Ontime Termite & Pest Control

Before your appointment, clear counters, move furniture slightly away from walls, secure food and pet dishes, cover fish tanks, and ensure the technician can access areas like garages, attics, and crawl spaces. Your provider will give specific preparation instructions based on the treatment type.

Organic methods such as diatomaceous earth, essential oil repellents, and boric acid can be effective for certain pests. However, they often work more slowly and may not be sufficient for severe infestations. Many Texas companies offer green or low-toxicity options that balance effectiveness with environmental responsibility.

Most pest control companies offer re-treatment guarantees — if pests return between scheduled visits, they will re-treat at no additional charge. This is standard with ongoing service plans. For one-time treatments, ask about the warranty period. Persistent issues may indicate entry points that need sealing or environmental factors that need addressing.

An inactive license means the company has not renewed their TPCL with the Texas Department of Agriculture. This could be due to business closure, failure to meet insurance requirements, or voluntary non-renewal. Companies with inactive licenses cannot legally perform pest control services in Texas.

The TDA issues licenses with specific category codes: P (General Pest Control), T (Termite Treatment), L (Lawn & Landscape), W (Wildlife Removal), C (Crack & Crevice), S (Structural Fumigation), and D (Waste Disposal). Each category authorizes different types of pest management work.

General pest control (Category P) covers common household pests including cockroaches, ants, spiders, silverfish, earwigs, crickets, centipedes, and occasional invaders. Some companies include mosquito and flea treatments in their general service, while others offer these as add-ons.

Texas has three main termite types: Eastern subterranean termites (most common, found statewide), Formosan subterranean termites (aggressive species in Southeast Texas and coastal areas), and drywood termites (found in attics and furniture, mainly in South and Coastal Texas). Each requires different treatment approaches.

Most Texas lawns benefit from quarterly pest applications timed to seasonal pest activity: spring (fire ants, grubs), summer (chinch bugs, mosquitoes), fall (armyworms, fire ants), and winter (pre-emergent applications). Properties with persistent fire ant problems may need more frequent treatment.

For commercial food establishments, monthly service is standard. Residential homes typically need treatment every 2–3 months depending on pest pressure. Gel baits may remain effective for 1–3 months. Your technician will recommend a frequency based on the pest species and level of activity.

The two-step method is most effective: first, broadcast a bait product across your entire yard when ants are actively foraging (mornings or evenings in moderate weather). Then, treat individual mounds directly with a contact insecticide 3–5 days later. Professional treatment is recommended for large properties or persistent infestations.

Termites are found throughout Texas, but subterranean termites are especially active in the eastern and southern regions with higher moisture levels. The Gulf Coast and East Texas have the highest termite pressure, including aggressive Formosan termites. Regardless of location, annual inspections are recommended for all Texas homeowners.

The most common Texas pests include fire ants, cockroaches (American and German), termites (subterranean and Formosan), mosquitoes, scorpions, spiders (brown recluse and black widow), wasps, rodents, bed bugs, and fleas/ticks. The warm climate and diverse geography create ideal conditions for a wide variety of pests year-round.

Modern eco-friendly methods including botanical insecticides, essential oil repellents, diatomaceous earth, and biological controls can be effective for many common pests. They work best as part of an IPM program that emphasizes prevention and monitoring. For severe infestations, conventional products may be needed initially before transitioning to green maintenance.