FAQ

Signs of a spider infestation include the presence of spider webs in multiple areas of your home, frequent sightings of spiders, and finding egg sacs or shed skins. However, it's important to note that the occasional spider sighting does not necessarily indicate an infestation.

While most spiders are harmless and play a beneficial role in controlling other pests, some species can be venomous. It's essential to identify the type of spider you're dealing with, especially if you suspect it may be venomous. Don’t hesitate to call our office for help.

To prevent spider infestations, keep your home clean and decluttered, as spiders are attracted to dark and undisturbed areas. Seal cracks and gaps in windows, doors, and foundations to minimize entry points. Regularly remove spider webs and use yellow bug lights outside, as they attract fewer of the insects that spiders feed on.

If you discover a spider nest or egg sac, it's best to give us a call, so we can handle it safely and effectively. Disturbing or attempting to remove the nest yourself may result in the spiders scattering and potentially increasing the infestation.

Yes, there are natural methods to deter spiders. These include keeping your home clean and free of clutter, using essential oils like peppermint or citrus to repel spiders, and placing spider traps or barriers made of natural materials.

Wasps and hornets belong to the same family, but hornets are larger and more aggressive than most wasp species. Hornets also have a distinct brownish coloration, compared to the yellow and black patterns of common wasps.

Are all wasps and hornets dangerous?

While most wasps and hornets are capable of stinging, not all species are aggressive towards humans. However, it's important to exercise caution around any stinging insect, as their stings can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Wasps and hornets in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston often build nests near human dwellings because they are attracted to easily accessible food sources. They may also seek shelter in small crevices or structures.

To deter wasps and hornets from nesting, eliminate potential food sources like uncovered trash cans or fallen fruits. Seal any openings or cracks in your home's exterior to prevent nesting sites. Our experienced techs can help with further suggestions based on any unique factors involved in your landscape.

If a wasp or hornet approaches you, remain calm and avoid making sudden movements. Do not swat at them, as it may provoke an attack. Slowly back away and create distance between yourself and the insect. If stung, clean the injured area with soap and water and monitor for any severe reactions.

The problems caused by mice and rats can range from contamination caused by their urine and feces to damage, the introduction of parasites like fleas and ticks onto your property, and compromised food items. Furthermore, they can cause damage to your home or business's wiring, pipes, insulation, or even the structural wood itself!

Rodents carry diseases, and they can spread them to humans through their feces, urine, saliva, and bites. What’s more, if they bring parasites inside, such as ticks or mites, the parasites can also spread illnesses to humans. Some of the diseases rodents are known to transmit include rat-bite fever, hantavirus, salmonellosis, tularemia, and more.

Mice are typically 2 ½ - 3 ½ inches long, with their tails adding an additional 2 ½ - 4 inches to their total length. Their appearance ranges from light brown to gray, with lighter-colored underbellies. They have pointed noses, small ears, and large, dark eyes.

Rats are larger than mice, ranging from 6-8 inches in length, with their long, hairless tails adding another 6-8 inches to their total body length. They have dark brown or black fur with grey speckles and lighter-colored underbellies. They also have pointed noses and large, dark eyes, while their ears are larger than what mice have.

Both of these rodents like to nest in attics, but that’s not the only place you’ll find them. Mice especially will nest in a variety of areas, but typically choose secluded spots that have access to nest-building materials and are close to a steady food source.

If you see any of these red flags, call our office:

• Chewed wires, furniture, or gnaw marks on wood surfaces.
• Small, pellet-like droppings in corners or along baseboards.
• Rodents leave behind a distinct, strong, and musky odor in their nesting areas.
• Shredded paper, fabric, or other materials used for bedding.
• Oily streaks along walls or floorboards from rodents' fur.
• Visible tracks in dusty or muddy areas of your home.
• Hearing scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds, especially at night.
• Rodents often create entry points in walls, floors, or exterior areas.
• Ripped bags or chewed-through containers.
   

Yes, they can be. Although most mosquitoes don’t do anything more than leave an itchy bite behind, some can cause illness, and it’s impossible to know which is which when they’re buzzing around your yard. Mosquitoes can spread several serious diseases, including West Nile virus, Zika virus, encephalitis, dengue, malaria, and yellow fever.

Factors that can attract mosquitoes to DFW properties include:

• Stagnant water: Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, so they tend to stay in areas where water is present.
• Food source: In addition to blood, mosquitoes also drink nectar from plants--if you have a lot of flowering plants in your yard, you're more likely to have mosquitoes.
• Density: If you have a lot of dense, overgrown foliage on your property or fail to mow your lawn regularly, you may unknowingly be making your property more attractive to mosquitoes.
• The lights: Outdoor lighting attracts mosquitoes. Switch out white outdoor lights for yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to mosquitoes and other insects.

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures and prefer temperatures over 80°F. That makes the summer months their most active time in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. However, they do remain active in temperatures over 50°F, which is why we provide our seasonal mosquito control from April through October. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we recommend investing in a professional mosquito control plan that provides ongoing protection for the entirety of Texas' mosquito season.

Termites can go undetected for long periods because the signs they leave behind are often subtle or hidden. However, if you know what to look for and where to look for it, you may be able to determine if termites are in your home. A good place to start is outside of your house. Look for sites where wood comes into direct contact with the soil, such as fence posts. Dig down into the dirt and look for grooves along the outside of the wood. If you see any, it’s a sign of termite activity.

Other signs of termites include small holes in wood, small piles of a sawdust-like material called frass near wooden structures, a hollow sound when you knock on wood, and mud tubes along the outside or inside of your foundation walls. Seeing a termite swarm or the discarded wings from a termite swarm is also a sure sign of a nearby termite colony.

Termites are active year-round, but they do enjoy warm temperatures and are most active when the temperature stays above 70 degrees. Unfortunately, there is never a time when termites are not active. Since they live underground, they will dig down deeper if it gets too cold. If they’re already in your house, they will remain active at all times due to the climate-controlled environment.

While not always the case, termites most often swarm in the spring. Swarms often happen on warm days after it rains. They can sometimes also occur in late winter on an unusually warm day.

Termite damage will vary from home to home based on several factors, but it’s important to realize that termites will begin destroying your house as soon as they get inside, and they won’t stop until you’ve taken action to get rid of them. Across the U.S., termites cause over $5 billion in structural damage every year. When you discover that a single termite colony can be home to over one million termites, it becomes easier to understand how much damage can occur in a relatively short amount of time.

Cockroaches are dangerous in many ways. Cockroaches live in filth, and when they enter residential spaces, they bring all the bacteria, parasites, and pathogens they’ve picked up inside with them. They are known to aggravate allergies and asthma, especially in young children. They will also contaminate any food they come into contact with through their saliva and excrement.

While there are thousands of different types of roaches on earth, the biggest cockroaches seen inside and around homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex include American cockroaches, German cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, smoky brown cockroaches, and Australian cockroaches. Check out our Pest Identification Guide for more information about the individual species you might be experiencing inside your home.

Cockroaches are resourceful and can enter into homes in a number of ways. They could have found an opening in your walls or floor that allowed them inside, or they might have snuck inside if you left a door or window open. Sometimes, they can get inside by hitching a ride inside bags, backpacks, purses, and suitcases. Check your belongings before taking them inside.

Like any pest, roaches are always in search of food, water, and a safe shelter. Unfortunately, your home provides plenty of all three resources, making it an incredibly tempting target for roaches. Leaving food out, leaving dirty dishes in the sink, keeping your trash stored in unsealed containers, and failing to vacuum regularly are all factors that could give roaches a reason to come inside.