Pest Control 101

[fa icon="plus-square"] Why should I hire a professional pest prevention firm?

Every pest is different, which requires the correct knowledge and skills to deal with them in your home or business. A pest prevention company like Cypress Creek can tailor treatments to your individual issue and use equipment to get the job done right.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What is the pricing for Houston pest control services?

Pricing depends on several factors like the type of pest, frequency of treatment (Healthy House Program), the severity of the issue, and square footage of your home. For more information, you can request a quote here.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What should I look for in a pest control company?

A quality pest control company will ensure your service meets your specific problem. They’ll also treat your whole home - not just where you find insects.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Are your treatment methods safe for my family and pets?

Our technicians exhaust all efforts to keep treatment methods safe for our customers. The products used are EPA approved, and we will share any protocols as listed on the products' labels for additional safety precautions. For more information, you can reach out to us.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the benefits of quarterly pest maintenance versus a one-time service?

Every season during the year is associated with certain bugs. Treating your home quarterly can prevent the pests from each season from invading your house.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How long do regular pest treatments take?

How long a certain treatment takes will vary based on different factors, like the insect itself, the level of infestation, the size of your home, and more. You can get more information here.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What actions do I need to take prior to a regular pest maintenance visit?

Before we come to treat your home or business, we’ll send you some guidance on what to do beforehand. To-do items may vary based on your specific pest problem. Standard preparation may include washing linens and clothing in hot water, discarding of infested items, and cleaning your home.

[fa icon="plus-square"] I noticed more bugs than usual after my first treatment. Why is that?

Treating your home for various pest issues may actually drive them out of hiding. However, this usually only lasts a day or two because they’ll soon become exposed to the extermination treatment.

Ants

[fa icon="plus-square"] How do ants enter a home?

Ants can get into your home through cracks in your doors, windows, and foundation.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What do you do to treat for ants?

Sealing any cracks, storing food properly, and maintaining a clean home and yard can help reduce your risk of ants.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the most common species of ants in our region?

The Houston area is home to several different species of ant. However, there are nine common ones we’ve consistently treated homes for.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Do ants bite or sting?

Depending on the type, some ants will bite and sting. Specific species of ant, like the fire ant, do both. The best way to determine if an ant will bite or sting you is seeing if they have a stinger on their abdomen.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the warning signs of an ant infestation?

Seeing stray ants in and around your home - particularly the kitchen - is one of the first warning signs of a larger problem. You should also look for any nests or mounds in your yard.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How can you prevent future ant invasions?

Ants are attracted to food, water, and sticky substances, so anything you can do to prevent access to them will help.

[fa icon="plus-square"] I'm pretty handy around the house. There are plenty of over-the-counter products available to eradicate ants. Can't I control an ant problem by myself?

Seeing a few stray ants in your home is usually indicative of a bigger infestation -- one you cannot control by yourself. The best solution, if you have an ant problem, is to contact a professional, because they can treat for your specific ant species and prevent them from returning.

Bed Bugs

[fa icon="plus-square"] How do bed bugs enter my home?

Bed bugs can enter your home in multiple ways. They’re known for their traveling skills and can hitch onto your clothing and luggage, moving from hotels, work, school, and other locations into your house.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Do bed bugs get on clothing?

Yes, bed bugs can cling to clothing - especially if you purchase clothing from a shop with an infestation problem.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How can I identify bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects with long, oval-shaped bodies.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the warning signs of bed bug infestation?

You may have a bed bug infestation if you notice these warning signs: itchy welts on your skin, little brown dots near on your mattress seam, and droppings.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the types of bed bug treatment?

Treating bed bugs requires two steps. The first is to prep your house before a professional can enter. The second is your exterminator’s course of treatment.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What is Cypress Creek’s approach to bed bug treatment?

We use a specialized thermo-chemical treatment at Cypress Creek.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Do I have to prepare my home before a visit?

Yes. Before a professional can treat your home, you must discard of anything that infested, clean your clothing and linens in extreme heat, and store all cleaned items away from the infested room.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What precautions can I take to ensure I don’t bring bed bugs into your home?

Bed bugs hate extreme heat, so your best course of action to prevent them is to expose your luggage and any other carriers to it.

Mosquitoes

[fa icon="plus-square"] Why does my yard have so many mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes love moisture, so if you have excess water anywhere in your yard, they’ll be attracted to it. They’re also attracted to heat, nectar, and sweat, so if you tend to have a lot of backyard outings, you may have more mosquitoes.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How can I prevent mosquitoes in my Houston yard?

Eliminate any excess moisture like standing water, overwatered gardens, and full gutters or drains. You should also clean your pool, use outdoor fans, and light repellent candles.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Are mosquitoes a real health threat?

Mosquitoes are known to be carriers of disease, and there is some risk of mosquito-borne illness in the U.S. You can read more here.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What do you use to treat for mosquitoes?

For a residential area, we treat mosquitoes by fogging and installing misting systems. We can perform similar treatments for communities and commercial buildings.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How often should a property be treated for mosquitoes?

This depends on the severity of your problem. However, our residential fogging treatment involves sending a technician to treat your home every 21 days.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What can homeowners do to reduce the risks from mosquitoes?

Ensuring your yard does not have excess moisture or sticky substances are ways to reduce your risk of mosquitoes. You should also wear insect repellent every time you go outside and try to wear long-sleeved clothing.

Cockroaches

[fa icon="plus-square"] How do I know if I have a cockroach infestation?

The common indications of a cockroach infestation include droppings around your fridge or stove, a musty odor, and stray cockroaches coming from your kitchen.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Where should I look for cockroaches?

Cockroaches prefer dark, moist areas, so look for them at night or in areas with little access to light. They can be commonly found near your stove, fridge, under floor mats, inside drains, and inside appliance motors.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How did I get cockroaches in my home?

Cockroaches enter homes through small cracks, loose roof tiles, and pipes in search of food.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches don’t sting or bite, but they do live in areas that are full of harmful bacteria. These bacteria can spread to humans in certain situations.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Is it possible to get rid of cockroaches and keep them from coming back?

Getting rid of cockroaches is extremely difficult as they can survive a month without food. To rid yourself of them, contact a professional who can perform a series of treatments. Then, cockroaches can be prevented through maintaining a clean home.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the treatments for cockroaches?

One way to deal with cockroaches is to bait them with poisoned food in areas where they’re commonly found. However, because cockroaches are resilient and prolific, the best treatment is hiring a professional cockroach exterminator.

Rodents

[fa icon="plus-square"] How do I get rid of mice?

To get rid of mice, you should eliminate any entry points to your home. You should also use mouse traps and bait stations. However, if you have a persistent problem, you should seek professional pest control.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Can I get ill from being in contact with a mouse?

Yes. Rodents are known to carry several human pathogens and can spread disease through direct and in-direct contact (i.e., contaminating your food and water).

[fa icon="plus-square"] How small of a hole can a mouse squeeze through?

Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime and will do so to get to food.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Should I get professional rat removal?

Rat infestations can cause severe damage to your home. You also may have more living in your home than you may realize, making them difficult to deal with. Your best chance of eliminating your problem is to seek professional pest control.

[fa icon="plus-square"] When is the best time to get rid of rats?

Rats are nocturnal, so the best time to remove them is when the sun goes down. During this time, they’re just waking up and searching for food. Therefore, your bait efforts will work better during sundown.

Termites

[fa icon="plus-square"] How do you tell ants apart from termites?

For starters, not all ants can fly, so not all have wings like termites. Flying termites have longer, unified bodies than flying ants.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the warning signs of a termite infestation?

There are several indicators you may have a termite issue. Some nclude crumbling drywall, small mud tubes throughout your home, and discarded insect wings.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are the different termite treatments?

The best treatment for your termite problem depends on the severity and type of termite infestation you have. After determining that, we’ll use the correct amount of advanced, non-repellent liquid termiticide.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How often should you have a termite inspection?

You should undergo a termite inspection at least once a year. For Houston-area homeowners, we recommend quarterly termite inspections.

[fa icon="plus-square"] How can I prevent future termite invasions?

Preventing future termite invasions begins with have regular inspections done by a professional. After that, you can take measures to make your home safer, like fixing leaky pipes, and proper ventilation.

Ticks

[fa icon="plus-square"] How can ticks affect my pets if not treated in time?

If an infected tick bites your pet, they are at risk for diseases like Hepatozoonosis, Cytauxzoonosis, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anemia, and more.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are some examples of other tick-transmitted problems?

You and your pets should be wary of ticks because they spread various diseases that can lead to nausea, fever, body aches, weight loss, itching, nerve pain, arthritis, and more.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What is the Lone Star Tick?

The Lone Star Tick is a species of tick indigenous to the Houston and surrounding areas. Their name derives from the white, star-shaped blotch on their backs.

Stinging insects

[fa icon="plus-square"] Why do I have ground bees in my yard?

Some species of bees prefer building colonies in the ground. If your soil is dry, you’re more likely to attract ground bees, because it’s an ideal environment for their nests.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Why are bumblebees hovering around my back porch?

Certain bees, like carpenter bees, can drill holes in wood and may do so in the wood of your back patio or porch.

[fa icon="plus-square"] I have huge wasps digging holes in my yard - what are they?

If you see a wasp digging a hole in your yard, it’s likely a yellow jacket. These aggressive wasps nest underground in colonies, so if you see indications of them, seek professional treatment.

[fa icon="plus-square"] I've been stung, now what?

While a single sting can hurt, it’s not threatening (unless you’re allergic). You can use at-home remedies like ice, crushed garlic, and baking soda mixed with water to treat your sting.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Do all bees sting?

Not all bees sting. Depending on the species, like bumblebees and honey bees, only female bees will sting. In general, they only sting when they feel threatened or aggravated.

[fa icon="plus-square"] I'm see wasps inside, how are they getting in?

Wasps can get inside your home through open doors and windows as well as vents and other unsealed openings.

Get the Answers to Your Pest Questions Here