Pestgon Inc. - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. As a Commercial Property Manager; What should I do if a tenant or any other person claims to be affected by pesticides on one of our properties?
A. First, contact Pestgon to learn if any pesticides have been used on the property recently. Pestgon will readily give you full documentation of any pesticides used on the property for the past 90 days. That usually proves to be sufficient. (See In Case of Emergency under Resources section).

Q. When request for pest control service is inside the building; Does the tenant have to vacate the premises?
A. No. For the most common service requests it is not necessary. Pestgon uses the "least toxic" products, having little or no odor, and labled for indoor use. Pestgon does not normally charge their clients, on a monthly service contract, for "inside service".

Q. Occasionally a person in an office environment claims they are seeing a phantom pest or that they being bitten by an unseen bugs. What are they?
A. They are sometimes affectionately called "No See-ums." Here are a couple of considerations. Fungus gnats, which are a very tiny flying insect, can be the phantom pest that flashes in front your monitor. Fungus gnats breed in moist and sour conditions. Finding the source is the key to control. Also, there is what is known as the "office itch syndrome," one person claims to feel a bite or an itch and the next person agrees, soon the whole office is itching! Some may complain of "paper mites or cable mites," but that is a myth. There is no known mite that attacks paper or computer cables. However, there may be other considerations requiring a more thorough investigation.
Whats Attacking Me?- Additional Information

Q. Have, so called, "killer bees," (Africanized Honey Bee), been found in San Diego County and the Riverside County area?
A. Definitely, Yes! This makes all swarming bee problems a potential “killer bee” problem. Africanized Honey Bees are very dangerous to pest control technicians and the public alike. For this reason, Pestgon has been specially trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture to safely handle all bee problems. Killer Bees - Additional Information

Q. I have a swarm of bees on the property. What should I do?
A. Public safety is the first priority. If possible cordon off the area with caution tape or construction cones. Also it is recommended to place a sign indicating the danger. It is surprising how many people will walk past a barricade assuming that the barrier doesn't apply to them only to walk head long into a cloud of angry bees. Once these precautions are taken, CALL PESTGON IMMEDIATELY

Q. I've had several bee swarms treated on my property. Why do they keep coming back?
A. Bee swarms are the product of an established hive splitting once they have reached the capacity of their present location. European bees typically divide 2 to 3 times a year. The Africanized bees however, can and do swarm approximately once a MONTH! So one swarm in January could be over 2000 swarms in December! So as you can see the number of bee swarms have increased dramatically. Due to the nature of this insect there are no practical pretreatment methods available.

Q. What causes the "tennis ball" size holes and piles of dirt in the lawns and landscape around our commercial buildings and perimeter embankments?
A. Two major rodent pests are usually the cause. These are gophers and ground squirrels. Gophers leave piles of dirt but the hole is usually closed. Ground squirrels also leave piles of dirt but he hole is always open. Both of these rodents are very destructive to landscapes and can end up causing expensive erosion and structural problems. The professional materials used for control require an Ag. Applicators license.

Q. What is "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM) that we hear so much about?
A. "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM) is a pest control philosophy or method of managing pests, based on the idea of using the least amount of chemical pesticides possible. IPM employs the use of cultural practices, sanitation, exclusion, prevention, baits, traps, etc., and lastly judicious use of chemical pesticides. This environmentally friendly approach to pest management is what Pestgon endeavors to employ on all it's projects.

Q. We see snails on our buildings and windows. What damage do they cause and what can be done to control them?
A. Snails breed in moist conditions so they are most prevalent during the rainy season or where irrigation keeps the soil damp. They are also host specific, so the type of landscape plantings plays a significant role in their presence. Snails secrete a caustic fluid that is very destructive to painted surfaces. They leave a very unsightly mess on buildings. They also leave permanent, nickel size, ring marks etched in to building paint and glass surfaces. Reflective window glass is particularly vulnerable to etching damage from snails. Snails are also very damaging to certain landscape plantings. They are best controlled with agricultural bait requiring an Ag. Applicators license.

Q. Some of our projects have rattlesnake problems, what can be done to stop them?
A. Rattlesnakes are found where there is sufficient cover to hide and a food source. Commercial projects and homes on canyons and next to brushy hillsides are most apt to encounter rattlesnakes. Keeping the brush cleared away for approximately 50 feet is helpful. Also, removing piles of debris that may become a harborage is important. A good rodent control program around buildings is important to eliminate their food source. Pestgon recommends and employs other prevention measures including direct removal.

Q. What can be done about pigeons and seagulls atop our parking lot lights?
A. Pigeons and seagulls, like other nuisance birds are present because of a food source. Usually, it is near a restaurant or food court area where they hang out. In localized areas, eliminating the readily available food is the first step. Exclusion or deterrent methods such as spikes or "Hot Foot", may also be used effectively. Pestgon considers each circumstance separately.