The weather in Riverside includes hot summers and mild & often wet winters, and coupled with other factors like reliance on irrigation, pest problems rarely subside here. There are older properties here with crawlspaces, which add additional pressure, while hillside homes have ongoing rodent issues from open land. Argentine ants, roof rats, and cockroaches are some of the typical species here for which you need professional help.
We talked to Akela Pest Control experts – A company that is known to provide the best pest control in Riverside– to discuss what happens during a visit. Here is a list of steps that the Akela team follows, and this is exactly what you should expect from any service.
- Initial Information Gathering: On the phone, pest experts will ask a few basic questions about the spotted pests, the location of activity, frequency of signs, and what measures you have tried so far. Exterminators also want to know about pets and children, previous treatments, and irrigation patterns.
- Exterior Inspection: Once you agree to the date and time, technicians will start with an inspection of exterior areas, where they look at window seals, foundation cracks, utility penetrations, and the roof areas. They will also check the yard to find facts like mulch depth near the foundation, whether tree branches and plants are touching the main structure, and irrigation overspray zones.
- Interior Inspection: This covers kitchens and bathrooms along with other areas of the house, to find moisture sources, access points, and clutter. Technicians will also look for signs like droppings, chew marks, and damage to wooden structures. The goal is to identify the species first. For instance, Argentine ants are different from other ants. They will determine infestation size and nesting hotspots.
- Implementation of Treatment: Treatment varies by pest type and severity, but if the company follows IPM, technicians will only use products that are less toxic and apply them in targeted areas. Targeted gel baits are often considered for ants or roaches, while perimeter treatments may be necessary for some properties. Specific measures can be considered for rodent exclusion.
- Recommendations: IPM recommends educating homeowners for prevention. Experts will recommend landscaping steps that can help with irrigation adjustments and leak repairs. You will also learn that getting rid of clutter and disposing of waste carefully can help keep insects and rodents away.
- Documentation & Service Report: Once the work is done, technicians will offer a detailed summary of everything they have done, including treatments applied and areas inspected and covered. If they offer a warranty, the summary will outline when you can contact the pest control company again for help.
- Follow-Up: Top companies always schedule follow-up visits depending on the severity of the infestation and pest type. You can expect technicians to return after a few weeks to check whether there are any signs that need attention. You can also consider signing up for an additional plan, which will include seasonal inspections.
Pointers to Note
Given the climate in Southern California, don’t assume that DIY steps will offer the same results as professional work. While DIY may help with temporary issues, ongoing efforts are a must in Riverside. Trained technicians know that just one-time visits don’t do much to counter recurring infestations, which is why they often space treatment dates. If you have any questions, ask during the first visit, so that there is clarity on approach, strategies, safety measures, and treatments. Make sure the company talks about prevention, which isn’t limited to the work of professionals but also efforts at your end.
When you team with a competent pest control service in Riverside, you can rely on them to prevent sudden infestations, which can require expensive treatments.