Perimeter Pest Protection Program

In today's world, our schedules are so demanding that we don't have time to worry about pests in and around our homes. But when that need arises, you can trust your Blue Diamond Pest Services professional will be able to answer any questions you may have.

There are three steps in our customized residential pest control plan:

1. Inspection

Your Blue Diamond Pest Services Professional will perform a complete interior and exterior inspection of your home to identify existing pest problems, conditions conducive to pest infestation, and entry points for pests. Based on the results of this inspection, a customized treatment plan will be developed.

2. Treatment

Your Blue Diamond Pest Services Professional will utilize the latest industry-standard pest management techniques, with an emphasis on environmentally-friendly, non-chemical control whenever possible. Pesticides are used only when necessary, and organic pesticides are used whenever possible.

3. Perimeter Protection Plan

In the great majority of cases, once any initial pest problems have been solved, ongoing pest management can be accomplished entirely from outside a home. We will return on a regular basis to provide an exterior treatment of your home to prevent pests from re-entering your home. You won't even have to be home, so your schedule remains your own. (If pests do return inside your home, however, then we will schedule a return visit to correct the problem at no additional charge.)

What Does an Exterior Service Consist Of?

• Blue Diamond Pest Services will do a walk-through inspection of your property and recommend any changes you may need to make to help prevent insects or rodents from becoming established.
• We will remove cobwebs around all windows, doorways and eaves (lower level only).
• We will apply liquid or granular insecticides only as needed to control pests.
• For a small additional fee, we will also monitor for termites, and will let you know if you need a termite treatment.
• All services will be provided on the exterior of your home.
• If interior services are needed, we will schedule an additional service call at no additional charge and correct any additional service concerns you may have.

Household Perimeter Pests and their Control

"Perimeter pests" or "occasional invaders" are catch-all names for the various insects and other critters who occasionally wander into homes from the outside. Here are a few of the perimeter pests most commonly found in the Fort Worth area.

Sowbugs and Pillbugs

Sowbugs and pillbugs are not really "bugs." They're not even insects, in fact. They're crustaceans. They require a very high moisture level and breathe through gill-like structures. They're commonly found (often already dead) in basements and along the insides of exterior walls.

Control of sowbugs and pillbugs is mainly accomplished non-chemically, by cleaning up decaying organic matter and correcting excessive moisture situations. In some cases, exterior treatment with insecticides can help reduce entry of pillbugs and sowbugs into homes, but in most cases it is unnecessary.

Centipedes and Millipedes

Like sowbugs and pillbugs, centipedes and millipedes are not insects. There are many species of these creatures. Some require high moisture levels, but others are comfortable in dry areas. Most centipedes and millipedes are harmless, but a few species can inflict stings.

Control of centipedes and millipedes is primarily non-chemical, consisting of debris removal, correction of moisture problems, or exclusion. In some cases, insecticide treatment can be helpful as an adjunct to non-chemical control in cases of serious infestations.

Earwigs

Earwigs are small insects who survive primarily as scavengers who eat dead plant and animal matter. Despite their scary appearance and prominent pincers are their abdomens, they are harmless.

Earwig control is accomplished primarily through non-chemical means, especially cleaning up organic matter and correcting moisture problems. Exterior insecticide treatments may be used as an adjunct and to quickly reduce populations in serious cases.

Silverfish and Firebrats

Together known as "bristletails," silverfish and firebrats can be very difficult to exterminate once they enter a building. Silverfish prefer moist environments such as damp basements, pipe chases, and water-damaged wood. Firebrats prefer dry, hot environments such as furnace rooms and dry attics in the summer.

Control of silverfish or firebrats can be difficult. Control may involve non-chemical methods as well as treatment with desiccants, residual insecticides, and sticky traps. Sometimes treatment can be accomplished completely on the exterior of a home, especially when the insects are harboring under exterior siding.

Crickets

There are many species of crickets, almost all of which are primarily nocturnal and prefer dark, secluded environments. Generally speaking, they only become a problem when they enter homes, often taking up residence under decks, in crawl spaces, and in basements.

Treatment typically involves the use of sticky traps to rapidly reduce populations, and the use of interior and/or exterior insecticides or baits to maintain control. Granular baits containing boric acid are often very effective against crickets, but each situation is different.

Ticks

Ticks are parasitic arachnids who feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals.

Some tick species, such as the deer tick (shown on the right), have been implicated in the transmission of serious diseases. Deer ticks are known to transmit Lyme disease, while other ticks have been implemented in the transmission of human granulocytic and monocytic ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, relapsing fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, Q fever, and tick paralysis.

Control measures for ticks are highly individual based on the tick specie and the environmental factors accompanying a particular infestation.