Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We use reduced-risk and botanical products wherever possible. Our standard treatment requires children and pets to stay off treated areas until dry — typically 30–60 minutes depending on the product and Florida's humidity. We'll give you specific re-entry times before we start. In 19 years, we've had zero pet or child incidents related to our treatments. If you have specific concerns (sensitive animals, infants, health conditions), tell us when booking and we'll adjust the product selection.

At minimum, quarterly — Florida's subtropical climate means pests are active 12 months a year with no winter die-off. Monthly service is ideal for homes near wooded areas, lakes, or those with heavy cockroach or ant history. After your free inspection, we'll recommend the interval based on your specific home, location, and pest pressure — not what generates the most revenue for us.

For routine quarterly or monthly pest control, no — you stay home while we treat the exterior, and we'll ask you to step out of each room as we treat the interior (5–10 minutes per room). For tent fumigation, you'll need to vacate for 2–3 days. For bed bug heat treatment, 6–8 hours. We give you detailed instructions in advance for any treatment that requires vacancy.

The American cockroach — what Floridians call a "palmetto bug" — is the large, flying cockroach that comes in from outside. These are different from German cockroaches, which are smaller and live inside. Palmetto bugs usually come in through gaps under doors, dryer vents, and utility penetrations. Our exterior perimeter treatment dramatically reduces how many make it inside. Sealing entry points helps even more.

For general pest control, you may see increased pest activity for 1–3 days as treated pests are flushed out — this is normal and means the treatment is working. Roaches and ants are typically eliminated within 5–7 days. Termite bait systems take 60–90 days to fully eliminate a colony as workers carry the bait back. Bed bug heat treatment shows results same-day. Rodent control takes 2–4 weeks depending on population size.

We do not require long-term contracts. Our recurring customers are on a month-to-month basis — cancel anytime with a phone call. No cancellation fees, no questions asked. The only exception is the Sentricon termite bait system, which includes an ongoing annual monitoring component for the warranty to remain valid.

Yes — we assign a consistent technician to your home. They learn your property, your entry points, your seasonal patterns, and your preferences. This leads to better results than rotating crews who have to re-learn your home every visit. If your assigned tech is unavailable, we notify you in advance and introduce the substitute.

Call us and we'll come back at no charge. Our re-treatment guarantee is unconditional — if you're seeing pest activity that concerns you between scheduled visits, we return within 24–48 hours. We'd rather make an extra trip than have a customer unhappy with the results.

Yes — all of our general pest control programs include exterior treatment. Specifically: perimeter spray, fire ant treatment in the yard, and treatment of harborage areas like mulch beds, tree bases, and ornamental plantings near the home. Mosquito control is a separate monthly add-on program that focuses on foliage, shrubbery, and breeding source elimination.

Florida lenders typically require a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) report as part of the home purchase process. This inspection, conducted by a licensed pest company, identifies any active termite activity and previous damage. Shield provides WDO reports — call us for pricing and availability. We also provide pre-purchase general pest inspections that go beyond just termites.