Frequently Asked Questions

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Getting Started

What are some signs you need an exterminator?

Common signs include seeing live pests or droppings, damaged wood, nests, or mud tubes along the foundation. You might also notice bites or stings on family members or pets that don't have an obvious cause. If you're noticing any of these, it's a good time to schedule an inspection.

How should I prepare my home for pest control?

Good news! Not much prep is needed for a general pest control service. Just make sure all rooms are accessible and your crawl space door and gates are unlocked. For more involved services like termite or bed bug treatments, we send a detailed prep sheet after your inspection so you know exactly what to do beforehand.

Do I need to be home for the service?

For your initial visit, including termite estimates and new service starts, yes, we'll need someone to be home. After that, most routine visits don't require you to be present. The good news is, we're open Saturdays and offer appointments six days a week 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., so it's easy to find a time that works with your schedule.

Why is there an initial service fee and what does it cover?

Your first visit includes a full inspection of the interior and exterior of your home, recommendations on any conditions that attract pests, and a complete initial treatment. We will also take some time to go over details about the service and agreement, and answer any questions you may have. For issues like fleas or rodents, it also includes a couple of follow-up visits to fully resolve the problem before moving to regular preventative service. For termites, the initial service is either a full liquid treatment or bait station installation.

How often do I need service?

We return on a recurring basis to inspect and re-treat your home so pest problems stay in the rearview.

Are exterminators worth the money?

We back our service with a satisfaction guarantee. If pests come back, we'll return at no charge to re-treat the area.

Am I locked into a contract with your pest control plans?

Most of our plans run on a one-year agreement. If you move, we're able to let you out of it.

Pricing

What is the average cost of pest control?

Our residential plans start at $34 a month with pricing scaling based on the size of your home and any specific issues you're dealing with.

How much does a termite inspection cost?

Termite inspections are free. If you're buying or selling a home and need a formal Wood Infestation Report, that's a separate service, starting at just $199. Call us for pricing and bundling options.

How much does a termite treatment usually cost?

Pricing depends on the size of your home and the treatment method used. We offer both bait and liquid options and will recommend which is best for you during your inspection. Call us for a quote specific to your home.

How much will it cost to remove bed bugs?

Bed bug treatment cost depends on the severity of the infestation, the size and layout of your home, and whether chemical or heat treatment is the right fit. We'll walk through pricing after an inspection.

What is the average cost to have your yard sprayed for mosquitoes?

Mosquito treatments start at $59 a month, running March through October, with pricing increasing slightly for larger properties.

Termites

What are the signs of a termite infestation?

Keep an eye out for mud tubes along your foundation, discarded wings near windows or doors, wood that sounds hollow when tapped or small holes and blistering on wood surfaces.

What is the most effective termite control method?

We offer two proven methods: liquid treatments that create a protective barrier beneath your foundation, and Sentricon System bait stations placed around your home's perimeter. Both include an annual inspection. Which option is best depends on your home's construction and soil conditions.

Does homeowners insurance cover termites?

No. Termite damage typically isn't covered by standard homeowners insurance. That's exactly why it's so important to stay on top of prevention and catch problems early.

What happens when my termite bond expires? Is it transferable if I sell my home?

Yes, your bond is transferable if you sell your home. When it expires, we offer a discounted re-treatment and can walk you through switching to bait stations if you'd like. Bait station coverage never expires while liquid treatment bonds do.

What is a Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDIR) and do I need one?

We provide these reports for real estate transactions, builders, and current or prospective customers. Our pricing starts at $199 for the inspection and report only. We also have a Bama Bundle that includes the inspection, report, a Sentricon install to start the termite bond, and a free pest inspection and service for general household pests. The Bama Bundle starts at just $275.

Do you handle termite pre-treatment for new construction?

Yes. Most new structures in the area are required to be treated against termites during initial construction, and we've served builders in this capacity for decades.

Other Pests & Services

What is the most effective way to control mosquitoes?

We treat the shaded, shrubby areas where mosquitoes hide during the day and eliminate any standing water on your property where they breed. We also offer an add-on service using In2Care traps, which attract mosquitoes and eliminate them at the source.

What should I do if I see a mouse in my home?

We use a mix of baiting, trapping, and sometimes we will recommend exclusion work - sealing up the spots where rodents are getting in - which is the most effective way to solve the problem long-term.

Can I treat bed bugs myself?

We don't recommend it. Over-the-counter repellents tend to scatter bed bugs into harder-to-reach places like light fixtures, ceiling fans and outlets after DIY attempts. Calling us for treatment the first time keeps them contained to normal spots like couches and beds rather than spreading into your walls.

Do you offer crawlspace encapsulation?

Yes. We install moisture barriers and encapsulations, handle debris removal and treat fungus issues. Encapsulation helps control moisture, improves air quality and helps seal off vents, which also helps prevent fungus, mold and pests like termites that are drawn to damp conditions.

Do you offer boat dock pest control services?

Yes. Our boat dock service focuses on de-webbing and wasp nest removal plus a residual treatment to help keep them from coming back. It runs monthly from March through October and starts at $99 per service. We use treatments approved for the lake environment on all dock services.

Do you treat ants, spiders and cockroaches?

Absolutely! Ants, spiders and cockroaches are some of the most common issues we help with, and they're covered in every one of our plans.

What other pests do you treat around the home?

Beyond ants, spiders and roaches, we also handle fleas, ticks, german roaches, silverfish, earwigs, gnats, wasps, hornets, drain flies and pantry pests like Indian meal moths, and more. Note: we do not treat honeybees or handle wildlife removal.

Will the rain wash the product away?

No. Our treatment isn't applied in a way that washes off with normal rainfall. We use products specifically tailored to your home and Alabama’s seasons.

Are your pest control products safe for children and pets?

Yes. We use EPA-registered products applied according to label guidelines. Our technicians can walk you through any specific precautions for your home during your service.

About Bama

Do you service both homes and businesses in our area?

Yes. We service about an hour's radius from our office, covering areas including Berry to the north, Duncanville and Moundville to the south, Aliceville and Pickensville to the east, and McCalla to the west.

Do you offer after-hours service for businesses?

Yes. We offer some evening availability for businesses after they close, along with early morning appointments and Saturday appointments.

How long has Bama Exterminating been in business, and what makes you different from other pest control companies?

We're a local, family-owned business, started and still owned by the same family since the 1930s. That's nearly a century of deep roots in this community.

How do you handle pests that are common in Alabama?

Alabama's warm, humid climate is a breeding ground for termites, mosquitoes and ants especially. We tailor our treatment plans to match the pest pressure specific to this region and time of year.

Are your technicians licensed and certified?

Bama Exterminating is fully licensed at the company level for both pest control and mosquito control. We're also fully insured with liability and workers' comp coverage so you can feel confident every time we're on your property.

Still have a question?

We would rather answer it than have you guess. Give us a call or request a free estimate and we will walk you through it.

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