Find the pest the caller describes, ask the questions, and follow the call flow to the right offer.
Nothing matches. Try another word, or ask your branch manager.
Mice
“I’m seeing mice, droppings or gnaw marks, and I hear scratching in the walls or attic.”
Ask the customer
- Are they seeing mice inside the home, outside, or both?
- Where have they found evidence: droppings, gnaw marks, nests?
- How long have they had the issue?
- Have they had professional pest control for this before?
Call flow
- Offer the General Pest Plan. It includes rodent bait boxes and a year-round warranty.
- If activity sounds significant (multiple areas, heavy droppings, signs of nesting), schedule a rodent inspection instead.
- The inspection leads to trapping, baiting and/or exclusion, as needed.
- Quote and scope of work are given at the end of the inspection.
Voles
Small mounds, surface runways or chewed plants in the lawn or garden beds. Often mistaken for gophers.
Ask the customer
- Where is the activity: lawn, garden beds, or a larger area?
- What are they noticing: small mounds, surface runways, chewed plants?
- How long has this been an issue?
- Have they tried removal themselves, or used a company before?
Call flow
- Voles are handled with ongoing baiting, temporary trapping or a one-time gas treatment.
- Offer a phone consult. The inspector can call the customer and often quote over the phone. If they want someone to look first, schedule an on-site inspection.
Gophers
“There are mounds or tunnels tearing up my lawn or garden.”
Ask the customer
- Where is the activity: front yard, backyard, garden beds, or a larger property?
- Roughly how many mounds, or how big is the area?
- How long has this been an issue?
- Have they tried removal themselves, or used a company before?
Call flow
- Gopher control is a trapping program or a gas program. There is no ongoing maintenance plan.
- Offer a phone consult. The inspector can call the customer and often quote over the phone. If they want someone to look first, schedule an on-site inspection.
Other Wildlife
Squirrels, raccoons, bats, birds and similar: noises in the attic or walls, animals in the yard, chimney, crawlspace or garage.
Ask the customer
- What animal have they seen or heard, or what signs are they noticing?
- Where is the activity: attic, walls, chimney, crawlspace, yard?
- How long has this been going on?
- Have they used a pest or wildlife company for this before?
- Are they a current or former customer? (checks eligibility for the inspection promo)
Call flow
- Wildlife calls are inspection first. Schedule a wildlife inspection.
- The technician checks species, entry points and activity on site.
- Offer trapping, baiting and/or exclusion based on findings.
- Quote and scope of work are given at the end of the inspection.
Snakes
A snake in the yard, garage or house: a one-time sighting or an ongoing problem.
Ask the customer
- Where is the snake now, or where have they been seeing it?
- Is this a one-time sighting or a repeat problem?
- How long has this been going on?
- What’s the address? (needed for distance pricing)
Call flow
- One-time snake removal is $300.
- For ongoing activity, offer the snake trapping program: $500 for 7 days of trap setting and checks.
- Both prices can increase with distance from the shop.
Bed Bugs
Bites, live bugs, shed skins or dark stains on bedding, in one room or spreading through the home.
Ask the customer
- Have they seen bed bugs, bites or other signs (stains, shed skins)?
- Where: one room, several rooms, or the whole home?
- How long has this been going on?
- Have they had bed bug treatment before?
Call flow
- Every bed bug job is inspected before quoting. Schedule an inspection.
- Preventative: a monthly subscription with a treatment every 90 days. Curative: for an active infestation.
- Curative is inspected first, and cost is not discussed over the phone.
German Cockroaches
Heavy roach activity in kitchens, bathrooms or apartments.
Ask the customer
- Where are they seeing activity: kitchen, bathroom, elsewhere?
- How long has this been an issue?
- Have they had cockroach treatment before?
Call flow
- German cockroach cleanouts are inspected before pricing.
- The cleanout is a package: an initial treatment plus 4 follow-ups, 14 days apart.
- Always recommend the General Pest Plan once the cockroach service is done.
General Pests
Ants, spiders, wasps and bees, and other common household or yard insects.
Ask the customer
- What are they seeing, and where (kitchen, yard, eaves)?
- Indoors, outdoors, or both?
- How long has this been an issue?
- Have they had pest control for this before?
Call flow
- Offer the General Pest Plan. Recurring treatment covers common insects, with a year-round warranty.
- For an active wasp or bee nest, a heavy infestation, or a spider problem beyond routine treatment, schedule a technician visit for targeted treatment.
FAQ
What to say when a customer pushes back or asks a common question.
“I still see bugs. Did the treatment even work?”
Treatments work over days, not instantly, and eggs can keep hatching after the visit, so some activity right after service is expected. If it’s still heavy after 1–2 weeks, or pests come back between visits, the year-round warranty covers a re-treatment at no charge.
“I’m seeing MORE bugs since you sprayed. Did it make it worse?”
That’s normal and temporary. Most products flush pests out of hiding as they take effect, so a short uptick right after service doesn’t mean it failed. It should taper off within a few days.
“I only want a one-time treatment. I don’t want anything ongoing.”
One-time visits are available, but they don’t include the year-round warranty that comes with the General Pest Plan, so a return trip for the same problem is billed separately. The plan covers re-treatments between visits for one price. Confirm current one-time pricing with your manager before quoting.
“Why do I need ongoing service if I’m not seeing bugs?”
The General Pest Plan is a preventative barrier. Regular treatments keep pests from getting established, which is easier and cheaper than treating an infestation later.
“Is the treatment safe for my kids and pets?”
Yes. We use EPA-registered products applied by label directions. Keep kids and pets off treated areas until the product has dried, usually a couple of hours; the technician will tell them before leaving.
“Do I need to be home, or leave during treatment?”
No need to leave. Inside access helps for some services, but most outside treatments don’t need anyone home. Note any gate code or dog when scheduling.
Send corrections or additions to your branch manager.