General pest control covers everyday insects and spiders such as ants, roaches, spiders, and silverfish. A good service starts with an inspection, treats the exterior perimeter and entry points, uses targeted baits and crack-and-crevice treatments inside, and recommends fixes for moisture and gaps. Many Atlanta homeowners choose a recurring plan, often quarterly.
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General pest control covers the everyday insects and spiders that find their way into Metro Atlanta homes: ants, cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, earwigs, crickets, millipedes, stinging insects around the eaves, and more. Most companies offer a one-time service for a specific problem and a recurring plan, often quarterly, that focuses on keeping pests outside.
What a typical service includes
- Inspection. A good technician starts by looking, not spraying: around the foundation, under sinks, in the garage, and at doors, windows, and utility penetrations, to find out what pests are present and how they're getting in.
- Exterior perimeter treatment. Many plans focus on a treated band around the foundation and entry points, since stopping pests outside means fewer indoor treatments.
- Targeted interior treatment. Baits, crack-and-crevice applications, and dusts placed where pests hide, rather than broad spraying across floors and furniture.
- Web and nest removal. Sweeping spider webs and wasp nests from eaves, porches, and soffits.
- Recommendations. Notes on moisture, gaps, and conditions that attract pests, so you can fix the cause.
Integrated pest management
Many professionals follow an approach called integrated pest management (IPM). Instead of relying on pesticides alone, IPM combines correct identification, removing food, water, and shelter, sealing entry points, monitoring, and using the least risky effective treatment where it's actually needed. Ask any company you're considering how they approach a problem. Good answers include inspection, identification, and prevention, not just "we spray."
Why Georgia homes need a plan
Georgia's mild winters mean many insects stay active much of the year, and humid summers favor moisture-loving pests. Wooded lots, leaf litter, pine straw, and mulch beds against the house give pests shelter right at the foundation. Older homes with crawlspaces can stay damp underneath, which attracts roaches, ants, and other insects.
What you can do to help
- Keep mulch and pine straw pulled back a few inches from the foundation, and trim shrubs so they don't touch siding.
- Fix leaky faucets, AC condensate lines, and gutters that dump water at the foundation.
- Seal gaps around pipes, cables, and dryer vents, and replace worn door sweeps and weatherstripping.
- Store pantry food, pet food, and birdseed in sealed containers.
- Keep firewood stacked off the ground and away from the house.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is your company licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and can you show proof of insurance?
- What products will you use, and what precautions should my family and pets take?
- What does a recurring plan include, and are callbacks between visits covered?
- Is there a long-term contract, and how do I cancel?
Ready to get pests under control? Request a pest control company and tell us what you're seeing.
Frequently asked questions
How often should my home get pest control service?
Many companies offer quarterly plans for Metro Atlanta homes, with callbacks between visits if pests return. Homes with heavy pressure, such as wooded lots or damp crawlspaces, sometimes need more frequent service.
Will the technician need to spray inside my house?
Not always. Many modern plans focus on the exterior and use targeted baits or crack-and-crevice treatments indoors only where pests are found, rather than broad spraying.
What is integrated pest management?
Integrated pest management, or IPM, combines correct identification, removing food, water, and shelter, sealing entry points, monitoring, and using the least risky effective treatment where it's needed.