Why Am I Still Seeing Bugs? Is My Pest Management Company Really Doing Their Job?

You’ve seen a host of ants in the kitchen or a mouse or two in the basement, so you call your pest management company and look forward to having them resolve your pest issue quickly.  However, days pass and you are actually seeing more ants (or mice) than ever before. So, what is going on?  Why is this happening when you’ve invested your time and money into hiring a pest management company?  

The answer is: It’s Working! This is effective pest management in progress. 

So, what exactly is the process?  Here’s a breakdown and an approximate timeline that may help you see the light at the end of this irritating tunnel!  

● Immediate results are not always the case - Most pest control materials are intentionally slow-acting. This is because the goal is not just to disrupt, but to eliminate the entire pest colony.

● Pests need to consume or come into contact with the treatment in order to spread it throughout their colony. With this approach, it's not uncommon to actually see more pests coming out from their hiding spots. This can continue for a period after the initial treatment.

● Seeing more pests is a really good thing! When treating ants, for example, it’s very common to see a lot more ants before the issue subsides.  This is because when ants find a food source, they create a trail pheromone that alerts other worker ants in the colony that there’s food. The more ants that take the bait back to the colony, the faster the process of eliminating the pest. Do not do anything to disrupt the feeding process as it may extend the period you have the ants in your home.  

● The two-week rule - For many pest species, such as ants and mice, it's reasonable to expect that you won't see a significant difference for at least two weeks after treatment. During this time, the bait or pesticide should have been consumed and impacted enough pests to significantly reduce their numbers.

● Follow-up visits may be necessary - If you still see the same level of pest activity after two weeks, it's a good idea to contact us for a follow-up visit.

Although there is no exact way to predict the elimination time of any pest issue, we are here for you every step of the way! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for suggestions and guidance, call (833) 237-2270, or email sales@nopests.com.