Pest control in St. George
St. George's desert setting brings pests that northern Utah rarely sees, and heat drives many of them indoors looking for water and shade.
Utah's licensing
In Utah, anyone applying pesticides commercially must hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the Department of Agriculture and Food and work for a business that holds a Commercial Pesticide Business License. Ask the company for both license numbers, and make sure the technician who comes to your home is the one holding the applicator license.
Heat and desert pests
A reading of 117°F at the St. George cooperative weather station on July 10, 2021 tied Utah's all-time maximum temperature record. In extreme heat, scorpions, ants, roaches and spiders look for cooler, damp places, and that often means inside: under sinks, in bathrooms, in garages and in wall voids. If you find scorpions, look at where they hide: in rock landscaping, woodpiles, block walls and under debris, and they can slip through very small gaps. Sealing gaps under doors, around pipes and at weep holes reduces how many get in. Ask the company what it recommends beyond spraying.
Termites and soil
The Utah Geological Survey's hazard maps for the St. George–Hurricane area cover expansive soil, collapsible soil and gypsiferous soil, all of which can crack slabs. Subterranean termites can enter through cracks in a slab or along plumbing penetrations. If you see mud tubes on foundation walls or in the garage, ask for an inspection. Ask what kind of termite treatment the company uses and what the contract covers if termites return.
Irrigation
Drip lines and sprinklers create damp spots that draw ants, roaches and earwigs. Keep irrigation off the foundation and fix leaks.
Rodents and birds
Pack rats and roof rats look for shelter in garages, attics and engine compartments, and they chew wiring. Pigeons nest under solar panels and on tile roofs. Exclusion, closing the gaps and openings they use, works better over time than poison alone. Ask whether the company seals entry points, installs screening under solar panels, and how it handles carcasses if bait is used.
Safety
Ask what products will be used, where and why, and get the names in writing. Mention children, pets and anyone with breathing problems before any treatment. Ask how long to stay off treated areas.
Service plans
Many companies sell quarterly or monthly plans. Ask what each visit includes, whether callbacks between visits are free, and how to cancel. For scorpions, ask what results to expect; they're hard to eliminate entirely, and honest companies will say so.