Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of professional pest control depends on factors such as the size of your property, the severity of the infestation, the type of pest, and how often treatments are needed. Although professional services may appear more expensive initially than DIY options, they usually save you money in the long run by providing effective pest control and preventing expensive issues like structural damage from termites.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a comprehensive pest control approach that combines prevention, monitoring, and targeted treatments. It focuses on long-term solutions by minimizing pesticide use and addressing the root causes of infestations, such as food, water, and shelter sources. IPM is environmentally friendly and promotes sustainable pest control.

We use environmentally conscious techniques to ensure your home and loved ones are comfortable and pest-free. We recommend keeping pets and children away from any products applied until they are dry.

To prevent pests, seal cracks and crevices, fix leaks, store food in airtight containers, and keep your home clean. Seasonal pest control treatments are a must to create a strong exterior barrier against ants, roaches, spiders, and more.

Professional pest control offers expertise, efficiency, and long-lasting results that DIY methods often can't match. Master technicians, like those at Mares Exterminating, can accurately identify the source of pest problems and use targeted treatments to eliminate them effectively while preventing future infestations. Additionally, our local pest control ensures safe and environmentally friendly solutions, protecting your family, pets, and property.

The key difference between DIY pest control and professional services lies in expertise, effectiveness, and long-term results. DIY methods often provide temporary relief and focus on treating visible pests, while professional services, like those offered by Mares Exterminating, target the root cause of infestations to prevent them from returning. Our Master Technicians have access to specialized tools, knowledge, and treatments that are more effective and environmentally friendly than over-the-counter products. Additionally, professional pest control saves you time and effort while protecting your home from costly damage that DIY solutions may not fully address.

Subterranean termites live in colonies underground and build mud tubes to access above-ground food sources, such as wood structures. They are the most common type of wood-destroying insects in the U.S. and are known for causing significant damage to homes and buildings.

Signs of subterranean termites are mud tubes on walls or foundations, hollow-sounding wood, discarded wings, or visible damage to wood structures. An inspection by a professional is the best way to confirm an infestation.

Subterranean termites are active year-round, but they are most noticeable during the spring and early summer, when they swarm to start new colonies. They remain active underground even in colder months.

Subterranean termites can cause extensive damage to wooden structures. Over time, their feeding weakens wood, leading to costly structural repairs. Termite damage in the U.S. results in billions of dollars in repairs annually.

Subterranean termites typically enter homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around plumbing and utility lines, or from wood that is in contact with soil. They use mud tubes to travel between their underground colonies and your home.

Yes, most modern termite treatments are safe for pets and children. Termite bait stations are placed in discreet locations outside the home, and liquid termiticides are designed to be applied with minimal impact on people or pets. We recommend letting liquid products dry.

A single termite colony can consume a pound of wood in about a month, meaning significant damage can occur over several months or years without detection.

A termite warranty provides ongoing protection, covering retreatments if termites return. Mares Exterminating offers termite warranties that include annual inspections and a detailed report.

Repairs can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the extent of the damage.

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover termite damage, as it is considered preventable with proper maintenance and inspections.

To prevent subterranean termites:

• Keep wood and debris away from your home's foundation.
• Ensure proper drainage and reduce moisture around the home.
• Repair cracks in your foundation or other entry points.
• Schedule regular termite inspections and treatments with Ozane Termite & Pest Control.

Excess moisture in crawl spaces can lead to mold growth, wood rot, pest infestations, and poor indoor air quality, which can affect the health and safety of your home.

Moisture can enter through soil (groundwater), high humidity, poor ventilation, plumbing leaks, or gaps in the foundation.

Yes, dehumidifiers are highly effective for maintaining optimal humidity levels in crawl spaces, especially in our area.

Flood vents, or flood openings, are specially designed openings installed in a building's foundation walls to allow floodwaters to flow freely in and out. These vents reduce the pressure on the walls, preventing structural damage during a flood.

Failing to install flood vents can result in non-compliance with FEMA or NFIP regulations, leading to higher insurance premiums or denial of coverage. It can also increase the risk of severe structural damage during a flood.

Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, where they lay their eggs, and body heat, sweat, and the carbon dioxide humans exhale. They like to shelter in tall grass, overgrown landscaping, and shady areas.

Our mosquito control involves targeted treatments to control adult mosquitoes and larvae. Mares mosquito treatments are applied monthly during peak mosquito season.

Remove standing water from items like birdbaths, flowerpots, and gutters, trim tall grass, and use mosquito-repellent plants like citronella or lavender to reduce mosquitoes.

Most mosquitoes stay within a few hundred feet of their breeding sites, but some species, like the saltmarsh mosquito, can travel several miles.

Mosquitoes reproduce rapidly, with females laying eggs every 3-4 days after a blood meal. In ideal conditions, these eggs can hatch within 24-48 hours, and the entire life cycle—from egg to adult mosquito—can take as little as 10-14 days. This quick reproduction rate makes mosquitoes one of the most persistent and challenging pests to control, emphasizing the need for consistent preventive measures and professional mosquito control services.

Some people attract mosquitoes more than others due to factors like body odor, sweat, and the carbon dioxide they exhale. Mosquitoes are also drawn to certain blood types, with studies suggesting that Type O may be particularly appealing. Other factors include body heat, skin bacteria, and even the colors of clothing. Perfumes and scented lotions can also increase attractiveness to mosquitoes.

Female mosquitoes bite to extract blood, which they need to develop their eggs. Male mosquitoes do not bite and feed on nectar instead.

Bug zappers are not highly effective against mosquitoes because mosquitoes are more attracted to carbon dioxide and heat than light.

Yes, mosquitoes can transmit heartworms to dogs and cats, so it's essential to use veterinarian-recommended preventive treatments for your pets and Mares' mosquito control program for your lawn.

Fleas are small, wingless parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are dark brown, about 1/8 inch long, and known for their incredible jumping ability.

Yes, fleas can hide and breed in carpets, rugs, furniture, and floor cracks. Their eggs and larvae often settle in these areas, creating a persistent infestation.

Flea dirt is the fecal matter left behind by fleas after they feed on blood. It resembles tiny black or dark brown specks, often found in your pet's fur, bedding, or carpets. Flea dirt is essentially digested blood, and when it comes into contact with water, it dissolves and turns red. Flea dirt is a reliable sign that fleas are feeding on your pet, even if the fleas themselves aren't visible.

Yes, even homes without pets can get fleas. Fleas can enter via rodents or wildlife around your home, hitch a ride on visitors or your shoes and clothing, or come from second-hand furniture or rugs. Once inside, they find places to hide and breed, creating an infestation.

Adult fleas can live for several days to two weeks without a host. However, flea eggs and larvae can survive in the environment for weeks or months, waiting for ideal conditions to hatch.

Fleas reproduce at an incredibly rapid rate, making infestations challenging to control. After feeding on a host, an adult female flea can begin laying eggs within 24 to 48 hours, producing 20 to 50 eggs per day and up to 2,000 in her lifetime. Depending on environmental conditions, these eggs hatch within 2 to 12 days, with warm, humid environments accelerating the process. The larvae then go through several molts before entering the pupal stage, where they are well-protected inside cocoons. In ideal conditions, pupation lasts 5 to 14 days, but fleas can remain dormant in their cocoons for months if no host is available. Once a host is detected through vibrations, heat, or carbon dioxide, adult fleas emerge, feeding within minutes and mating within 24 to 48 hours. The cycle then repeats, allowing flea populations to grow exponentially in a short amount of time. This rapid reproduction is why flea infestations require prompt and thorough treatment.

German cockroaches are small, light brown pests with two dark stripes behind their heads, commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. Known for rapid reproduction, they thrive in warm, humid areas with easy access to food and water. Beyond being a nuisance, they can spread bacteria, contaminate food, and trigger allergies or asthma. Due to their ability to hide and resist some treatments, professional pest control is often the best way to eliminate and prevent infestations.

German cockroaches are typically light brown or tan with two dark parallel stripes on their pronotum (back of the head).

German cockroaches are difficult to eliminate due to their rapid reproduction, resistance to pesticides, and ability to hide in small cracks and crevices. They thrive in warm, humid environments with access to food and water, often making kitchens and bathrooms prime habitats. Their nocturnal nature and tendency to scatter when disturbed make locating and treating the entire infestation challenging. Effective elimination typically requires professional pest control, combining thorough inspections, targeted treatments, and preventive measures to stop them from returning.

They prefer warm, humid environments. They are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas with easy access to food and water. During the day, they hide in cracks, crevices, and behind appliances and emerge at night to feed.

To prevent a German cockroach infestation, focus on eliminating their access to food, water, and shelter:

1. Keep Your Home Clean: Regularly sweep, mop, and wipe down counters to remove crumbs and spills.
2. Store Food Properly: Keep food in sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food or dirty dishes out overnight.
3. Fix Leaks: Repair plumbing issues and eliminate standing water to remove moisture sources.
4. Declutter: Remove cardboard, paper, and unnecessary clutter where cockroaches can hide.
5. Seal Entry Points: To prevent roaches from entering your home, close gaps around doors, windows, and pipes.
6. Take Out Trash Regularly: Dispose of garbage promptly and use a sealed trash bin.

German cockroaches have wings, but they rarely fly. Instead, they primarily rely on crawling to move around. They may sometimes glide short distances if they jump from a high surface, but they are not strong fliers like other cockroach species. Their agility and speed on the ground make them effective at hiding and spreading throughout a home.

Perform a "tick drag" by dragging a white cloth over tall grass or dense vegetation areas. Ticks will cling to the fabric, making them easier to see. If you find ticks during the drag, it may be a sign that professional treatment is necessary.

No, ticks cannot jump or fly. They climb onto hosts by waiting on tall grass or shrubs and latching on as people or animals pass by.

Ticks are most active during the spring and summer, especially from April to September, though some species remain active into the fall or winter in milder climates.

Common types of include the black-legged tick (deer tick), lone star tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick. Each species has its preferred habitat and can carry specific diseases.

Ticks often bite without causing pain, so checking your body after spending time outdoors is essential. Signs of a tick bite may include:

• A small red bump or irritation at the bite site.
• A bullseye rash (for Lyme disease).
• Flu-like symptoms (if infected with a tick-borne illness).