How can I tell if I have bed bugs or fleas?

• <div>When you’re <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-kill-fleas-carpet.htm">checking for bed bugs in your home</a>, start by searching for the telltale signs rather than the insects themselves, as they tend to stay hidden during the day. Here are the key signs of a bed bug infestation:<ul><li>Rust-colored or reddish stains on mattresses and bed sheets</li><li>Dark spots on fabric</li><li>Shed skins</li><li>Fecal matter (looks like black spots)</li></ul>As for fleas, you can typically spot them on your pet. If you notice them scratching themselves excessively, look for bites and bugs on their skin and fur.</div>

What can you put around your house to keep raccoons away?

• <div>Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:<ul><li>Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting. </li><li>Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close. </li><li>Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.</li><li>Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.</li><li>Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.</li></ul></div>

How do I permanently get rid of skunks?

• <div>The best way to permanently get rid of skunks is by setting up deterrents around your property to keep skunks out. Get rid of skunks permanently by:<ul><li>Not leaving food or water outside</li><li>Installing a motion-sensor sprinkler system</li><li>Installing fencing that’s at least 3 feet high and a foot deep</li><li>Adding motion-sensor lights in the yard</li><li>Cleaning up brush, sticks, woodpiles, and leaves on your property so skunks can’t use the materials for a nest</li><li>Seal up cracks and holes around your property to prevent skunks from building a den</li><li>Placing fresh lemon peels around the perimeter of your home</li></ul></div>

Best pest control specialists near Defiance, IA

Q: How can I tell if I have bed bugs or fleas?

• <div>When you&rsquo;re <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-kill-fleas-carpet.htm">checking for bed bugs in your home</a>, start by searching for the telltale signs rather than the insects themselves, as they tend to stay hidden during the day. Here are the key signs of a bed bug infestation:<ul><li>Rust-colored or reddish stains on mattresses and bed sheets</li><li>Dark spots on fabric</li><li>Shed skins</li><li>Fecal matter (looks like black spots)</li></ul>As for fleas, you can typically spot them on your pet. If you notice them scratching themselves excessively, look for bites and bugs on their skin and fur.</div>

Q: What attracts bats to your yard?

• <div>Trees that provide a habitat to bats and an abundance of bugs&mdash;their main food source&mdash;will attract bats to your yard. Because the North American landscape has changed so much in recent years, bats have a harder time finding trees with cavities to shelter in. If your yard has a dead or dying tree with a lot of sun exposure, bats will likely be drawn to it because trees with those features are less common. </div>

Q: What can you put around your house to keep raccoons away?

• <div>Although raccoons aren&rsquo;t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:<ul><li>Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting. </li><li>Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close. </li><li>Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon&rsquo;s den to keep them from nesting.</li><li>Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.</li><li>Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.</li></ul></div>

Q: Do wasps come back after their nest is gone?

• <div>If there is food sources and other places to build a nest, wasps may come back after their nest is gone. However, if you take measures to repel wasps, like planting pest-repellent plants or sealing cracks and gaps around the outside of your home, they aren&rsquo;t likely to return. Be diligent at checking for new nests each spring to get rid of them as soon as possible and prevent bigger swarms of wasps in your yard.</div>

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Verified Reviews for Pest Control pros in Defiance, IA

*The Angi rating for Pest Control companies in Defiance, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pest Control needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Pest Control companies in Defiance, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pest Control needs.

Last update on December 27, 2024

Reviewed in December 2024
We've worked with Mad City to replace 6 windows total in our home now. Most recently, we had them replace a large picture window in my living room and we're very happy with the results. The salesman we've worked with has been very knowledgeable and honest. In fact, he's talked me out of...
Mad City Windows & Baths
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Reviewed in September 2024
The 5 guys were very attentive to protecting the furniture. They were kind and very quick. No damage was done to my belongings or my new townhome. I appreciated their willingness to change dates when my buyers loan was delayed a few days. All is well.
All My Sons Moving & Storage
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Reviewed in July 2024
I highly recommend. We started with a price and I kept changing project. He never got frustrated and rolled with punches. I told him I would do the clean up trying to save a couple of bucks but he left very little to clean up. I never met the man face to face but he was always available to...
Barry Contracting
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Reviewed in July 2023
The quality of work was amazing! They are fast and efficient and were very polite and focused. 100% will be using for cleaning services from now on!
Baches Broomers LLC
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Reviewed in April 2023
Mr. Plant was professional, courteous, and precise with his work. I will always use him for all my yard needs.
Plant Lawn Service
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Reviewed in August 2022
They were very nice and efficient , very happy with their sevice
Crews Lawn Care & Landscaping
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Reviewed in August 2022
They were very good. He explained everything n was very thorough. He cleaned out all of r air ducts n r dryer vent. We live in a 110 year old house n the vents have probably only been cleaned out once or twice. Before he left he showed me a pictures n a video of the inside of r vents.
Air Free Duct Cleaning
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Reviewed in February 2022
Service was excellent start to finish, prompt, thorough, and courteous. The duct cleaning has greatly improved our home air quality! Thank you.
National Radon Defense Midwest
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Top-Rated Pest control specialists in Defiance - Updated Nov 2026

Terminix® Pest Control

3.9(

1,074

)

Pest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - RodentsPest Control - Termite+6 more

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1927

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Very knowledgeable guy who seem to know what he’s doing. Don’t know results of spraying. Have had much rain since. Will have to see if it worked. Terminex will spray again the beginning of next month."

52 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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Atlantic Pest Control, LLC

5.0(

)

Pest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Bugs and Insects - For Business+4 more

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your task or project. We look forward to earning your business! Book with us online or feel free to give us a call today!

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Pest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Rodents+1 more

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1927

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"A little pricey. Very friendly. Too soon to tell if pest control is effective."

Recommended by85%of homeowners

Pest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Termite

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1927

When it comes to protecting homes, Terminix has satisfied more customers than any other insect and pest control company in the industry, with more than 15 million service visits annually.

Recommended by62%of homeowners

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ASAP Pest Control & Carpet Cleaning

5.0(

)

Pest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Rodents+1 more

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

ASAP Pest Control & Carpet Cleaning is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Pest Control - Birds and BatsPest Control - Birds and Bats - For BusinessPest Control - Small Animals+1 more

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

Free estimates

"I doubt that you can find any harder working people than Paul Dawson & his daughter of Ace Animal Control. We couldn't be any happier with them & their services. Long story short, the squirrels are gone & they can't get back in again. Thanks Ace ! Alan Schrank God Bless"

Response time2 days

Response rate97%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,689

)

Mosquito ControlPest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and Insects+3 more

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"United Air Temp was able to procure a replacement furnace controller board in a couple of days and Zachary was out within 4 days of the initial visit. The furnace now works very well."

Recommended by65%of homeowners

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Wholy Moly Pest

New to Angi

Pest Control - Birds and BatsPest Control - Birds and Bats - For BusinessPest Control - Rodents+3 more

Serving Defiance, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Wholy Moly Pest is the company to call to handle anything and everything in the way of wildlife pest control - even beavers! For Wholy Moly Pest, customer service is number one. A job done right the first time and a happy customer is our constant goal - and we make sure to do it.

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Pest Control FAQs, answered by experts

When you’re checking for bed bugs in your home, start by searching for the telltale signs rather than the insects themselves, as they tend to stay hidden during the day. Here are the key signs of a bed bug infestation:

Rust-colored or reddish stains on mattresses and bed sheets
Dark spots on fabric
Shed skins
Fecal matter (looks like black spots)

As for fleas, you can typically spot them on your pet. If you notice them scratching themselves excessively, look for bites and bugs on their skin and fur.

Trees that provide a habitat to bats and an abundance of bugs—their main food source—will attract bats to your yard. Because the North American landscape has changed so much in recent years, bats have a harder time finding trees with cavities to shelter in. If your yard has a dead or dying tree with a lot of sun exposure, bats will likely be drawn to it because trees with those features are less common.

Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:

Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting.
Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close.
Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.
Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.
Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.

The best way to permanently get rid of skunks is by setting up deterrents around your property to keep skunks out. Get rid of skunks permanently by:

Not leaving food or water outside
Installing a motion-sensor sprinkler system
Installing fencing that’s at least 3 feet high and a foot deep
Adding motion-sensor lights in the yard
Cleaning up brush, sticks, woodpiles, and leaves on your property so skunks can’t use the materials for a nest
Seal up cracks and holes around your property to prevent skunks from building a den
Placing fresh lemon peels around the perimeter of your home

If there is food sources and other places to build a nest, wasps may come back after their nest is gone. However, if you take measures to repel wasps, like planting pest-repellent plants or sealing cracks and gaps around the outside of your home, they aren’t likely to return. Be diligent at checking for new nests each spring to get rid of them as soon as possible and prevent bigger swarms of wasps in your yard.

The Defiance, IA homeowners’ guide to pest control services

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