Glossary
Pest-control terms, in plain English.
- Bait station
- A tamper-resistant device holding insecticidal or rodenticidal bait, placed where pests travel so they carry the active ingredient back to the colony or nest.
- Botanical insecticide
- A product derived from plant compounds, used for lower-toxicity interior treatments — part of our pet- and family-safe options.
- Box elder bug
- A black-and-orange Utah nuisance bug that clusters on warm, sun-facing walls in spring and fall. See our Box Elder Control service. Learn more →
- Crack-and-crevice treatment
- Precise application of product into the gaps where insects hide and travel, minimizing exposure in living areas.
- De-webbing
- Mechanically knocking down spider webs, egg sacs, and wasp nests from a structure — we reach up to three stories.
- Exclusion
- Sealing entry points (gaps, vents, utility penetrations) to physically keep rodents and insects out — the most durable form of control.
- Frass
- Insect droppings or debris (e.g., from cockroaches or carpenter ants); its presence is an early sign of an active infestation.
- Granular insecticide
- Weather-resistant granules broadcast around the foundation and into the yard to control ground-dwelling and perimeter pests.
- Harborage
- A sheltered area where pests rest, hide, or breed (under debris, in wall voids, in clutter); reducing harborage reduces pressure.
- Instar
- A developmental stage between molts in an insect's life cycle; treatment timing often targets vulnerable early instars.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- A science-based approach that combines inspection, exclusion, sanitation, and targeted treatment to control pests with the least necessary chemistry.
- Larvicide
- A product that targets insect larvae before they mature — used for mosquitoes and some fly species at breeding sites.
- Micro-encapsulation
- A formulation that wraps the active ingredient in tiny time-released capsules, extending residual control and reducing odor and exposure.
- Overwintering
- How pests like box elder bugs and rodents survive cold months by sheltering in and around structures — why fall treatment matters.
- Perimeter treatment
- A protective barrier applied around the exterior of a home to intercept pests before they get inside.
- Re-service (re-treatment)
- A return visit at no charge between scheduled treatments if pests reappear — the basis of our satisfaction guarantee.
- Vole
- A small, mouse-like rodent that tunnels through Utah lawns and gardens year-round. See our Rodent Control service. Learn more →