Philadelphia pest control, one call away

Philadelphia homes, up close

Much of the older city has combined sewers, and the Water Department's Green City, Clean Waters plan uses rain gardens and other green infrastructure to cut overflows. Trinity houses, three stories with one room per floor and a winding stair, are common in Society Hill, Queen Village and around Rittenhouse Square.

Shared party walls mean a roof, chimney or drain problem next door can show up in your house. Shared walls and old foundations in older buildings give mice and roaches easy paths between units.

Termites are active in this region, and spring swarms are a common sign. Manayunk's houses climb steep hills above the Schuylkill River and the old canal.

Rules and utilities worth knowing

Pest control businesses and applicators in Pennsylvania are licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Renters should report pests to the landlord in writing, since many local codes make treatment the owner's responsibility. Neighbors often share the same pests, so a building-wide or block-wide approach can work better than treating one unit alone.

What usually goes wrong

Here is what Philadelphia callers mention most:

• Droppings or scratching in walls
• Ants in the kitchen
• Bed bug bites or spots on sheets

Before the visit

Take photos of droppings, damage or the pests themselves.

Seal gaps around pipes and doors, keep food in closed containers and fix drips, since most pests come for food, water or shelter.

How we connect you

1. Give us a short description and a good callback number.
2. We look for an available pest control company near Philadelphia and connect you.
3. You and the pro agree on the details before any work starts.