Pest Control in Chico

Termites have straight antennae, a thick uniform waist, and two pairs of wings of equal length; ants have elbowed antennae, pinched waists and unequal wings. Mud tubes on foundations, hollow-sounding timber and piles of shed wings near windows point to termites — get a professional inspection quickly, since termite damage compounds.

A typical visit includes an inspection, interior treatment of kitchens/bathrooms/entry points, an exterior perimeter barrier spray, and a written report. It usually covers common crawling insects (ants, roaches, spiders). Rodents, termites, bed bugs, wasps and mosquitoes are almost always quoted separately — confirm what's on the ticket.

Exterior barrier sprays typically remain effective 60-90 days, less in heavy rain. Gel baits keep working for weeks as insects share them. Rodent programs are about proofing, not just bait, so results last as long as entry points stay sealed. This decay is why prevention plans run quarterly.

DIY sprays and baits handle light ant or roach activity fine. Hire a professional for anything structural or persistent: termites, bed bugs, rodents inside walls, wasp nests in cavities, or repeat infestations. Pros have access to products and application methods retail products don't match, and misapplied DIY sprays can scatter colonies and make infestations harder to treat.

Bed bug jobs are labor-intensive: 2-3 visits spaced around the egg cycle, treatment of every crack in affected rooms, and heavy prep by the household. Heat treatment kills all life stages in one day but needs specialist equipment, which is why it costs several times a standard insect spray. Cheap one-visit bed bug quotes are the ones that fail.

A termite bond is an ongoing contract where the company inspects annually and covers retreatment (and sometimes repair costs) if termites return. In termite-heavy states, especially in the South, lenders and buyers often expect one; it typically costs $300-$900 per year after an initial treatment.

Almost never. US homeowners policies treat termite, rodent and insect damage as preventable maintenance, so prevention plans and inspections are the only financial protection. A wood-destroying insect report ($75-$200) is standard in many real-estate transactions.