Whether it's ants invading
your kitchen, spiders in your basement, squirrels nesting in your attic, or
problems with termites, swarming termites or ants, or other common invading
pests, American Sentry Pest Control Company can help! Our experienced team of
licensed and certified professionals can:
Here's a partial listing of the pests we treat:
Ants, Termites, Swarming Termites, Bees, Spiders, Crickets, Silverfish, Mice, Pantry Pests, Roaches, Fleas, Moths, Earwigs, Rats, Firebrats, Millipedes, Centipedes, Ticks, Bats, Squirrels, Raccoons, Opossums, Skunks, Birds, and more!
American Sentry Pest Control offers a variety of treatment services — from a one-time Single Treatment Service for immediate treatment of an identified pest, to a regular Quarterly Pest Control Service (our most popular service plan) which offers affordable year-round prevention and control of a variety of common household pests that tend to cycle with each season. And, for commercial customers, we offer flexible scheduling options to suit a variety of servicing needs. Call today for your free, no obligation and no pressure pest inspection — all you have to lose are the pests!
For many homeowners, few
things are as pesky as when ants invade the home. Streaming in by the hundreds,
or even thousands, to invade pet dishes, countertops, tables and appliances,
ant infestations can quickly spiral out of control and become a source of frustration,
sanitation concerns and even embarrassment.
While there are many varieties of ants, small black ants which are frequently
referred to as "sugar ants" are a common kitchen and pantry invader.
These miniature armies are attracted to food sources such as pet foods, grease,
counter and floor crumbs, along with the ready supply of water found in most
kitchens.
Another common home invader is the Carpenter Ant. These larger ants (1/4 to 1/2-inch long ants with black, reddish, or brownish bodies) burrow holes in wood to nest and, like termites, can do SERIOUS structural damage to your home. If you suspect that you may have carpenter ants (see ants, hear rustling behind walls or inside wooden sills, moulding or joists, or find small piles of sawdust around door frames or windows) it is important to call us for an inspection right away so that the infestation can be confirmed and treated.
CAUTION: if you discover what appear to be winged, flying ants in or around your home, beware—you may actually have termites! See Swarming Ants or Termites below, and be sure to check out our Termites link for additional information).
Unfortunately, ants are among the most difficult insect to address, often requiring follow-up treatments for effective control. Because the key to success is often a combination of factors such as correctly identifying the type of ants you're dealing with, identifying points of entry, conducive conditions, and knowledge about the various types of treatment options available, you're best bet for controlling ants is to enlist the services of a professional pest management company like American Sentry Pest Control.
Call
today for a FREE pest inspection—703-361-6060.
Our trained inspectors
will thoroughly inspect your home and offer an effective, and affordable treatment
plan to best meet your individual needs. As always with American Sentry Pest
Control, there'll be no pressure or obligation to buy—just honest answers
to your pest control questions, and affordable, quality service you can depend
on.
Swarming
Ants orTermites?
Homeowners
often confuse flying reproductive termites for flying ants—a potentially
costly mistake. Left unchecked, termite infestations can literally compromise
the structural integrity of your home. Because flying ants and termites do look
a lot alike, it is important to correctly identify these invaders if you spot
them in or around your home. Unfortunately, to the untrained eye, this can be
quite difficult—but there are distict characteristics that you can look
for (see below). Of course, there's no need to risk your home on uncertainty...
American Sentry Pest Control will be happy to positively identify swarming
ants and termites for you during a free, no obligation pest inspection. Call
today—all you have to lose are the pests!
Buying
or selling a home?
American Sentry performs
pest and termite inspections and provides Wood Destroying Insect Reports (WDIs)
for settlement. Call to schedule your appointment: 703-361-6060.
Your home is perhaps your biggest investment -- don't let termites eat it away! Fact: Each year, termites cause up to $3 billion worth of damage in the U.S. No matter how old it is, or what it is made of your home could be attacked by subterranean termites... BUT YOU CAN FIGHT BACK! American Sentry Pest Control can help!
To protect your home from the devasting effects of termite damage, it is highly recommended that you have it inspected by an experienced pest management professional. Licensed and certified, with over 15 years of experience, American Sentry's trained inspectors can:
Both preventative and treatment options come with a limited warranty and easy renewal option, so you can rest easy, knowing you can trust American Sentry Pest Control to help you protect your most valuable investment — your home.
TermitesFound throughout the United States, subterranean termites feed on the cellulose in wood fiber, paper, books, cardboard and other products — making your home a prime target to satisfy their voracious appetites! Even structures made with steel framing and masonry walls are subject to the damage hungry termites can inflict due to wooden door and window frames, cabinetry and various other wood and paper products typically found within. Left unchecked, termites can literally destroy the structural integrity of your home.
Subterranean termites nest in large underground termite colonies with individuals often numbering in the millions. They construct elaborate mud tubes which they use to travel through the soil and to search for food, and once found, to connect the food source (very often your home) to the colony.
Termites have been called an "unseen enemy," because it is not uncommon for the small, white worker termites to never be seen by unsuspecting homeowners while they are actively damaging the home. When termites are seen, it is usually the Swarming Winged Reproductives (swarming termites) that emerge in mass in the Spring and Fall to mate and start new colonies. Unfortunately, many homeowners confuse these winged termites for flying ants — an often costly mistake.
To the untrained eye, it
can be quite difficult — but there are distict characteristics that differentiate
swarming ants and termites. Of course, there's no need to risk your home
on an uncertain answer... American Sentry Pest Control will be happy
to positively identify swarming ants and termites for you during a free, no
obligation pest inspection.
Because we treat your home as if it were our own, American Sentry Pest Control only uses what we believe to be one of the most effective termite treatments on the market — Termindor™ Termiticide/Insecticide. In ongoing studies it has proven to be 100% effective in eradicating termite colonies in three months or less — a claim no other termiticide or termite system of any type can make. And, unlike baiting systems such as Sentricon® which may take months or years to control the colony (see Baiting Systems vs. Termidor Liquid Treatment below), Termidor™ begins to work immediately. Here are some key features:
Baiting Systems such as Sentricon®** have been heavily promoted in the media, and many homeowners have been sold on their non-invasive benefits. Typically, "bait stations" are installed every few feet around the perimeter of a property. The stations are monitored, and once termites are observed "taking the bait," the stations are loaded with a chemically treated bait which, when ingested and shared with the colony, results in control. While many Baiting Systems can indeed be effective over time, there are several serious drawbacks to consider.
Bottom Line: "If You're Not Asking for Termidor, You're Asking for Trouble!"™
There are steps you can take to improve your odds of avoiding termite infestations, such as making your house less desireable to termites by reducing moisture and organic matter around your home. For instance, don't store firewood or scrap lumber near the house and remove infested trees and stumps. To reduce moisture, repair leaky faucets and gutters, and grade so that water runs away from the house. Also ventillate crawl spaces to reduce humidity.
Finally, you can consider a preventative treatment on your home, which when performed by American Sentry Pest Control, comes with a renewable one-year limited warranty — for full details, give us a call.
*All Termidor
information courtesy of Bayer AG. Termidor, the Termidor logo and tag lines
are trademarks of Bayer AG.
** Sentricon is a registered
trademark of Dow Agro Sciences.
Termite Treatment & Prevention
Termites move through the
soil looking for food. Once they have discovered your home, they launch a full-on
attack, constructing mud tubes that lead to expansion joints, foundation cracks,
hollow bricks or concrete blocks, spaces where floors and walls meet, and even
the smallest openings around plumbing and electrical connections. Any building,
whether built on crawl space, basement or slab foundations, is susceptible to
termite infestation. And again, because termites tend to eat from the inside-out,
it is not uncommon for unsuspecting homeowners to never notice the infestations
— only realizing a problem when damage becomes evident, such as discovering
a sagging floor or crumbling window sill.
Unfortunately, it's not always easy to determine if you have a termite infestation in your home — to be certain, it is always recommended that you consult a licensed pest management professional. However, there are some things you can look for, such as: holes or voids in wood; crumbling drywall, window sills or door frames; sagging doors and floors. Swarming winged reproductives (often mistaken with flying ants) or their discarded wings (they shed their wings once mating is over) are also signs of possible infestation. Finally, look for mud tubes which are commonly found on masonry or along pipes.
Remember,
there's no need to bet your house on uncertainty — American Sentry Pest
Control's inspections are free, and we're just as happy to tell you when you
don't have a problem as we are to offer assistance when you do!
American Sentry Pest Control
recommends what we believe to be one of the most effective products on the market
— Termidor.™ In ongoing studies it has proven to be 100% effective
in controling termite colonies in 3 months or less. Applied at very low rates
(just 0.06%), the active ingredient in Termidor has been used around the world
on cats and dogs for flea and tick control, and on agricultural crops to protect
food supplies. It is EPA registered, and is virtually odorless.* You can learn
more about Termidor on our Termite Treatment
and Prevention page.
Termite baiting systems such as Sentricon® have been heavily promoted in the media, and can be effective, but there are some serious drawbacks to consider. See our Termite Treatment and Prevention section for details on why a liquid termite treatment with Termidor may be the preferred option for your home.
It depends on the type of treatment. Baiting systems can take a considerable amount of time (months or even years) to get colonies under control depending on how quickly termites locate installed bait stations, and once located, if they accept the bait. Termidor liquid treatment, however, begins to work immediately and in ongoing studies, has proven to be 100% effective in controling termite colonies with 3 months or less after application — no waiting and no uncertainties!*
Absolutely! We stand by
our services and offer a termite warranty with an easy annual renewal option.
Having your home reinspected annually and maintaining the termite warranty are
two effective ways to protect yourself against the potentially devastating effects
of termite damage. The warranty esnures that any termite infestations discovered
during the annual termite inspection, or at any time during the warranty term
will be treated at no additional cost to you.***
Many consumer advocates
recommend that you read warranty contracts very carefully, because there may
be clauses or conditions that may make what appears on the surface to be a great
deal, in reality, not so great a deal after all. For example, in examining these
types of warranties, you may find that they actually EXCLUDE "hidden"
termite damage. Because termites typically consume structures from the inside
out, it is not only possible, but highly probable that damage will be hidden
(inside wall voids, inside joists and beams, behind wall paper, behind appliances,
under carpet, behind wood trim, and even in some cases, under paint!), and therefore,
may be ineligible for repair under the warranty terms.
Whether you choose American Sentry Pest Control or another pest control company, we strongly recommend that you consult a licensed pest management professional to assist you with your termite and pest control needs. According to the National Pest Management Association, "...without adequate training to correctly identify the types of termites you have and the extent of the infestation, as well as knowledge on how to eliminate favorable conditions and select correct treatment options, trying to do the job yourself may be a costly mistake. Professional termite inspectors are experienced in determining the type of termite problem you have and are knowledgeable about the best treatment strategy to get rid of the termites in your home. If treatments are mixed, applied, and monitored incorrectly, you will not have controlled your termite problem and may have compromised your own and your family's environment and safety."
Approved Termiticides are chemicals used for the control of termites. They are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and extensively tested for effectiveness by the U.S. Forest Service.
Pre-construction ground treatments are meant to reduce the threat of future termite infestations, but their long-term effects can diminish over time — particularly as soil is disturbed during landscapting or construction, rennovations or additions. According to the National Pest Management Association, no matter how old it is or what it is made of, your house can be infested by termites.
Check the termite warranty expiration date on the contract you received from the company that performed the pre-construction treatment. At minimum, it's advisable to have the home reinspected at the end of that warranty period by a licensed pest control company at which time you can purchase an extended termite warranty. Also, while they'll most likely want your continued business, you're not obligated to the company that performed the initial pre-treatment to extend your warranty — you can shop around for the best price.
It is often impossible to ascertain whether termite infestations are active or inactive without subsequent inspections. Any visible damage noted by the inspector is an indication that some degree of damage, including damage in areas which are not visible or obstructed from view, may be present. Unfortunately, while we can treat the termites, we do not offer structural damage reports — if you'd like a structural damage report on your property, you'll have to contact an appropriate professional.
Winged reproductive termites often emerge in Spring and Fall to mate and start new colonies. Unfortunately, many homeowners confuse these winged termites for flying ants — an often costly mistake. To the untrained eye, it can be quite difficult to tell them apart, however, there are distinct characteristics to look for. For example, swarming ants have elbowed antennae, narrow waists, long legs, and their front wings are larger than their hind wings. Conversely, swarming termites have straight antennae, thick waists, shorter legs, and four equally-sized wings. See our illustration and more information in our Termite Overview section.
Of course, there's no need to risk your home on an uncertain answer... American Sentry Pest Control will be happy to positively identify swarming ants and termites for you during a free, no obligation pest inspection.
You can give us a call at 703-361-6060. We'll be happy to answer your pest control questions, and if you'd like, will be pleased to schedule a free, no obligation and no pressure inspection so that we can evaluate your problem first-hand and give you a treatment recommendation to meet your particular needs.
*All Termidor
information provided courtesy of Bayer AG. Termidor, the Termidor logo and tag
lines are trademarks of Bayer AG.
**Sentricon® is a registered
trademark of Dow Agro Sciences.
***Terms and conditions apply. Please see the Limited Subterranean Termite Agreement
for full warranty details.
You like Nature -- Just not "inside" the house with you, right? No problem! Our animal control and trapping services can help take the "wild" out of your kingdom!
When wild animals take up residence in your home it can be quite annoying — it's also down-right dangerous! Wild animals and rodents can destroy property, and many are known to carry diseases which are harmful to people and pets. Please Beware! While some may look cute and cuddly, wild animals will and do bite!
If you discover that you're sharing a roof with wild critters — whether it's squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, birds, bats, rodents or others — it's always best to have them removed by a professional.
American Sentry offers full animal control services, including baiting and trapping, so you can get back to enjoying nature where it's meant to be enjoyed — OUTSIDE! You'll also be glad to know that we strive to treat captured animals humanely — relocating them when possible, turning them over to licensed rehabilitators or local animal control and rescue services.
Remember, wild animals make lousey house guests!
Birds Nesting in Your Vents?
Annoying and potentially dangerous — built-up nesting materials can clog dryer vents which may lead to house fires. We can remove birds and visible nesting materials from vents, and install a device to deter them from returning. Of course, for upmost safety, it is also highly recommended that you have your dryer vent periodically cleaned of lint and debris by an HVAC professional. Call today to learn more!
Whether it's ants in your kitchen, spiders in your basement, squirrels nesting in your attic, or problems with termites or other common invaders, give us a call: 703-361-6060.
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American Sentry Pest Control, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.