or seeing the rodents.
Q: I am seeing evidence of rodents. Is it mice or rats?
A: Besides seeing the animal, the best way to tell is by inspecting the droppings.
We are trained to identify the presence of target pests so the best thing to do is have us do an inspection.
Bees
Q: There is a clump of bees building a hive on a branch on my tree. What do I do?
A: The clump of bees you are seeing is a swarm that is resting. The best thing to do is leave them be.
9 times out of 10 the swarm will move on within a few days. If they aren't in an area where there is a void accessible they will not build a hive
Q: Why am I seeing bees coming in and out of a hole on my property.
A: This is an active hive. Don't mess with the bees.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH IT YOURSELF UNLESS YOU ARE TRAINED TO DO SO!
Once honey bees find a suitable void to protect the queen and the brood they will build the hive. We are trained to deal with bees and have bee suits to protect us while we work. Just let us handle it.
Q: I've heard that bees are good for the environment and that we shouldn't kill them because their populations are declining. is that true?
A: Both are absolutely true. A lot of research is going into understanding why the bee populations are declining and some progress is being made but the populations are still declining. No one is 100% sure why as of yet. A lot of people are blaming pesticides but you should understand that the pesticides they are talking about are about a specific group of pesticides and likely the source of application is agriculture.
As pest control professionals we have an obligation to people and to the environment to be held to a higher standard of responsibility. At Kyle's Pest Solution, we take this very seriously. So we take every step we can to insure that foraging bees are not harmed by our application methods. There are laws in place that require pest control technicians to take certain precautions but that doesn't mean they do. We do everything we can to not harm non-target animals. Even referring work out to bee keepers we work with who will capture the hive and relocate it.
In the case of a hive on the interior of a structure or object? Unfortunately this is not possible and for the safety of people and pets the hive must be destroyed.
Weeds
Q: How long will it take for my weeds to die once you spray them?
A: We use systemic herbicides that kill the weed down to the root. So the amount of time it takes depends on the weather conditions. In the winter when it is cold, it can take up to 2 weeks. This is due to the slowing of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the absorption of nutrients from carbon dioxide and water which is synthesized by sunlight. When it is cold, the plant does not need as much nourishment as quickly. Which means the herbicide isn't being taken to the roots as quickly. The herbicide's mode of action is in the root system.
In the warmer months however, results can be seen in just a few days, as photosynthesis is speed up in order for the plant to survive.
(Note: Most grasses and some weeds are perennials. That means they live for multiple seasons. There are cool season weeds and grasses and warm season weeds and grasses. Bermuda Grass for example, is a warm season perennial. Treating Bermuda Grass in the winter when it is dormant (yellow) will do no good as photosynthesis has stopped. Same goes for all other weeds and grasses. They need to be actively growing for good results.)
Q: Is there a difference in treatment between weeds and grass?
A: The application of a post emergent herbicide is the same. Except for the fact that many grasses have complex root systems which will take multiple treatments to achieve the goal.
Q: Before you treat our weeds, should we cut them down?
A: The ideal height to treat with a post emergent is about 6 inches, but as long as they aren't above 12 to 18 inches we can perform the service. You will be left with taller dead weeds when they do die though. If you choose or need to cut them down prior to service cut them to 4 to 6 inches tall, and once the leaves start growing back we can treat them. The leaves are what absorb water to take to the roots so there needs to be leaves for the herbicide to work properly.
Q: How does the pre-emergent work?
A: Pre-emergent herbicides are applied to the soil, once there is rain fall it pushes the product below the top level where seeds are lying. The pre-emergents we use are root growth inhibitors so once the seed germinates and begins to take root it dies.
Q: What if it rains after we have the pre-emergent applied?
A: That is absolutely perfect. We need the rain fall to push the herbicide into the soil where the seeds are in order to get good results.
Q: What time of year should I have pre-emergent treatment done?
A: The best time is to have it done between August/September to March/April depending on when the seasons change. For the best results we would do a treatment at the beginning of the season for cool season weeds (August/September) and again in February/March/April for warm season weeds. You can do one treatment in the middle of the season but you are most likely going to end up dealing with weeds prior to service and dead weeds afterwards. For a clean, maintained yard twice a year is best.
Q: How long does the pre-emergent last
A: Our pre-emergent service comes with a 6 month warranty for weeds. There may be some weeds that escape the pre-emergent and sprout but we will treat those no charge within the warranty period.
Q: Does the pre-emergent work on grass?
A: Yes and No. It will keep certain grass seed from taking root. However, many grasses grow in three ways. From seed, rhizomes and stolons. Rhizomes are root systems under ground that continuously sprout new plants. Stolons are stems that creep along the ground and take root from the top of the soil. Pre-emergents work on seeds. Not actively growing plants or grass in this case.
Q: What about weeds that grow in my lawn?
A: We do not offer services for lawn weeds at this time. The best way to prevent weeds in your lawn though is to maintain a healthy growing lawn.