Gresham Pest Control & Extermination

Odorous house ants — sugar ants — get flooded out of their outdoor nests during heavy Pacific Northwest rain and follow scent trails inside for food and dry ground. Spraying the trail only scatters the colony. We use non-repellent baiting so workers carry the treatment back to the nest, then seal the entry gaps they used.

They can be. Carpenter ants target moisture-damaged wood, and homes backing up to greenspace with damp crawlspaces or clogged gutters are prime candidates. We locate the parent and satellite colonies, treat them directly, and flag the moisture problem that invited them so the damage stops for good.

We inspect the crawlspace, roofline, and foundation for entry points — often gaps around utility penetrations no bigger than a quarter — then seal them with gnaw-proof materials and trap out whatever is already inside. It is a permanent fix, unlike bait boxes alone, which just manage the population forever.

We use products according to their label directions, which are set by regulators specifically to protect people and animals. Before any treatment, your technician will explain what is being applied, where, and whether any re-entry time applies for children or pets. For most standard treatments, staying off treated surfaces until they dry is all that is needed.

It depends on the pest and the situation. A single wasp nest or a light ant problem can often be resolved in one visit. Ongoing pressure from seasonal invaders, or pests like roaches and rodents that reproduce quickly, usually calls for a recurring plan with a guarantee between visits. We will recommend the least service that actually solves your problem.

For most general treatments, very little: pick items up off the floor along baseboards, cover or put away pet food and water bowls, and secure pets in another room during service. Bed bug and roach treatments require more preparation, and we send you a specific checklist ahead of your appointment.

A short spike in visible activity is normal and usually a good sign — treatments flush pests out of hiding and disrupt the colony. Activity typically drops noticeably within one to two weeks. If covered pests are still active after that window on a guaranteed plan, we return and re-treat at no extra charge.

Once a year is the standard recommendation, since termites can cause significant structural damage before visible signs appear. Homes with prior termite history, wood-to-soil contact, or moisture issues may warrant more frequent checks. An annual inspection is quick, and catching activity early keeps repair costs down dramatically.