FAQ’s

There are numerous ways that pests can enter a home. Ants, roaches, and even mice can enter through impossibly tiny cracks and crevices as they search for food and shelter. To lessen the chances of pests intruding into your home, be sure to keep any branches, shrubs, piles of firewood, decorative rocks, and any other aspect of landscaping well-maintained.

For example, if you’ve got a pile of firewood adjacent to your home, be sure to roll around the logs every so often to decrease the chance of pests beginning to form nests in the area, or have them raised off the ground. Properly stacking any piles of firewood would also be beneficial and optimal.

Spiders, ants, and other pests have been known to use trees, shrubs, and parts of gardens as ladders into homes through windows, cracks in brick siding, etc. Before applying any treatment, Upstate Pest Pros inspects and pinpoints potential problem areas that may need to be tended to, but it is your job to make sure that these areas get the alteration that they need between visits.

There are several temporary solutions that may work for a short period of time, but in our experience, continued pest management is achieved through going above and beyond normal practices.

Amateur applications of over-the-counter, basic pest control products are nearly always ineffective, and take multiple time-consuming attempts. Like any chemical, pesticides need to be used with caution. Our certified technicians will ensure that the job is done right, and in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Upstate Pest Pros first priority is the safety and happiness of our customers, as well as being as environmentally friendly as possible.  All of our materials are EPA approved and biodegradable and all technicians have been thoroughly trained on industry safety regulations and guidelines. The products we use are the same products that are used on sensitive areas, such as schools and hospitals. We take pride in providing pet-friendly and kid-friendly pest solutions to our clients in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson areas of South Carolina.

At Upstate Pest Pros, we have very high standards for our employees. Each of our employees has gone through an in-depth and thorough interview process. We have found that hiring the right professionals, based upon character, takes time, patience, and effort. Along with extensive vetting of potential employees, we also require background checks and industry certifications.

All technicians go through on-the-job training with our General Manager and Lead Technician for the first 30 days. We send them through a registered technician school offered by the state of South Carolina.

Our staff is constantly learning and increasing their professional standards, resulting in a solid and uplifting team dynamic. Once hired, our employees are required to go through regular training and testing as an ongoing process throughout their employment.

Our goal is to ensure that we are always communicating with our customers as effectively as possible to achieve a delightful experience  and transparent service, They will give the required time to understand the specific needs of each individual customer.

Each of our customers will receive a courtesy message the working day before each regular service. Lastly, we put specific service notes on each customer’s account, enabling us to perform the service according to the customer’s specific requests and needs.

We are constantly learning about innovative products and methods that can make our services even better.

Your technician will happily advise you if you, your family, or your pet need to leave the home prior to our arrival. Oftentimes, treated surfaces need time to dry. This can be a problem if you’ve got a 2-year-old touching everything in sight and putting anything possible into their mouths.

By advising your technicians of any sensitive people, pets, fish ponds, or even organic gardens that require extra care and attention, you’re avoiding potential issues after your home is serviced.

Our well-versed and experienced team is likely in your area more often than you would think. Stressing the importance of transparent dynamics between customers and employees, we are easily reached and would de delighted to provide you with a date and time for our initial inspection and evaluation.

Our customers often mention how much they appreciate our hassle-free scheduling and emergency, same-day service when needed. We are only a quick phone call or message from your account away.

YES! A preventative plan is the only plan that works for bugs.  They are going to return one way or another. It will be up to you to decide whether you want your home protected when they do come.  If there is no pesticide prevention plan, what is stopping them from getting inside your home?

Professional pest management is the #1 way to guard against numerous pests native to Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson, SC and surrounding areas. Also, please be sure to ask us any questions related to maintaining a pest-free home for years to come. We love answering questions!

It’s important to have a clutter-free and clean home. Be sure to check any areas that could be used as a hideout for ants, mosquitos, cockroaches, spiders, wasps and bees, and mice and rats.

Your home’s countertops should be free of dishes, food, and any appliances where pests can hide. Cover any open food and store it in a safe place. If you have children, ensure their crib/mattress and toys are protected and stored in a safe place as well. Please keep in mind, children tend to put objects in their mouths, often without the parent(s) knowing.

Mopping and scrubbing any tile or hardwood surfaces never hurts, and can help rid of any pest eggs. Same goes for vacuuming; get rid of any pest eggs before your home is serviced to avoid unexpected and additional services or call backs.

Something that’s often not thought of: cleaning under and around any movable appliances, such as microwaves, freezers, refrigerators, storage units, etc. Appliances such as those are known to be a comfortable vacation area for pests. Another tip is to be sure to empty and clean around your indoor garbage can regularly and before service so it doesn’t become a pest hideout.

If you have found proof of intruding pests such as feces, damaged property, or exoskeletons, be sure to fill in your pest exterminator to ensure the area(s) is appropriately inspected and evaluated. Be on the lookout for any water leaks or moist areas of your home, as pests are known to flock to those areas relentlessly.

Because scenarios differ, there may be additional ways to prepare your home for pest control services. That is why it’s important to communicate as effectively as possible with us during our first visit and as things change over time.

The strongest products on the market last 60-90 days. After that, they biodegrade and become a part of the natural environment; otherwise, they wouldn’t be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The weather also affects the efficacy of our treatments – but not as much as you’d think. Next time it rains, look at the base of your home; chances are, it’s still dry.  This means the barrier spray is still going strong.

However at times, the products do wear off before we come out next, so this is where our FREE call back service comes in handy.

Usually, it’s safe to clean your home after pest control treatment about 3-5 days after the treatment took place. If part of your treatment included leaving bait around your home, you should be able to clean around them as long as you stay away from the bait.

It’s always a good idea to clean before the exterminator arrives, this way you won’t have to wait too long between cleaning your home.

A lot of customers assume that pest products will be washed away during the rain. So, it’s common for pest control companies to receive calls requesting to reschedule their services due to weather conditions.

Surprisingly, pest control treatments are rarely affected by rain or snow. Rain and light snow can actually optimize pest control services, as pests are typically drawn out of the ground.

Rain and light snow have been shown to benefit pest control services. This is because some products (formulated granular pellets) are placed on a property are activated by water. These pellets seep deeply into your soil, preventing crickets, earwigs, ants, and other unwelcome pests from entering your home. If you live in an area that regularly experiences abnormally harsh weather conditions, be sure to explain those conditions to your pest control professional.

When dealing with indoor pest control services, keep in mind that window areas, door frames, and crevasses are typically key points of focus. Wet weather conditions are rarely pest control concerns.

YES! Pest control is crucial during the winter, especially in Greenville, SC and the Upstate of South Carolina. Believe it or not, winter pests are surprisingly worse than summer pests. Although most flying insects are gone, this doesn’t mean that the threat of all pests is gone.

The warmth of your home is particularly inviting to rodents and insects during the winter. This means they do whatever it takes to get inside. That is why it is important to do pest control during the winter. Not only can they be annoying, but also harmful to your health.

Rodents can carry diseases, such as Salmonella and Hantavirus, spider bites can result in side effects, and roaches can prompt asthma and other allergy responses in the human body.

Social insects, termites are small, white pests that feed off wood. Typically they live in the ground and serve an important role in the ecosystem. They influence the distribution of natural resources to landscapes as well as diversify soil microbes, plants, and animals.

However, when they reach your home action is required to protect your investment.

Termites may be small, however, according to the National Pest Control Association they generate as much as $5 billion dollars of property damage annually. Though they serve a purpose in nature, they can cause serious consequences when they go unnoticed in a home.

They constantly feed to provide enough for the entire colony.

The first warning sign is the most obvious: if you see any termites, dead or alive, you likely have an infestation.

After termites swarm, they leave their wings behind. These swarms are attracted to light, so you may find wings near windows, vents, or light fixtures.

Another warning sign is mud tubes. These “straw-like” tubes of mud are used for travel. Termites need to keep moist as they search for food. These mud tubes can be found by cracks, beneath flooring, siding, and plumbing or any number other exposed surfaces.

You can also check for termites by tapping on wood surfaces or items in your home. Hollow sounds can indicate damaged wood and may even flush out some termites. Dark areas and blistering wood flooring are two telltale signs of an infestation.

The best way to prevent termites is to do preventive maintenance..

Clear up any cracks or openings that pest may sneak into. Pests look for moist areas, so be sure to check your home for areas with moisture accumulation both around the foundation, inside the crawlspace (if present), and inside your home.

Make sure all water is properly diverted away from your home. Remove any vegetation growing around vents and that is found to be in contact with your home. Additionally, keep any yard refuse like branches, tree stumps, leaves, mulch, and other things that may contain soil or wood away from the house. It is best to keep your property clean to avoid any unwanted encounters. Be vigilant; routine inspections can help keep your property protected.

These are all steps YOU can take. From a professional point of view, termite treatments, whether liquid treatment or base stations – with an annual bond and inspection is the absolute best way to prevent termites in your home.

Depending on the size of your infestation, there are several treatment options. A pest control expert may recommend one or a combination of the following treatments to rid your home of termites:

• Liquid Termiticide:  A liquid-barrier treatment that can kill and deter termites.
• Termite Bait Stations: A “bait” that termite workers take home to the colony and to kill it at the source gradually. 

Unfortunately, no.

You have to keep vigilant and inspect your home routinely. Treatments can get rid of your current infestation, but that may not keep them away if you do not take the steps to fortify your home.

Additionally, it is a good idea to have regular inspections and purchase a termite bond to protect your from future problems. 

No. They are two different problems and how you deal with each of them is completely different. Water problems typically are caused by water seeping in from around the foundation walls in the crawlspace. A water problem requires a drainage system along the inside perimeter of the crawlspace and likely a proper sump pump to be installed.

Moisture problems can be caused by water seepage, but they can also be caused by plumbing leaks, condensation from your HVAC and ductwork under your home, foundation vents letting humid air under your home, or wet insulation under the subfloor.

There are many different things that can cause moisture issues in your crawlspace. However, don’t let anyone tell you the only option is a crawlspace encapsulation!

Most homeowners don’t go in their crawlspace and some have never been. It’s the dark, dirty, ugly part of your home that no one wants to talk about.

However, the crawlspace is the foundation of your home. It’s more important than the pretty parts of your home. Half of the air you breathe comes from your crawlspace. If you have water, moisture, humidity, mold, wood rot, or settling in your crawlspace, it affects your whole home.

Pests and rodents also love to live in that type of environment. They thrive in it. For your home to be safe, clean, and healthy; the crawlspace needs to stay dry and mold-free.

Keeping humidity in check will ultimately affect the wood moisture content of the foundation structure.

For example, keeping the wood moisture content in a healthy range is what you should focus on. The wood moisture content of the structural wood under your home should remain below 20% in an ideal world. Like in nature, wood moisture goes up and down, however, you want to avoid the extremes.

When wood moisture gets too high, it is prone to mold/fungal growth or even worse wood rot – and it attracts pests. When wood moisture gets too low it can develop dry rot. Monitoring your wood moisture will give you the best indicator of actual conditions in the crawl space and is best accomplished through annual inspections by your pest control professional with the experience and tools to make a proper assessment.

The source of odors in your home is often hard to identify. Musty smells inside the home can be caused by moisture in the crawl space or may be unrelated.

Most people notice these odors when their home has been closed up for an extended period of time, like returning from vacation or after periods of heavy rainfall. Sometimes these odors are simply a seasonal or passing issue and may simply go away.

Other times, they may be related to a crawl space issue and can be solved by controlling moisture and other factors in the crawl space.

Yes! You need a vapor barrier in your crawl space.

A vapor (moisture) barrier is the minimum amount of protection that you should have in your crawl space as it may help you to avoid expensive repairs. The barrier is a plastic liner that covers the dirt in your crawl space. More importantly, it blocks vapors and moisture in the soil from entering your crawl space and has other benefits.

First, the air in your crawl space enters your home. Your home is made of porous materials, such as wood, drywall, insulation, etc. Also, In fact if part of your HVAC is located in the crawlspace – your HVAC unit circulates air from the crawl space into your home.

You cannot maintain a healthy home when excessive moisture is present in your crawl space. Damp air encourages fungal growth. It also forces your HVAC unit to work harder. Moisture can cause decay to the structural elements of your home.

Once the wood in your home starts to deteriorate, it attracts pests. In fact, moist wood is a haven for termites. A vapor barrier is not a one-and-done installation. The average moisture barrier only lasts 5 to 10 years. Eventually, a vapor barrier starts to break down and deteriorate.

If your vapor barrier is failing, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in air quality after installing a new one. The air will fill less humid. Some musty orders may also subside. 

There are a few telltale trouble signs that could mean you have a crawl space moisture problem that requires professional attention.

Standing water renders a vapor barrier completely ineffective. If there’s pooling in your basement or crawl space, you’ll need further measures to resolve the moisture intrusion at its source.