Frequently Asked Questions

Our customers are our number one priority. We train all our technicians to apply the products we use properly and according to the label directions that are reviewed by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Training is ongoing throughout the year to stay up to date with the best techniques for treating for pests.
It depends on many factors. The main three are: what is the biology of the pest, what is the level of infestation, and are the conditions in the area contributing to the problem? The Western Pest Services trained professionals do a thorough inspection to come up with the best solution to solve your pest problem, including making recommendations to address any conditions that may be contributing to it. In addition, we will train you, your family, your employees – anyone that frequents the property – on what to do to help them not come back.
In many cases, we do not. Western uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which relies on non-chemical as well as chemical management techniques. The principle is that we evaluate the situation and apply the right treatment method (chemical or not) to each situation, often relying on mechanical control, physical controls, and preventative controls first. However, since our technicians are trained to use pesticides, they will apply them only in the safest way possible. Remember, the products we’re using are only a small part of what we do for pest control. Other aspects of IPM include conducting thorough inspections, educating you on making your property less hospitable to pests, and utilizing exclusions to help keep pests out. We also make sure to apply our products with a targeted treatment strategy so the product only goes where it will be the most effective.
We use a wide variety of different products depending on the pest. We follow the directions instructed on the manufacturer’s label of the product, which is reviewed and approved by the EPA. The label is the law! Most importantly, our technicians are provided with the proper equipment, and they are trained to only treat where it will make the most sense and do the most good to eliminate the pests.
Yes – we are licensed, bonded, and insured.
While we would rather do a free inspection at your home or facility so we can create a customized plan and therefore a customized estimate, there are certain instances where we can give a price estimate over the phone. For termites, bed bugs, and large infestations, we need to have an inspector look at the problem before being able to provide an accurate price estimate.
The cost of our services always depends on the type of pest issue you have. The location of the pest issue and the size of the home or business are factors in determining price as well. Our most cost-effective program offers year-round protection for the most common pests in the area. A service like this includes routine visits spread out throughout the year and includes free emergency service visits for any covered pest that may pop up in between regular visits. Keep in mind that having more routine services done can save you money to prevent larger infestations down the road. And more frequent service could save you on the per-service cost. Always talk to your salesperson for the best answers to cost questions.
If you have a service agreement with us, we guarantee that we will continue to treat your pest problem until the pest issue is resolved. It’s important to note that most pest issues take time to resolve. We don’t carry a magic cure on our trucks that will instantly get rid of everyone’s pest issue as soon as we show up. However, we do have highly trained technicians to perform the service the most effective way possible. They will also provide a reasonable timetable on when to expect results from the treatment. We also have a money back guarantee if a customer is not satisfied with our service for any reason.
Hours vary from branch to branch, but typically, the hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST. During the busy season (usually April – September) we open about 30 minutes early during the week and we are open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. In addition, every branch has an emergency phone number that is listed on their answering machine. A manager is assigned to this for emergencies or calls that may come outside our normal operating times.
We want to make sure our technicians perform effectively and efficiently, so taking their time to treat is paramount. The length of the service depends on several factors including: type of service being performed, what size is the home or business, is there an infestation or is it just a few pests, are we doing an interior or exterior treatment or both? A regular routine service with just exterior treatments will take approximately 20-30 minutes (depending on the size of the property) if there are no current pest issues at the time.
Self-treating for pests can sometimes make the situation worse. Several over-the-counter products can counteract the professional products that a technician may use. Also, many of the over-the-counter products available are low in effectiveness and sometimes can even repel pests, causing them to spread out. For example, bed bugs are notoriously difficult to treat without a professional. There’s a lot of research showing that using over-the-counter methods can push them into different rooms or more difficult hiding spots. All that will do is create an infestation in an area of your home or business that is more difficult to treat. Additionally, self-treating can cause safety issues for people and pets. It’s also not a good idea to overlap different products on top of each other creating your very own chemical experiment. Getting rid of excess product doesn’t mean just throwing them in the trash, either. Our technicians are not only trained to use the products, they are certified too. It’s the safest and most effective way to treat for pests and they take excess product with them.
Only in certain situations. Some products used, such as gel baits for cockroaches and snap traps for rodents, do not require you to vacate. For some pests like bed bugs though, the products we use require you, your family or staff, and your pets to stay out of the home or business for a period of time after the application is complete. Our general pest treatments usually only require the products to dry before they are working and are safe for people and pets to reenter the area. You wouldn’t need to leave – just give the product time to dry. Be sure to keep people and pets away from the rooms that were treated until the product is dry. Drying time can vary depending on humidity levels, but 30-60 minutes is a good approximation. We do recommend you, your family or staff, and your pets stay away from our technicians while they’re treating. Our disinfectant treatment dries quicker – usually about 15-20 minutes. Whatever the situation, you will be guided on what is the safest option for you and your family.
Results are fully dependent on the pest, the size of the infestation, and if there are conditions in the area contributing to the pest. The technician can give a reasonable time expectation on when you will start to see results once they do an inspection and assess what’s going on.
Some of the products we use are actually more effective and activated by a good, soft rain. Some sprays will need to be re-applied. We always watch the weather to ensure we’re adhering to label directions in or before any weather events. Either way though, our technicians are trained to spray underneath edges and in the most sheltered spots in the areas that need treatment. So, most of the time, we will not need to come back out before our next regular routine service.
Yes! the Western Payment Plan can help you pay for many different services we provide. Get details here.