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General Pest Questions | Bed Bug Questions | Stink Bug Questions

 

General Pest Questions

Are your products safe for children and pets?

Yes! Almost all of our products are completely safe for both the very young and the furry members of your family. In fact, we use many of them around our own pets! If we have concerns about a certain product, we'll speak with you beforehand, to make sure everyone is where they need to be to stay safe.

Are your products safe for the environment?

Yes! Our products are "green" -- made with ingredients that won't harm the environment. In fact, many of them are made from plant extracts and other natural sources.

Do I need to leave my home or office while you treat it?

Usually, no. Most of our services are completely safe for you to be around -- even eat or prepare food in the same room. A few of our products, however, we will have to ask you to step out to use. When scheduling those services with you, we'll be sure to inform you that you'll need to leave and for how long, so you can plan accordingly. We would never just show up and expect everyone to drop what they're doing and leave!

Why should I hire a professional pest control company? Why can't I just do it myself?

While DIY (Do It Yourself) projects have been very popular lately, and while we would never discourage people from handling their own pest control if they want to, sometimes it's just not advisable. Think about it this way: if you had a head cold, you may go to a pharmacy and purchase some over-the-counter cold medicine. That may be strong enough to take care of your cold. However, if your cold just won't go away, or even worsens, you may be forced to visit a doctor and get a prescription for stronger medication. Because we are licensed pest service providers, we have access to products that the general public can't obtain on their own. Not only that, but we also have the expertise and experience to use those products in the safest and most effective way possible. In the majority of cases, hiring a professional to care for your pest control needs is the best option.

 

bed bug questions

Can you get rid of my bed bugs completely?

Yes! As long as we have cooperation with the homeowner or resident, we can completely rid a dwelling of bed bugs.

Will I need to throw away my mattress or bed?

The vast majority of the time, throwing out infested mattresses, boxsprings, bedframes, or other items is completely unnecessary. Discarding any of these items just adds extra expense on your wallet. Please do not throw anything away without consulting with the pest control company treating your bed bugs! In the very rare event that we advise throwing any items away, we'll discuss with you beforehand the safest way to do so.

Do bed bugs carry disease?

Bed bugs are suspected of carrying many infectious diseases, but cannot transmit those diseases to their human host. An itchy bump, like you would receive from a mosquito or flea, is the worse you'll receive from contact with a bed bug!

Can you see bed bugs with the naked eye?

Yes, you can see the adults quite easily. Bed bugs are tiny, but they're not microscopic! An adult is about the same size and shape as an apple seed. The nymphs (juveniles) are also visible; even a first stage nymph (just hatched) is visible without a microscope if you're looking closely, especially when it moves. Only the eggs are usually too small to be visible to the naked eye.

 

stink bug questions

Do stink bugs really stink?

Yes, they do! The stink bug's stink is a defense mechanism, meant to make them unappetizing to predators such as birds and lizards. However, any time they feel alarmed or threatened, they can secrete a chemical from a gland in their abdomen. The secretion is similar to a chemical produced by the coriander, or cilantro, plant, and smells a lot like the herb. Some people find the odor offensive, some don't; some can't smell it at all! If it bothers you, don't worry! As long as the affected surface is cleaned in a fairly timely fashion with soap and water, the smell comes right out.

Will stink bugs cause any damage to my home or garden?

Unfortunately, while not dangerous to humans, stink bugs are quite destructive. In fact, Virginia is one of only six states having a stink bug population labelled as causing "severe agricultural and nuisance problems" by the USDA. This means big problems for farmers -- in 2010, stink bugs caused $37 million in damages to apple orchards in the Mid-Atlantic region. That's just one crop, and just one year! However, it's not just professional farmers whose crops are attractive to the insects. Stink bugs are known to feed on over 300 species of native fruit, vegetable, and other plants. They will insert their needle-like proboscis into the flesh of the fruit or vegetable. This causes discoloration on the surface, and dehydration and discoloration of the flesh. Although still safe to eat, affected crops are unappealing and have lost some of their flavor. If too many insects feed off of one item, the produce may be ruined entirely, even for use in other products (such as pies or jams).

Do stink bugs bite?

Only if you're an apple! Stink bugs have a proboscis, not a mouth with teeth, so cannot bite you even if they wanted to.

Should I just vacuum them up?

Using a vacuum cleaner is a popular way to dispose of individual stink bugs that might have gotten in the home, especially if they have invaded in large numbers. While using a vacuum certainly would work, the bag needs to be replaced or canister emptied fairly soon after the bugs have been dealt with. When finding themselves confined inside the vacuum, the insects tend to secrete their "stink"; vacuum up sufficient numbers, and the smell may start to permeate into the machine itself. We have heard of particularly aggressive vacuumers having to actually throw out their vacuum cleaner, as the smell became so bad it couldn't be cleaned out! There are better ways to dispose of the annoying insects. Some people have purchased a "bug vac", a device that uses suction to "vacuum" up the insects into a clear container so that you can dispose of them at your leisure. Others use a cup with some soapy water in it -- the soap bubbles trap the stink bugs so they can't climb out, then the entire thing can be dumped outside or flushed down the toilet. However, you can even catch them in your bare hand, as they do not bite, and as long as you don't squeeze them they won't "stink".