Pest control FAQ

We use EPA-registered products approved for residential use. We walk you through what was applied during every visit.

Most visits take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on property size and whether interior access is needed. Your technician can give a more specific estimate when they arrive.

For exterior-only treatments, nothing is required. For interior treatment, clear items away from baseboards, under sinks, and behind appliances in affected areas. We send specific prep instructions when you schedule.

For most treatments, no. We'll let you know in advance if any part of the visit requires you to vacate temporarily.

We aim for consistency. RIDD tries to send the same technician on your repeat visits so your service history doesn't reset and the tech already knows the property.

German roaches are small, about half an inch, tan to brown with two dark stripes running from behind the head. Look near heat and moisture: under the stove, inside cabinet hinges, behind the refrigerator. Seeing them during the day means the infestation is established. They're not the same as the large outdoor cockroach that occasionally wanders inside.

Carpenter ants are larger, up to half an inch, typically black or black with red segments, appearing near moisture-damaged wood. They hollow out wood to nest; they don't eat it. Regular house ants are smaller and more likely trailing a food source. Both are covered under RIDD's general pest plan.

Moles push up volcano-shaped mounds and create raised tunnel ridges just under the turf. Voles leave shallow, open runways at ground level and gnaw on plant roots and stems. Both are active in Metro Detroit yards. RIDD treats both. If you're not sure which you have, we'll identify it on the first visit.

Mouse droppings are rice-grain sized. Rat droppings are larger, roughly the size of a raisin. Mice enter through gaps as small as a dime; rats need a larger opening. Scratching sounds in walls or ceilings at night typically indicate rodent activity.

Mosquito bites appear on exposed skin within minutes of being outside, usually as a raised welt. Flea bites cluster around the ankles and lower legs, especially if you have pets. Tick bites are often painless. You find the tick attached, usually after several hours outdoors. Regular yard biting from any of the three is worth treating.

RIDD does not offer termite control in the Detroit market. Signs of termites include mud tubes along the foundation, discarded wings near windows or doors, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. If you suspect termites, contact a licensed termite specialist.