Roach Exterminator in Rio Grande Valley, TX

What happens after I contact ABC?

In some cases, when you contact us, we are able to give you an estimate over the phone. However, in many cases, we prefer to get a first-hand understanding of your roach problem in order to create the most effective treatment plan possible. If an inspection makes the most sense, we will get you on our schedule as soon as possible. During your in-home visit, you can expect one of our pest control specialists to:

• Ask you questions about where you’ve been noticing signs of roaches or spotting roaches
• Assess your property for roach nesting and breeding areas and locating any potential pest entry points
• Determine the species of roach on your property
• Answer any of your questions regarding your pest problem and our treatment protocols

At the end of the inspection, our specialist will present you with an estimate for our recommended next steps. When we receive your approval, we will put your first treatment call on the schedule.

What are some warning signs that might indicate I have a roach infestation?

Although spotting a cockroach is the most obvious indication that you may have a roach problem, these pests are nocturnal and prefer to avoid human interaction. There can always be many more lurking out of sight. Therefore, if you suspect you may have a problem, you may want to also look for other signs of a roach infestation, including:

• A musty smell
• Cockroach droppings, which look like coffee grounds
• Smear marks where roaches commonly travel, such as along walls and floor junctions
• Shed cockroach skins which are about the same size and shape as an adult cockroach
• Long yellow casings, which will contain cockroach eggs

When looking for signs of a roach problem, check in areas that are warm and humid, as this is the preferred environment for these creatures. We recommend looking in and around bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, drains and any other areas of your home near water sources.

Can't I get rid of cockroaches myself?

While there are a variety of cockroach treatment products you can purchase at the store, many of our customers in the Valley find that these interventions have limited results at best, and that handling an infestation can easily turn into a time-consuming, seemingly never-ending task.

Cockroaches are both resilient and prolific breeders with some females laying up to 10,000 eggs in a single year. Additionally, roaches have been around for millions of years and have adapted to survive off nearly any organic matter, so just keeping your home clean may not be enough to control an infestation. To properly reduce your roach population, you need effective products and consistent supervision. A pest specialist is usually your best bet for both of these things.

How often will you treat my property?

While many of our customers hope their roach issues will be resolved in just one or two visits, it can take multiple treatments for us to effectively tackle the problem. When we create your custom treatment plan, we take into account the severity and extent of the infestation, the species of cockroach, and any other unique factors. Typically, the larger the infestation, the more treatments we will have to perform. One of the many benefits of contacting ABC for cockroach control is that we will come out as many times as needed to get your problem under control.

The most effective way to treat a roach problem is to prevent it in the first place. When you take advantage of ABC’s routine pest control services, you can have peace of mind that our highly-trained technicians will regularly come out to apply preventative treatments and notify you of any signs of pest activity before a full-blown infestation develops. Early prevention is key to long-term success in the fight against pests around your home.

What impact do the products you use have on my family and the environment?

As a family-owned and operated business, our top priority at ABC is the well-being of our customers, their families and the environment. When we select our residential pest control products, we only select those created specifically for residential use. Additionally, we only select solutions that we would feel comfortable using in our own homes and yards. As a part of your initial inspection, your cockroach exterminator will calculate the lowest concentration of chemicals to use to be both low-impact and effective. If you have any other questions regarding the products that we use, your technician is always happy to answer them.

What if I still see roaches after a treatment?

Some homeowners may be surprised to learn that it’s actually normal to see a short uptick in roach activity after a service call, particularly towards the start of your treatment program. This is because we have made current nesting areas inhospitable, causing your pests to search for a new place to live. However, as the roaches travel throughout your home, they will unknowingly be bringing the product with them, which will eventually lead to a reduction in the population of roaches. Pest activity anywhere from 7 to 10 days after your initial treatment is considered normal.

However, if you’re still seeing quite a bit of roach activity between 7 to 30 days after your initial treatment, reach out to us. We’re more than happy to send a specialist back to your home to investigate, at no additional cost.

What can I do on my own to prevent roaches?

As part of your custom treatment plan, your ABC specialist will provide you with advice on how to best prevent roaches based on any environmental factors or unique issues that make your home more attractive to these pests. There are some common practices all homeowners can implement to make their property less appealing to roaches.

In general, we recommend:

• Wiping down counters, tables, stovetops and other surfaces after using them
• Regularly sweeping and mopping floors
• Keeping surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens clean
• Clearing dishes and putting them in the dishwasher shortly after use
• Emptying pet food and water bowls before going to bed
• Putting food, including pet food, in tightly sealed containers
• Regularly emptying trash into outdoor bins
• Sealing off potential entry points around drains, windows and doors
• Moving vegetation, such as firewood and compost piles, away from the foundation of your home

Unfortunately, the climate and conditions in the Rio Grande Valley are favorable for high roach activity, so roaches are capable of invading even the cleanest of homes.