Carpenter ants are larger (1/4 to 1/2 inch), usually black or dark brown, and push sawdust-like frass out of their tunnels. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood — they excavate it for nesting. If you find frass near wood structures, call for an inspection.

Store-bought sprays kill individual ants on contact but can’t reach the colony. The queen continues producing new workers, and survivors simply find new paths around treated areas. Professional baiting targets the entire colony including the queen.

Most ant species are nuisance pests, but carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage over time — similar to termites. Any persistent ant problem warrants a professional inspection to identify the species.

Brown recluses have a distinctive violin-shaped marking on their back, six eyes (instead of the typical eight), and uniform brown coloring. They’re about the size of a quarter including legs. If you suspect brown recluse, don’t try to handle it — call a professional for identification.

The vast majority of spiders in Missouri homes are harmless. Only the brown recluse poses a medical concern in our area. However, a large spider population indicates a significant insect prey population that should also be addressed.

Spiders follow their food — other insects. Reducing insect populations through professional pest control is the most effective way to reduce spider activity indoors. Sealing entry points and reducing outdoor lighting also helps.

Mice can squeeze through any gap the size of a dime — about 1/4 inch. Common entry points include gaps around utility pipes, dryer vents, garage door seals, and where the foundation meets the siding. A professional inspection identifies all vulnerable points.

Yes. Mice and rats transmit diseases through droppings, urine, and contaminated surfaces. They also chew electrical wiring, creating fire hazards, and can trigger asthma and allergies — especially in children.

For a small mouse problem, trapping and sealing entry points can resolve the issue in 1-2 weeks. Larger infestations or rat problems may require 2-4 weeks of professional treatment to ensure the population is eliminated.

Treatment costs vary based on home size, foundation type, and infestation severity. Liquid barrier treatments and bait monitoring systems are the two most common approaches. Call 636-243-0900 for a free inspection and estimate.

In most cases, no. Standard homeowners insurance policies in Missouri do not cover termite damage because it’s considered preventable with regular inspections. This makes early detection and prevention critical.

The National Pest Management Association recommends annual termite inspections, especially in the St. Louis area where subterranean termites are prevalent. Many homes benefit from a monitoring system that provides year-round detection.

Professional barrier treatments typically last 3-4 weeks, depending on weather conditions. Most homeowners on a mosquito program receive treatments every 3 weeks during the active season (May through September).

Yes. Professional mosquito treatments use EPA-registered products applied to vegetation where mosquitoes rest — not directly to lawns or play areas. We recommend staying off treated vegetation until it dries (about 30 minutes).

Eliminate standing water weekly — dump bird baths, check gutters, empty flower pot saucers, and overturn any containers that collect rain. Even a bottle cap of water can breed mosquitoes.

We strongly recommend against DIY wasp nest removal. Disturbing a nest causes the colony to become aggressive, and wasps can sting multiple times. Yellow jacket nests can contain thousands of individuals. Professional removal is the safest approach.

Wasps are most aggressive in late summer and early fall (August-October) when colonies reach peak size and food sources begin to decline. This is when stings are most common and nests are largest.

All are in the wasp family. Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves. Yellow jackets build enclosed nests underground or in wall voids and are the most aggressive. Hornets (bald-faced hornets in Missouri) build large, enclosed paper nests in trees.

Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers. They travel in luggage, on used furniture, in clothing, and even in purses and backpacks. Hotels, movie theaters, offices, and public transportation are all common pickup points. Having bed bugs does NOT mean your home is dirty.

Professional heat treatment raises the temperature throughout the infested area to 130°F+ for several hours, killing all bed bugs and eggs in every hiding spot simultaneously. It’s chemical-free, effective in a single treatment, and reaches places sprays can’t.

Look for: small rust-colored spots on sheets, dark spots along mattress seams, tiny white eggs or shed skins near the bed, and bite marks in rows on exposed skin. A musty, sweet odor in the bedroom can also indicate a significant population.

Cockroaches need three things: food, water, and warmth. Even the cleanest home provides these — tiny crumbs behind appliances, condensation on pipes, and warm wall voids. German cockroaches are especially adapted to indoor living and can arrive via grocery bags, deliveries, or shared walls.

German cockroaches are small (1/2 inch), light brown, and live exclusively indoors — usually in kitchens and bathrooms. American cockroaches are large (1-2 inches), reddish-brown, and typically enter from sewers or exterior areas. German roaches are much harder to eliminate.

A single German cockroach female can produce 300+ offspring per year. One egg case contains 30-40 eggs, and a female can produce 4-8 cases in her lifetime. This is why professional treatment is critical — the population can explode in weeks.

Missouri ticks can transmit Lyme disease (deer ticks), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (American dog ticks), ehrlichiosis (lone star ticks), and Alpha-gal syndrome (lone star ticks), which causes a red meat allergy. All are serious and require medical attention.

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight up with steady, even pressure — don’t twist or jerk. Clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water. Save the tick in a sealed bag for identification if symptoms develop.

Tick activity peaks from April through September, but ticks can be active any time temperatures are above 40°F. In mild Missouri winters, some tick activity continues year-round.

Missouri law has specific regulations about trapping and relocating wildlife. Some species have protected seasons, and bats are protected year-round — they must be excluded humanely, never killed. A licensed wildlife control operator ensures compliance with all regulations.

Professional exclusion is the most effective solution. This involves sealing all entry points with commercial-grade materials (heavy-gauge hardware cloth, metal flashing, and steel mesh) after confirming all animals have been removed. One-way exclusion doors allow animals to leave but not re-enter.

Yes. Raccoons are a primary rabies carrier in Missouri. Their droppings can contain raccoon roundworm, a parasite that’s dangerous to humans. They also cause significant structural damage and can destroy insulation, creating energy efficiency problems.

For most St. Louis homes, quarterly preventive service provides year-round protection. Homes with ongoing pest pressure or wooded lots may benefit from monthly visits during peak season.

Yes. Roberts Pest Control uses EPA-registered products applied according to label directions. Our technicians are trained to place treatments in targeted areas that minimize exposure.

Yes! We offer free inspections for most pest issues. Call 636-243-0900 to schedule yours.

We serve Jefferson County, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, St. Francois County, Ste. Genevieve County, and Washington County in Missouri.

No. Roberts Pest Control does not require long-term contracts. We earn your business with results, not paperwork.