FAQs

All of our service technicians are licensed, trained, and receive continuing education from Colonial Pest Control and other industry leaders.

Many services can be scheduled within a few days to a week, though non-emergency treatments during certain peak times of the year may take a few days longer.

The service fees depend on a few factors that will be discussed during your first call to our customer service team. Which pests, which service program you’re interested in, and the size of the home all play a factor to the cost. You can expect a range of service fees starting at $245 for routine maintenance or a single wasp nest, to $545 as a starting fee for one-time mouse or carpenter ant treatments. Termite treatments for your whole home with Sentricon typically start at $1195 for the first year and initial services, with annual extensions at $450. Certain services offer a range of complexities, challenges, and multiple planned return visits which can increase the cost.

The preparation for pest services varies based on the pest and the specific plan. The customer service representative will share details with you. For certain pest services, such as cockroach removal, you will receive a written check list for preparation. Many of our services only require access to treatment areas and a reasonable level of cooperation. We keep it simple, and if we need preparation to deliver the best results, we will let you know in plenty of time prior to the service visit.

Absolutely! Share the peace of mind with pest freedom! Our Gold and Platinum recurring service clients can enjoy $25 off your next service, and your referred friend or family member will receive $25 their first service. No limit up to the total cost of your service.

The health and safety of your family and pets is our utmost responsibly. We take it seriously, and we work to ensure our effective treatments will only impact your family positively. Our trained service technicians apply EPA approved materials minimally to provide adequate pest control while keeping pesticide exposure to a minimum.

Whether or not we ask you to vacate your home depends on the type of service, the level of infestation, and the materials needed to successfully treat the pests. For rodent services, small ants, and inspections, it is rare to need to leave. For liquid applications, ULV/ULD volumetric treatments, or for intensive pest control work, you may be asked to leave for a period of time until it is safe to re-enter. Communication along every step of the way is critical to the success of the treatment and the relationship.

We are proud to offer our referral credit to both our clients who refer their friends or family as well as the referred new client. We are currently offering $25 off our client’s next regular recurring service and $25 off the referred clients’s first service.

All of our service technicians are licensed and insured. They go through an extensive training program when they start with us, and their education continues through our in-house programs, mentorship programs, and professional development from industry leaders.

Our Gold Plan includes two professional exterior treatments per year, scheduled at the most effective times during peak pest season. We treat the foundation, under decks, behind shutters, around accessible doors and windows, eaves, rooflines, and other key entry points with long-lasting products. This creates a protective barrier against common household pests such as ants, mice, spiders, wasps, crickets, and more, plus unlimited free callbacks for covered issues.

Preventative maintenance delivers proactive, year-round protection that keeps pests from entering your home in the first place. With only two well-timed exterior visits annually, you avoid the inconvenience and higher costs of repeated emergency calls while minimizing pesticide use inside your living spaces. It provides reliable peace of mind, protects your family’s comfort and your home’s value, and includes free follow-up service for covered pests.

The Gold Plan offers comprehensive semi-annual exterior protection focused on your home’s structure and perimeter for a wide range of household pests. The Platinum Plan includes everything in the Gold Plan plus dedicated tick control and prevention treatments across your property, targeting areas where ticks live and breed. Platinum provides enhanced protection against ticks and tick-borne illnesses and is currently available in Massachusetts.

Homeowners in MA and NH most frequently deal with carpenter ants, ticks, mice, mosquitoes, and wasps. New England’s wooded lots, older homes, and distinct seasons create ideal conditions for these pests. Early recognition of signs like sebum stains, droppings, frass, or bites helps prevent bigger problems.

Carpenter ants are large (up to ½ inch), shiny black or reddish, and push out coarse sawdust-like frass while nesting in damp wood. Termites eat wood and often leave mud tubes. Carpenter ants cause more structural issues in most New England homes than termites. A professional inspection confirms the pest and extent of any damage.

Watch for small rice-sized dark droppings, gnaw marks on wires or wood, grease trails along baseboards and wires, and scratching in attics or walls, especially at dawn and dusk. Mice and rats move indoors in fall and winter seeking warmth and food. They stay there all year if things get comfortable. Quick and reliable action protects your property and reduces health risks from droppings, urine, and allergens.

Blacklegged (deer) ticks are a major concern across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. They are the primary spreaders of Lyme disease and can also carry anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Lone-star ticks are another notable tick transmitting disease that can lead to allergies from red meat and dairy. American dog ticks and brown dog ticks are some other frequently identified ticks in our area. Ticks are active from early spring through late fall. Reducing habitat around your yard combined with professional perimeter treatments offers strong protection for families.

Effective tick control uses habitat changes—keeping grass short, clearing leaf litter, and moving wood piles away from the house—plus targeted professional perimeter treatments. Spring and fall applications with products suited to local conditions provide season-long results. This integrated method works well for homes with children and pets.

DIY products can manage very light issues but usually fail against established carpenter ant colonies, hidden rodent activity, or widespread ticks. Licensed professionals bring proper training, targeted products, equipment, and guarantees. For reliable results and safety in MA and NH homes, professional service is the better long-term choice.

Although quarterly service plans are popular, semi-annual treatment with the right materials and delivered with the proper technique will provide lasting coverage all pest-season long. Expertly executed semi-annual services address shifting seasonal threats: spring ants, summer ticks and wasps, and fall/winter rodents. The right frequency depends on your property, location, and history. Colonial customer service representatives and pest control operators will advise on the best course of action to protect your home and family.

Yes. Licensed technicians in Massachusetts and New Hampshire use EPA-registered products applied according to strict label instructions. Most treatments are low-odor and safe for re-entry once dry (typically a few hours). Inform the technician about children, pets, or sensitivities so they can adjust the approach.

For exterior treatments, it is best to allow as much access to the perimeter of your home’s structure. Reduce any leaf litter, maintain a well-manicured lawn, and minimize any harborage areas such as wood piles and excess storage. If interior treatment is required, you may be asked to clear access to baseboards, attics, and entry points. Move pet food bowls and toys out of treated areas, and cover or remove bird cages and fish tanks. You can often stay home during service. Liquid insecticide treatments may require you to vacate the home – or at least the treatment areas- until the materials have dried for safe re-entry. Customer service representatives will offer initial guidance prior to your site visit. Following the technician’s specific instructions helps the treatment reach problem areas safely and effectively.

Many providers follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that emphasize prevention and targeted applications over broad spraying. Some offer reduced-impact or eco-preferred programs. Discuss your priorities for family safety and the environment during the inspection for a customized plan that fits your home. A simple change in material choice or target treatment area can make an impactful difference towards the safety and efficacy of your pest control service.