The raccoon has a distinctive shaggy, grayish-brown fur, unique black “bandit” faced mask, and black-and-white ringed bushy tail. It is omnivorous, feeding upon fish, frogs, small mammals, birds and their eggs, mollusks, crustaceans, fruits, nuts, small grains in storage and fields and certain vegetables such as corn.

The long slender toes (”fingers”) on its front feet are used with great dexterity in grasping small objects and searching for food, while the large surfaces of its hind feet allow it to balance easily on its feet. The single litter per year, in the spring, varies from two to eight. The gestation period is 60 to 70 days. After about 10 weeks the newborns emerge from their nest. Raccoons are nocturnal and seldom move around in daylight.

Even though they are normally easily frightened, they can be fierce fighters when cornered. Raccoons are very inquisitive and, on rare occasions, will gain access into attics, basements or crawl spaces beneath houses.

One of the most common problems is their turning over garbage cans and scattering the contents in search of food.

Treatment
We will set traps and remove the problem animal(s).

Precautions
Do not confront any problem animals. They may be sick or aggressive.

What to Expect
After the trapping process we can/may put a temporary patch over the access hole (if possible).

The termite’s diet consists of wood and other cellulose materials. The termite problem developed in the 1930s, and was partially due to the modern system of central heating with which provides the warmth of summer throughout the year and enables the termites to feed without pause.

Termites live in colonies, are social insects, and divide their work among specialized members. People often confuse termites with ants because of their similar social life. As a rule, termites avoid light and seek narrow cracks and crevices.

Treatments
We may drill 1/2″ holes in the areas where termite damage has been found. After the product is injected into the soil the holes are sealed (cemented). Next to the outside foundation, we may dig a trench approximately 6″ deep and 6″ wide, apply product, and backfill the trench with the clean soil.

“SENTRY” Termite Detection System
The “Sentry” termite detection consists of monitors that are placed in the ground and are spaced at intervals of about 8′ apart around the outside perimeter of your home. The monitor contains a piece of loblolly pine. On a quarterly basis we return to inspect the system. If we find that termites are eating the pine we remove that monitor and replace it with one that contains termite bait. The termites eat the bait and go back to feed the colony. They dispense the bait to other termites, this process eventually eradicates the colony.

Call us for details about our “free” installation of the “Sentry” Termite Detection System

Precautions
Do not come in contact with the products while we are working. We will be using a no-odor product. It is not necessary for you to leave during the treatment unless someone has a heart, respiratory problem, or is pregnant. Please do not disturb the “Sentry” monitors once placed around the perimeter.

What to Expect
This should be a one-time treatment. The products we will use have been field tested and found to be effective for in the soil from five to over twenty years. The monitoring of the “Sentry” system is an ongoing inspection process. The “Sentry” system should be monitored at least once each quarter.

Squirrels have two to seven young per litter and one or two litters per year, depending on the species. Squirrel diets vary by species and are determined by their habitat and season of the year. They do not hibernate but tend to store great quantities of food for the winter months.

Treatment
We will set traps and remove the problem animal(s).

Precautions
Do not confront any problem animals. They may be sick or aggressive.

What to Expect
After the trapping process we can/may put a temporary patch over the access hole (if possible).

Treatment
Either a general spray or crack and crevice treatment or both may be used. We will inspect your home for any signs of a nesting area. If a nesting area has been discovered/found we will treat it accordingly. In addition, we may apply products to the baseboard areas in all the rooms as well as treating around doors, windows and any points of access. Additionally, we will apply products around the outside perimeter and apply a residual product (dust) under the shingles to prevent spiders or other crawling insects from entering through this area.

Precautions
People and pets should not come in contact with the products while the area is wet. Please allow a minimum of four hours drying time. If anyone is pregnant or has a heart or respiratory problem it is advisable for them to leave the premises during the drying time.

What to Expect
You should see an immediate reduction in the number of spiders sighted. You MUST give the products twenty-one days to become fully effective. After twenty-one days if you are still having a problem please do not hesitate to contact us. During this twenty-one day period if you are seeing spiders try to observe where they are coming from or going to and report this to us.

A nocturnal animal, skunks are most commonly known for their scent glands, which can eject a potent liquid for 6 to 10 ft. More often than any other species of wild carnivore, skunks are implicated in human exposure to rabies through bites.

The omnivorous diet of skunks comprises grubs and adult insects of various species, small rodents, snakes, frogs, carrion, fruit, berries, mushrooms, bird eggs, nestlings and garbage, if available.

Their dens are most often enlargements of burrows of other animals. When no natural sites are available, they may establish their dens beneath a house or other building if they can gain access. Some skunks are good climbers may therefore be capable of entering open unscreened windows of a house.

Treatment
We will set traps and remove the problem animal(s).

Precautions
Do not confront any problem animals. They may be sick or aggressive and possibly be rabid.

What to Expect
After the trapping process we can/may put a temporary patch over the access hole (if possible).

Silverfish are among the most primitive of all insects and evolved before the cockroach. These insects have a distinct carrot-shaped form, long and slender, broad at the fore end, and gradually tapering to the rear. Superficially, they have a fish-like appearance and hence the name silverfish. They are wingless and characteristically scale-covered. Silverfish are long-lived insects, capable of living for several years. They love dark and avoid direct sunlight.

Eggs are often laid singly or in pairs. The female may lay from one to three eggs per day; they may be laid in crevices or under objects. Adult’s lay an average of 100 eggs; the majority live about two years. They are often entrapped in the smooth bowl of the washbasin or in the bathtub and can be observed most often in the bathroom because there is wood molding for them to hide behind.

Treatment
Either a general spray or crack and crevice treatment, in some cases both.

Precautions
People and pets should not come in contact with the products while wet. Please allow a minimum of four hours drying time. If anyone is pregnant or has a heart or respiratory problem, it is advisable for them to leave the premises during the drying time.

What to Expect
You should see an immediate reduction in the number of silverfish sighted. You MUST give the chemicals twenty-one days to become fully effective. After twenty-one days if you are still having a problem please do not hesitate to contact us. During this twenty-one day period if you are seeing silverfish try to observe where they are coming from or going to and report this to us.

The cockroach has long powerful legs and can run very fast. Long antennae on the head are used for feeling in dark places. Most species have two pairs of wings that are larger in the males. The female cockroach carries her eggs in a leathery capsule called an ootheca that protrudes from the rear of the abdomen. Females of some common species lay 16 to 45 eggs at a time. The eggs take from 4 to 12 weeks to hatch. After the female deposits an egg case, soft white young called nymphs emerge. After exposure to air, the nymphs harden and turn brown.

Treatment
We will apply products in all kitchen cabinet areas, backsplash areas, under sinks (kitchen and baths), as well as the baseboard areas in all rooms. This treatment is commonly called either a general spray or crack & crevice treatment. Most times both types of treatments are used.

Precautions
People and pets should not come in contact with the treated areas while the products are wet. Allow four (4) hours for the chemicals to dry. Plan on leaving your unit/house for this drying period. Wash all food preparation and storage surfaces with mild soap & water prior to preparing foods or storing dishes, pots, and pans. You may want to use new contact paper in the cabinets.

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT OCCUPANTS OF THE
DWELLING LEAVE THE PREMISES DURING ANY TREATMENTS.

What to Expect
You should see an immediate reduction in the number of roaches sighted. You must allow the chemicals 15 days to become fully effective. After this period if you are still experiencing a problem please give us a call, we may have to schedule a re-treat.

The war between man and rats is unrelenting since the victories achieved are of a temporary nature, only very rarely resulting in a long-lasting reduction of rat populations. Rats attack animals, and are also responsible for damage in the home and warehouse. They gnaw upholstery, bolts of silk, papers, books, and like materials for nesting material. They gnaw hard substances. The mere presence of rats reduces the rental value of apartments and stores.

Rats convey and spread diseases. They are primarily responsible for animal epidemics and for the transport of infections over wide distances. Rats are nocturnal, but hungry rats may feed during the day. One of the favorite nesting places for rats in buildings is the closed space under the ground floor of buildings.

The life span of a rat is between three and five years, but the adult females usually live longer than the adult males. Rats are capable of breeding every month of the year. Reproduction reaches peak about May and then again in September. The number of young in a litter and the number of litters per year are dependent on the food supply and other factors. The young depend on their mother for food for about three weeks and then feed on solid food.

Rats have poor vision, but other senses are keenly developed. Their frequent sniffing movements tell them much about their surroundings through odors received. They are frightened by unusual sounds, but they become used to ordinary noise.

Treatment
We inspect for access holes and nesting sites. We will place either bait stations or bait packs containing a product throughout the basement area. Also in key areas of the house, such as under the kitchen sink, behind the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, attic areas or other areas where droppings have been found or rats have been sighted or heard gnawing. To expedite matters we may use traps or glue boards.

Precautions
People and pets should not come in contact with or eat the bait. If someone touches the bait make sure that they wash their hands with soap and water. If the bait is ingested, call your local poison center immediately. Have the packet or bait station with label handy. E.P.A. information on these items will be needed by the center.

What to Expect
You must give the bait ten days to become fully effective. After this period sweep up all droppings. If within seven additional days new droppings are found or if you still are seeing/hearing rats please call us. We may have to place additional bait.

A small scampering creature, the mouse relies on its senses of smell and hearing rather than sight to find its way around. It uses its nose to track food and to follow scent paths. Its hearing is particularly attuned to high tones. The most commonly known of the mice is the house mouse. It grows to about 8 inches long from nose to the tip of the tail. Its naked, scaly tail is about half of its body length. Its fur is brown or gray. Two mice can produce up to 16,000 droppings in a six month period.

Treatment
We inspect for access holes and nesting sites. We will place either bait stations or bait packs containing a poison bait throughout the basement area. Also in key areas of the house, such as under the kitchen sink, behind the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher or other areas where droppings have been found or mice have been sighted or heard gnawing.

Precautions
People and pets should not come in contact with or eat the bait. If someone touches the bait make sure that they wash their hands with soap and water. If the bait is ingested, call your local poison center immediately. Have the packet or bait station with label handy. E.P.A. information on these items will be needed.

What to Expect
You must give the bait 10 days to become fully effective. After this period sweep up all droppings. If within seven (7) additional days new droppings are found or if you are still seeing/hearing mice please call us. We may need to replenish the bait.

The guarantee for mouse services in Massachusetts is six months.

Fleas have no wings, but their long, froglike hind legs make them wonderful jumpers. The head has a long, sharp sucking beak that the insect uses for puncturing skin and sucking blood.

The eggs of the female flea become scattered in places where animals sleep and in rugs and carpets. The larva, or young, are wormlike and have biting mouthparts. They live in animal tissues and waste. Fleas infest rats, dogs, cats, hogs, rabbits, pigeons and poultry.

Treatment

We will chemically treat all flooring areas throughout your home/unit, including the basement. We will be using two chemicals. The main chemical will kill the adult fleas. The secondary chemical is a birth control regulator.

Pets should be scheduled for a flea treatment, or dip, to coincide with our chemical application.

Precautions

People and pets should not come in contact with the treated areas until the chemicals are completely dry, visually and to the touch. You should plan on staying out of the house (treated areas) for a minimum of four (4) hours.

The Hard Part

On a daily basis for a two (2) weeks period it is absolutely necessary for you to vacuum carpeted areas, dry mop and/or sweep all other floored areas. The more vacuuming, dry mopping and sweeping that you do the more eggs that you will get out of these areas and the less chance of a re-infestation.

What to Expect

It is normal to see a few fleas during this two week period. You must give the chemicals two (2) weeks to become fully effective. If after this period you are still experiencing a problem please give us a call, we may may have to re-treat the problem area(s).