Q » I use household insect repellent products and insecticides, then why pest control?
A » Thehousehold insecticides available in the market are short term solutions which only kill the pests you see but spare those which are hidden. Professional pest control involves identification of the type of the pest, its harbourages, elimination at its source - delivering long lasting solutions.
Q » Will pest control be a messy affair? Do I have to move all household stuff during pest control? Is it safe for children? Do I have to be away from the house for 1-2 days after pest control?
A » Not really, the advanced technology used by reputed companies enables non-messy, non smelly cockroach treatment. In-fact the family can continue with its routine activities such as cooking, eating or watching TV during this treatment. It is not necessary to empty out the kitchen. They just apply gel spots where pests are likely to be active or hidden. It is relatively safe for kids, the aged and also pets. The chemical used for termite control is odorless but drilling into walls and floor has to be carried out. Those who are allergic to noise and dust are advised to stay away during the treatment.
Q »Will pest control harm my pets?
A »It depends upon the kind of pest control treatment being given. All pesticides are harmful. But chemicals used at home by reputed pest controllers are tested and proven for home use. These are chemicals developed for in-home application as against agricultural pesticides designed for field application which are more toxic. Secondly, targeted delivery at the right place and the correct dose makes all the difference. Reputed pest controllers take precaution to ensure the safety of humans and domestic pets.
Q » My local pest control agency promises herbal treatment using boric powder. Is it safe and effective?
A » Use of boric powder mixed with flour for cockroaches is certainly not herbal even if it is called so. By and large it is found to be less effective too.
Q » Will the pest control treatment harm my furniture?
A »No. Professional Pest Control operators use specially developed pesticides which do not stain or damage furniture.
Q »I always keep my house clean, still cockroaches keep coming back.
A » While clean and hygienic conditions do prevent rapid growth of cockroaches in the house, cockroaches may still enter through drainpipes or hitch hike into your house along with groceries, crates, gas cylinders etc.
Q » When I shifted into my new flat, there were no cockroaches. But somewhere in between some cockroaches appeared and now the number has so increased that it's beyond our control. What do we do?
A »A new house may be free from cockroaches however when you shift your household goods, they move in along with them. They hide in cracks or crevices and start multiplying rapidly over a period of time. Cockroaches also enter your home through drainpipes or may hitch hike along with the groceries, crates, gas cylinders etc. The effective solution is to call a professional pest control company to get rid of these pests.
Q » Can cockroaches cause harm to my children?
A » Yes. Pests like cockroaches are known to carry disease causing germs such as diarrhoea, dysentery, food poising etc. As they move from place to place they contaminate food and surroundings. Cockroach allergens - their skin, dead cockroaches and droppings are known to trigger asthma attacks in children.
Q » I have a small child and want to know the safest way to remove all cockroaches?
A » Progressive companies have introduced revolutionary gel-bait technology. This technology eliminates spraying of chemicals, hence avoiding direct exposure of chemicals to residents. Gel-bait is a mix of food attractant plus toxicant added at low dosage. The treatment is carried out by placing tiny gel spots in cockroach hideouts. Cockroaches get attracted to the gel and feed on it. They pass on the gel to other cockroaches when they touch each other. The gel is designed to kill slowly so that they pass on the poison to as many cockroaches as possible. This ensures that cockroaches that are hidden in their nests also get killed giving you total relief.
Q »
I got gel treatment from a reputed company. But small cockroaches start appearing after 15 days. I don't understand why. Can you explain?
A » Cockroach eggs contains upto 40 young ones. On hatching these young ones start feeding on the gel and subsequently die. Cockroaches also come in along with grocery bags, gas cylinder, drainage pipes, etc. However, you can rest assured that they will get attracted to the gel and die. In case you see a few cockroaches you should not use any other chemical spray or aerosol as it will render the gel ineffective.
Q » After the pest control is done, how to keep cockroach infestation at minimum?
A »
It depends on the technology used. If you have taken the advanced gel technology service, please follow the steps given below to get maximum benefit:
Q » I see mud tubes in my bed room and when we scrape we see white ants running out. Please tell me more about it.
A » These white ants are termites. They originate from the ground and move in mud tubes. They feed on wood, paper or anything containing cellulose. They attack your furniture, doors, fixtures, documents, clothes and even currency notes. When you see a mud tube it means millions of termites are working 24 hrs a day damaging your property.
Q » I would like to know if teakwood is safe from termites, if not, how to protect it from termites?
A » This is a tall claim for protection against termites unless chemicals have been impregnated into the wood before processing. The termites move from the ground to feed on wood and paper. A well seasoned timber from mature teak tree has been known to be safe from termite attacks. The natural oil present in the wood repels termites...
Q » My neighbour has termites and is going to have his house treated. Are the termites going to attack my house next? How safe is my house?
A » If your neighbor has got the anti-termite treatment done, the termites will start moving towards new untreated zones, which could be your house. Termites live in the soil and invade buildings in search of their favorite food i.e. wood and paper (anything containing cellulose). They are known to be hidden invaders and destroy property worth millions. The only way to prevent this is to take pest control service from a reputed company.
Q » I stay on the 20th floor, can I still get termites or rats in my house?
A » Though the termites live in the soil, they are known to infest even high rise buildings having more than 100 storeys, moving all the way from ground to the top floor. Rats are also known to be excellent climbers and use drain pipes, electric cables, lift shafts etc. to reach the top floors.
Q » Can I do the termite treatment myself?
A » No. A treatment against termites involves specialized skills and techniques. Do it yourself sprays can only remove the symptoms and not eliminate the actual problem. Therefore it is not recommended that homeowners carry out the treatment themselves. It is best handled by a professional pest controller.
Q » Construction of my house is underway in Ahmedabad. I want to know about anti-termite pre-treatment. I heard about Term-guard where pipelines are laid at the plinth level. I want to know more about this also.
A » Anti-termite treatment done before the house is constructed is called pre-construction anti-termite treatment. Due to the lack of awareness new home owners do not check if the home they purchase has been treated against termites by a reliable Pest Control Company. As a result people who spend large sums not just on new homes, but also on interiors and wooden fixtures end up losing heavily due to the damage caused by termites.
The term-guard reticulation system is installed during construction and is designed to deliver pesticide at all critical points of the building. This system provides efficient & effective delivery of chemicals any number of times. The system can be designed and laid for an individual home, large housing or commercial complex.
Q » I am the secretary of my housing society. My building is only 3 years old but has been attacked by termites. The pest controller has given a warranty for 10 year protection. What can I do about this?
A » The problem you are facing is unfortunately being faced by most housing societies. For environmental reasons chemicals with long duration protection have been banned world-wide. The new generation chemicals have a life of only three to five years. Pest control operators offering a 10 year warranty are risking their reputation. You have no other option but to go in for post construction anti-termite treatment.
Q » What is to be done regarding the white powder coming out of cupboard ?
A » This is a typical sign of wood borer infestation. These are tiny cylindrical brownish or black insects. They are also known as powder post beetles because they convert wood into fine powder. They feed extensively and live for many months. These insects make a pin head size hole on the wooden surface causing white powder residues. This is the first sign of infestation.
Only professional pest controller can provide the solution.
Q » I find ants in my home especially in the kitchen. I have used a spray that I buy at the grocery store, but it is only good for about a week. The ants keep coming back. What can I do to keep them out of my home?
A » Unlike cockroaches, ants are social insects living in groups. The queen lives in a nest inside the holes and cracks of the walls/floor. Spraying can only kill worker ants while the queen in the nest remains unaffected. So the root cause of problem remains unattended. It needs thorough inspection by a pest control professional.
Q » look scary. I have heard rats spread disease. Please tell me more.
A » Rats are responsible for the spread of large number of diseases such as rat-bite fever, leptospirosis, plague, food poisoning etc. These diseases are spread by rat droppings, urine, and hair and rat fleas. Food contamination through rat urine and droppings is the biggest health hazard. Rats are responsible for property damage, fire hazard and disrupting communication networks by biting cables & wires.
Q » What are bed bugs?
A » Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They are cosmopolitan pests infesting both the rich and the poor. Hygiene or the lack of it is immaterial. They are hitch hikers spreading through clothing, baggage etc. They co-exist with humans hiding in cracks, crevices, mattresses or chairs in public places.
Q » Where do bed bugs occur?
A » Bed bugs practically occur worldwide. They are most abundant in rooms where people sleep, and they generally hide near the bed or near other furniture used for sleeping. Their flattened bodies allow them to conceal themselves in cracks and crevices around the room and within furniture. Preferred hiding sites include bed frame, mattresses etc. Clutter around the room offers additional sites for these bugs to hide, making it difficult to eliminate them.
Q » How do bed bugs enter homes?
A » Bed bugs may sneak into your house along with luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows and other such objects. You might unwittingly transport bed bugs to your home when you visit public places like movie halls, hotels etc.
