Pest Identification and Information
The Hitmen Termite & Pest Control can inspect your residential or commercial property, advise you about effective treatments, and then get the job done. We'll also set up a regular maintenance schedule if need be to help you control any problems. Our general services include:
- Cockroaches
- Rodent Exclusion and Control
- Ants
- Spiders
- Biting and Stinging Pests
- Termites
- Dry Rot
- Most other pests and conditions
Cockroaches
Damage:
Cockroaches spread human disease by depositing disease organisms on food and utensils. The American cockroach, which comes into contact with human excrement in sewers or with pet droppings, may transmit bacteria that cause Salmonella and Shigella. German cockroaches are believed to be capable of transmitting disease-causing organisms such as Staphylococcus, hepatitis, and coliform bacteria. They also have been implicated in the spread of typhoid and dysentery.
Recent studies have found a strong association between the presence of cockroaches and increases in the severity of asthma symptoms in individuals who are sensitive to cockroach allergens.
Detection & Treatment:
Cockroaches may become pests in homes, restaurants, hospitals, warehouses, offices, and virtually any structure that has food preparation or storage areas. These pests are common even in the cleanest of crowded urban areas and older dwellings. It’s usually not difficult to discover an infestation, because they are often visible. Treatment usually involves sealing cracks and crevices to block entrance; keeping food and trash areas clean to avoid providing food; and the professional application of insecticide and bait on a regular basis.
Rodents
Damage:
Rodents consume and contaminate food. They also gnaw on electrical wires, wooden structures, and tear insulation in walls and ceilings for nesting. Rodents can also transmit disease to humans, pets, and livestock. They have been found to transmit typhus, leptospirosis, trichinosis, and salmonellosis.
Detection & Treatment:
The presence of mice and rats is usually detected by the damage they cause to food and structures, by their droppings, and by their nests. Treatment involves eliminating all entry points and population reduction by trapping and exclusion. Learn more about our Rodent and Small Animal Services.
Ants
Damage:
Ants cause various types of damage, depending upon the variety. Carpenter ants tunnel through wood, destroying structures. Pharaoh ants may transmit serious diseases. A fire ant’s sting is potentially deadly to susceptible individuals, and all ants contaminate the food they infest.
The Argentine Ant is the most common ant that invades homes and businesses. They are attracted to and will feed on both sweets and oils. They have the ability to nest in many areas inside or outside of buildings. Treatments will vary depending on the situation at your property.
Detection & Treatment:
Ants build massive colonies, so their presence is generally detected when you see their nests, or the ants themselves. Treatments involve baiting, insecticide, and sealing off entry to buildings.
Spiders
Except for poisonous spiders, such as the black widow and the brown recluse, spiders are not typically harmful to humans. When it’s important to control spiders, chemical control is used, along with destruction of webs and eggs. Since they feed on insects, measures that control unwanted insects will also reduce spider populations.
Biting and Stinging Pests
Damage:
Bees, wasps and scorpions are dangerous because of their painful and potentially harmful stings.
There are many different Yellow Jackets and Wasps that are bothersome in the North Bay. These pests can nest in walls, ceilings, attics, and various areas outside. Some species are very aggressive especially when nests are disturbed. There are several ways of controlling these pests both in their nests and out in the open.
Our technicians are trained to work with pests' natural habits and biology. Services are designed to minimize the use of pesticides while effectively controlling customer pest problems.
Detection & Treatment:
Professionals with protective gear can remove Wasp nests and beehives. Insecticides are also used. Scorpion problems are usually treated chemically.
Termite Facts
Subterranean termites are extremely destructive. First they build tunnels to wooden structures, and then they burrow into those structures to obtain food. Any wood or cellulose-containing material constitutes termite food, and given time to do so, they’ll eat until nothing is left but a shell. Termites avoid light and air, so they build their colonies where you’re not likely to stumble upon them.
Is it a termite or an ant?
On the off chance you do see them, remember that it’s easy to confuse termites with ants. Fortunately, there are features that distinguish them.
Ants
- narrow waists
- bent antennae
- two sets of wings (one wing is longer than the other)
Termites
- thick waists
- straight beaded antennae
- two sets of wings (same size)
Service Area
Sonoma County, Napa County, Marin County, Solano County, Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, Alameda County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County- Alameda County(510) 452-9536
- Contra Costa County(925) 935-1480
- Marin County(415) 456-6777
- Mendocino County(707) 463-0600
- Napa County(707) 963-1713
- San Francisco(415) 456-6777
- San Mateo County(650) 212-7116
- Santa Clara County(408) 364-1001
- Santa Cruz County(800) 351-2488
- Solano County(707) 427-3000
- Sonoma County(707) 526-6055
Serving the Following Cities and Surrounding Areas:
Alameda, Alamo, Albany, American Canyon, Antioch, Atherton, Belmont, Belvedere, Benicia, Berkeley, Blackhawk, Bolinas, Bodega Bay, Brentwood, Burlingame, Calistoga, Campbell, Castro Valley, Clayton, Cloverdale, Concord, Corte Madera, Cupertino, Daly City, Danville, Discovery Bay, Dublin, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Emerald Hills, Emeryville, Fairfax, Fairfield, Forestville, Foster City, Fremont, Geyserville, Glen Ellen, Graton, Greenbrae, Gualala, Guerneville, Half Moon Bay, Hayward, Healdsburg, Hercules, Hillsborough, Inverness, Jenner, Kentfield, Lafayette, Lagunitas, La Honda, Larkspur, Livermore, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Marshall, Martinez, Menlo Park, Mill Valley, Millbrae, Milpitas, Monte Rio, Moraga, Morgan Hill, Moss Beach, Mountain View, Muir Beach, Napa, Newark, Novato, Oakland, Oakley, Orinda, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Piedmont, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Pope Valley, Redwood City, Richmond, Rodeo, Rohnert Park, Ross, Rutherford, San Anselmo, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Rafael, San Ramon, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Saratoga, Sausalito, Sea Ranch, Sebastopol, Sonoma, St. Helena, Stinson Beach, Suisun City, Sunnyvale, Tiburon, Ukiah, Union City, Vacaville, Vallejo, Walnut Creek, Willits, Windsor, Yountville