Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get rid of Yellow Jackets?
- I have questions. Who do I call?
- Is there a simple way to get rid of pesky tiny ants?
- Are there any steps I can take to help eliminate future pest problems?
- Can I feel secure with your professionals in my home?
- Can’t I just spray some insecticide or set some traps to get rid of pests?
- Do we have to leave our home during your service?
- How does Home Protection Plus work?
- How much does it cost?
- How soon can I expect to see results?
- How soon can you provide service?
- Is a preventive service plan necessary?
- Is your service safe for my family and pets?
- What are some signs that I may have a pest problem?
- What is Quality Pro?
- What is your warranty?
- Where do pests come from and how do they get in my house?
- Why should I be concerned about a few insects?
- Why should I consider Buffalo Exterminating?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of Yellow Jackets?
Yellow Jacket wasps are best left to pest management professionals with proper protective equipment. Yellow Jacket colonies are at their peak during August and September in Western New York containing hundreds to thousands of adult wasps. They are often very aggressive when their colony is approached especially during warmer weather. They can sting aggressively and pose a health threat to sensitive individuals because of the potential for multiple stings. Buffalo Exterminating receives an average of 50 calls per day during their peak season for yellow jackets alone. We offer service within days for situations such as wasps behind siding.
I have questions. Who do I call?
Buffalo Exterminating has trained pest professionals in our customer service center to assist you on the phone and to answer most any question you may have about common household pests. They can advise you on what treatment may be most appropriate for your situation and can provide more information on available services, plans, etc. Contact us online.
Is there a simple way to get rid of pesky tiny ants?
There are a number of small ant species in the Western New York area which commonly find their way into homes and businesses. Proper identification is usually necessary to determine where the particular ants are likely coming from so proper control measures can be applied. Some ants live in soil along foundations, others prefer wall voids, while others may travel some distance to a structure in search of food. Certain species of ants prefer protein based foods while others like sweets which is important if ant baits are being used for control. While a spray application of a pesticide works well to control certain types of ants it will scatter other species resulting in multiple sources of ant activity rather than just one.
Buffalo Exterminating offers free identification service of specemines that are dropped off at our office. If mailing a sample it is best to place it in a pill bottle or similar container to protect the delicate body parts from damage which may make it impossible to accurately identify.
Are there any steps I can take to help eliminate future pest problems?
You can begin a prevention plan by eliminating the conditions that attract pests. Steps include trimming tree branches and shrubbery away from your house or building, cleaning up leaf litter and removing high weeds near structures, and removing any rotted wood, landscape timbers, fence posts, tree stumps, and other debris. Eliminate food sources by keeping garbage in closed containers, cleaning up after pets, and avoiding or minimizing overspill from bird feeders. As for structures themselves, clear gutters and downspouts of any debris and seal off any openings around foundations and walls. Attics and crawl spaces should be vented properly to prevent moisture buildup, which creates an ideal environment for pests, and the vents should be screened.
Our Home Protection Plus 33 Point Inspection is designed to identify the particular conditions, unique to your own home and property, which tend to promote pest activity. Effective management of pests is best accomplished through cooperation of our pest management professionals and you as the homeowner.
Can I feel secure with your professionals in my home?
Absolutely. Every technician at Buffalo Exterminating is bonded and had to pass a complete list of background checks before joining our team. They are thoroughly trained professionals in the safe handling of all materials, and our Quality Pro certification gives you added peace of mind.
Can’t I just spray some insecticide or set some traps to get rid of pests?
Inexperienced applications of over-the-counter products are usually ineffective and can be unsafe around pets and people if used improperly. What’s more, most pests return unless you take steps to prevent them. New infestations can begin in as little as 60 days. The only truly effective way to eliminate and prevent pests is with a complete service plan from an experienced pest management company.
Do we have to leave our home during your service?
We will ask you to leave the immediate area in which our technician is working during treatment, but there is normally no need to leave your home during most service visits. When it is necessary for you to be out of your home we will arrange this with you ahead of time. Our courteous technicians work with the utmost care and use all materials responsibly. They will put back any furniture or household items that need to be moved to perform service and will clean up any debris that results from the service.
How does Home Protection Plus work?
Our exclusive Home Protection Plus Service Plan includes a comprehensive 33-point inspection of your home and property. We develop a custom pest management plan designed for your home’s unique needs. We provide follow-up inspections plus corrective and preventive treatments every season. Your plan includes application of the appropriate pest management materials, traps and more, and we pest-proof around foundations, and seal pest access points on a limited basis. You will also receive comprehensive information about the pests, treatments, and steps you can take to help prevent potential problems.
How much does it cost?
Home Protection Plus plans vary depending on your requirements. Most plans cost between $36.50 and $46.50 plus tax per month to maintain your home pest free after an initial service to correct existing pest activity. You can potentially save hundreds of dollars over individual service calls to treat new or recurring problems. Should you ever experience a problem with a pest covered under your plan, we will treat it immediately at no additional cost.
How soon can I expect to see results?
You should normally notice a marked reduction in pest activity in a day or two. It is not unusual to continue to notice some pest activity for up to two weeks. If you notice pest activity after 14 days please contact our customer service department to schedule a follow up visit. Ongoing monitoring of pest activity is the best way to ensure detection of new problems, which is included as part of your preventive plan. The most important result of our service is your complete satisfaction.
How soon can you provide service?
With a fleet of 35 trucks, chances are we are in your neighborhood and can respond quickly. We offer the convenience of one call scheduling for fast appointments, and for urgent situations, we can provide same day emergency service.
Is a preventive service plan necessary?
A service plan such as Buffalo Exterminating’s Home Protection Plus is the only truly effective way to eliminate pests and keep them from coming back. Home Protection Plus guarantees against reinfestation by 31 prevalent pests. That means you won’t be bothered by any covered pest again or we will correct the problem at no additional cost.
Is your service safe for my family and pets?
Buffalo Exterminating provides pest management services with a sharp focus on the safety of our customers and protection of the environment. “Tough on Pests, Easy on You” means that we’re easy on the environment, your home, your family, your pets, and your business with effective pest management technology that is environmentally-friendly and trained professionals who are environmentally and safety-conscious. Our treatments will not stain carpets or floors and will not harm house plants or outdoor plantings. Our exclusive, proprietary brand of pest management methods and materials delivers the safest, gentlest and most effective treatments.
What are some signs that I may have a pest problem?
The obvious evidence is the pests themselves. For example, you may notice numerous carpenter ants suddenly appearing indoors, especially in the spring. Hornets or bees may be seen hovering under the eaves outside your home. But sometimes the evidence is more subtle, if it is visible at all. Take carpenter ants. After chewing wood to make tunnels in which to live, the carpenter ant leaves behind a soft, fluffy sawdust. This sawdust, combined with bits and pieces of insects on which the ants have fed, is known as frass. Frass is carried from the nest and deposited outside and is one sign of carpenter ant damage that you may notice. Newly gnawed wood that tends to be rough with a pair of tooth marks readily visible may be evidence of mice or rats. Open-celled paper-like nests that resemble umbrellas found on the undersides of eaves, soffits, deck/porch rails, window and door frames are signs of wasp infestation. Our trained pest management professionals can assist you in finding evidence of a pest problem.
What is Quality Pro?
Buffalo Exterminating is one of fewer than 300 companies in the United States to earn Quality Pro Certification, a national standard of excellence in the pest management industry. Our Quality Pro designation is your assurance of the highest levels of service, trained technicians, environmental stewardship and professional behavior.
What is your warranty?
When you use Home Protection Plus, you are warranted against structural damage from all listed species up to double your accumulated investment in your uninterrupted program up to $5,000.00. Ask for a copy of our warranty for full details.
Where do pests come from and how do they get in my house?
There are more than 30 common household pests that are prevalent in the Western New York area, from carpenter ants and honey bees, to beetles and centipedes. Like all living things, they seek shelter to protect them from the elements and predators, and pests may enter your home while foraging for food. Most often, pests enter your home through existing cracks and openings, or access the structure from nearby trees and bushes.
Why should I be concerned about a few insects?
Certain pests such as bees and wasps can harm you and your family with painful and potentially serious stings and bites. Even centipedes have a bite similar to a bee sting. Other pests such as rodents can be disease carriers. That’s not to mention the significant structural damage pests can do to your home by burrowing into wood and under structures.
Why should I consider Buffalo Exterminating?
Buffalo Exterminating is Western New York’s largest and most experienced pest management company, locally owned and operated since 1954. As a local company, we are most knowledgeable about the pests common to our area and we utilize the most effective treatments. Our state certified and credentialed technicians make over 50,000 service calls to area homes and businesses each year – they are experts who don’t just treat symptoms; the identify and treat the source of pest problems. Our fully trained customer service professionals are ready to assist you with your pest questions and service needs when you call.
