Frequently Asked Questions

How Safe are A-1 American's pest treatments?
At A-1 American, our priority is to protect your family, home, and business. That includes educating ourselves about the latest products and methods of pest control. When possible, A-1 uses sanitation or other non-chemical controls. All of our standard indoor pest applications use low-to-no-odor microencapsulate products. All of our products are used according to label approved applications. We feel our pest programs are the safest way to rid your home of unwanted pests, much safer for your family than unsanitary pests (like cockroaches) and poisonous pests (such as Brown Recluse Spiders).

Why do I see even more pests after a pest application?
Many companies use pesticides that are repellent to insects. Further, most pesticides available to homeowners over-the-counter are also repellent. When repellent chemicals are applied to pest harborages, the insects are "flushed" from their hiding places, hence more of the pests are visible. A-1 American does not use repellent insecticides in standard indoor applications.

Does A-1 American ever use repellent pesticides?
A-1 American does not use repellent insecticides in standard indoor applications. In extreme cases, a repellent pesticide may be applied for an initial treatment followed up in a few weeks by baits or other non-repellent treatments. A-1 does occasionally use repellent treatments on some exterior applications. Obviously, repelling pests away from the "protected" area, such as the home, is a desired effect.

Why should I pay for professional pest service when I can buy chemicals from the store a apply them myself?
Many people are successfully able to rid their environment of unwanted pests by using "over the counter" control measures. In fact, at times A-1 has encouraged home owners to first try traps or baits from a local retailer. However, the obvious reasons for professional pest service may include: Proper training in safety and applications of pesticides, licensed and insured for accountability, experience in specific pests and their control measures, and proper equipment to apply pesticides safely and correctly. Simply put, when you compare the cost of multiple products, applied at initial and follow-up services, plus the addition of safety training, insurance, and licensing, the home owner is usually money ahead using a professional.

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
In short, Integrated Pest Management is the philosophy of using all available methods, chemical and non-chemical, to manage pests. Rodent control, for example, might be obtained with traps and baits. Control might also be obtained by sealing access holes where the rodents enter a structure. Additionally, sanitation and removal of food sources might be an answer. Even getting a cat could be a control measure for rodents. IPM might consider all of these methods and employ a combination for the best result.

What is a Wood Destructive Insect (WDI) Inspection?
WDI's are inspections, usually for real estate transactions, to visually check a home for termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood boring beetles, wood rot, and other destructive organisms. WDI's are probably the most confusing aspect of pest control. Often home owners and pest operators alike confused about what the inspection provides and with how much authority. The inspection is often performed by a Professional Pest Control Operator, but can be performed by other kinds of inspectors, including those without any pest license or pest experience. The inspector does not "pass" or "fail" an inspection. The inspector simply reports what he finds to the parties involved (buyer, seller, lender, agent). The inspection covers visible evidence for the structure as is at the time of inspection. It is not a guarantee that the property does not have termites, carpenter ants, or any other pest. It simply states that the inspector did his best to check the property, in spite of the obstacles, for the listed pests.