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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about pest control in Waco and Central Texas.

Pest Signs and Identification

What are common signs of a pest problem?

Chewed food packets, gnaw marks, and droppings are common pest clues. Nests belong on that list too. Insects gathering around windows, repeated sightings, or activity after dark can add to the picture. Show our Waco, TX pest control team what you’ve found so we can help identify the pest.

Crumbs or moisture draw ants into kitchens. Follow their trail to locate the entrance, and keep food sealed and spills cleaned up. A trail that returns needs checking at the colony or entry point; removing the ants you see can leave that source in place.

Mud tubes, discarded wings, and damaged wood may point to termites, but they aren’t proof. Another pest or condition can leave similar clues. Have someone identify the cause before settling on treatment; examining those signs helps establish what the proposed work needs to address at the property.

Rodents are one explanation for attic scratching. Look for other clues such as nesting debris, droppings, or chewed materials; sound by itself doesn’t tell you which animal is there. Cen-Tex offers pest control to assess the activity and discuss rodent treatment and entry points.

Bites won’t tell you for sure whether you have bed bugs. Look for the insects themselves, shed skins, rusty sheet marks, or dark spots near mattress seams. Check bed frames and furniture crevices too. Ask Cen-Tex about inspecting what you’ve found before deciding which treatment to use for the suspected bed bugs.

A photo is a starting point for identifying an insect. Send Cen-Tex an image that shows its markings and shape, and say where you found it. If the photo still leaves questions, a closer look at the insect itself may be needed for a reliable identification.

Inspections and Pest Assessments

When should I request a pest inspection?
Repeated sightings, unexplained damage to wood, droppings, or strange noises are worth an inspection. A sign you can’t name is enough to start the conversation too. Checking the affected areas helps establish what’s present and whether it needs treatment. Get the pest assessed before deciding which service to request for your property.
Call Cen-Tex with what you know about the pest. A name isn’t required. A clear photo is useful, as are the place, starting date, and description of what you saw or heard. Once we hear what’s happening, we’ll discuss if someone needs to check the property in person.
What you’ve already tried matters when arranging pest control. Note sprays, traps, and other measures, then describe the property type and the rooms or outside areas involved. How often the pests appear is useful too. Those observations and past measures give us context for a pest assessment.
Cen-Tex inspects suspected termite activity. Before arranging treatment, ask which inspection is appropriate and what it covers. Describe where you’ve seen damaged wood, mud tubes, or discarded wings. With those details, we can explain the assessment and discuss the next step for the problem at your property.
For an assessment, keep the trouble spots reachable where possible. Put saved photos or pest samples where you can show them to the technician. Pets and entry restrictions need mentioning when you book; if access is limited, work through those arrangements with Cen-Tex before anyone comes out to the property.
After a pest inspection, Cen-Tex can recommend suitable treatment options for the activity and affected areas. You’ll hear what preparation is needed and how the work can be arranged. Before booking, ask which pest the proposed service addresses and what areas it covers so you can review the recommendation.

Treatment Options

What pests does Cen-Tex Pest Control handle?
Cen-Tex is a pest control company handling common household pests and specialty infestations. General pest work includes ants, fire ants, roaches, spiders, fleas, and ticks. Separate services address termites, bed bugs, rodents, mosquitoes, flies, and bees. Confirm the service and coverage for your particular pest before choosing a visit or plan.

Cen-Tex offers one-time pest control for customers who want a visit for a current problem. You do not have to join a recurring plan to request that service. Describe the pest concern and property so we can discuss suitable work. Scheduled service remains a separate option if you want ongoing visits.

Yes, Cen-Tex offers repeat visits through its residential plans. Before enrolling, check coverage for the pest you’re calling about. Each plan has its own price and visit frequency. Some include eligible re-services between regular appointments, so ask whether that applies to your concern and how those return visits are arranged.

Yes, termites are among the pests Cen-Tex treats. The work we recommend follows what an inspection finds and the property’s condition. Point out where the activity or damage appears when you call. We can then go through the inspection and treatment choices before you arrange the termite service.

Yes. Cen-Tex inspects for bed bugs and treats infestations. Tell our pest expert exactly where you’ve found signs, whether on a bed or furniture. The insects hide in mattress seams, furniture joints, and small gaps. Before scheduling treatment, find out what the work involves and how to prepare the room.

Cen-Tex provides mosquito treatment for yards. Reducing standing water is also part of prevention, because mosquitoes use it for breeding. Empty water that collects around the property, clear blocked gutters, and address damaged screens. If yard activity continues, ask about a treatment appropriate to the area where mosquitoes are causing trouble.

Appointments and Preparation

How long should I allow for a pest control appointment?
Inspection and treatment times vary with the work and areas involved. Check preparation and access with Cen-Tex as you book, and mention if several rooms or outdoor spaces need attention. Ask for a time estimate for that particular inspection or treatment so you can reserve enough time in your day.
Before a pest technician arrives, put food away, secure pets, and make the treatment areas accessible. Cen-Tex will explain any preparation specific to the pest and service beforehand. Use those directions for your appointment, and mention access restrictions while scheduling so the work areas can be discussed before the visit.
Move furniture only as directed in your preparation instructions or to provide access to the areas being treated. Ask Cen-Tex what should be reachable before shifting heavy items. If something cannot be moved, mention it beforehand so access can be discussed before the technician arrives for the appointment.
Some treatments require you to leave, while others allow you to stay. The application and product determine the instructions. Get those directions from Cen-Tex before the visit, including which areas to avoid, how long to stay away, and when you can return. Follow the re-entry guidance for the work you’ve booked.
Safe use depends on the product label: how it’s applied, the precautions, and when treated areas can be entered again. Cen-Tex needs to hear about children, pets, and aquariums before the appointment. Follow the directions for that application, including any required time away, and ask about anything unclear before treatment starts.
How quickly pest treatment works depends on the pest, method, and infestation level. Seeing some activity after the first visit does not by itself show that treatment failed. Further service may be necessary. Ask what progress to expect for your specific treatment and which signs should prompt a follow-up conversation.
No, follow the cleaning directions for your treatment before washing treated surfaces. Your technician can tell you when wiping or washing is appropriate. If a spot isn’t covered clearly in those instructions, ask about it first. Cleaning too early could disturb the treatment and interfere with pest removal.
A treated property can still get new pests through open entry points, and an established infestation may take further visits. Food left accessible and moisture problems also need attention. Seal openings where possible and reduce those attractions. If sightings continue, tell Cen-Tex what you’re seeing so we can discuss whether the issue needs more service.

Homes, Rentals and Businesses

Do you serve commercial properties?

Commercial pest control is available for offices, restaurants, and apartment buildings. Before Cen-Tex confirms an appointment, we’ll cover preparation, your operating hours, and how we’ll enter the site. Your initial inquiry should name the type of property and the pest problem; both help determine the work we propose.

Cen-Tex helps with pest problems in rented houses and apartments. Before setting a date, we go over available service and access to the trouble spots with you. Tenants, owners, and property managers can all request help. Just say which applies to you and where you’ve seen pests at the property.
Your operating hours and busiest periods can be part of scheduling with Cen-Tex. An appointment still needs workable access and preparation. Ask whether anyone has to leave an area during treatment, then plan around that requirement. We can review the timing with you before agreeing on a visit for the business.
Property managers can ask Cen-Tex for ongoing service. When you speak with a local exterminator, explain how each affected unit can be entered. Name the property type and point out where pests have appeared. We use those details and the pests involved to discuss the work and schedule for recurring visits.
Send the business address and type, then describe the pest sightings by area. Hours matter too: include operating times and any spaces with difficult or restricted access. Cen-Tex will go through the available service and appointment arrangements with you. That conversation comes before a visit to the site is confirmed.
Ask Cen-Tex about the services available for your construction site. The building stage, location, and any pest signs already present will help frame that conversation. Specify whether the concern is treatment or prevention during construction. An assessment may be needed to establish which work applies before anything is arranged for the site.

Pricing, Plans and Scheduling

How much does pest control cost in Waco?
Home Protection costs $45 monthly after $149 initially; Home + Yard Protection costs $55 monthly after $199 initially. One-time treatment starts at $149, or $199 including the yard. Mosquito service starts at $59 monthly alongside an ongoing pest plan. Standalone mosquito service costs $149 initially, then $79 monthly for properties up to ½-acre with typical vegetation.
No. Cen-Tex’s residential protection plans let you cancel anytime without a contract. Home Protection and Home + Yard Protection are billed monthly, with visits every three months. Seasonal mosquito service runs monthly from March through November, then ends without automatically restarting. One-time treatment includes a 30-day warranty without an ongoing plan.

Regular plans cover common household insects; termites and rodents may need separate inspection and treatment. Home Protection provides pest control for indoor and outdoor areas through interior and perimeter treatments, cobweb sweeping, and covered re-services. With Home + Yard Protection, routine yard treatment is included too. Ask about the right service when requesting a quote.

Between visits, report continued activity to Cen-Tex with the location, what you’re seeing, and when it began. We’ll check the concern against your recurring plan. Re-service coverage also depends on the pest, so confirm whether a return is covered for this situation when you contact us about the ongoing problem.

Appointment openings vary with the location and the work your pest problem needs. Call Cen-Tex or use the online request form to share the address and describe the concern. We’ll review the available times with you. Until a time is confirmed, the request hasn’t become an appointment in our schedule.

Prevention

How do I keep pests out of my home?
Secure food and fix leaks so pests have less to eat and drink. Then deal with the routes indoors: seal gaps at doors and pipes, repair screens, and keep plants from touching the house. These are starting steps. Prevention beyond them should fit the pest involved and the conditions around your home.
Keep every trash bag inside a tightly covered bin, and take your indoor garbage out regularly. Food scraps can draw ants, flies, and rodents even when the bin itself is shut. Pick up anything spilled around it, wash away residue inside, and rinse food containers before they go into the recycling.
You may see more bugs after rain, during heat, or as temperatures shift. Tell Cen-Tex where that increase shows up and when it started. Include the weather at the time. Those changes can send insects elsewhere for food, water, and shelter, affecting what you notice around your Central Texas property.
Standing water gives mosquitoes a place to breed, so empty it regularly and clear blocked gutters. Repair damaged screens too, to help keep mosquitoes outside. If the yard is still troublesome, explain where activity is worst to a pest control specialist and ask which treatment fits the outdoor conditions at your property.
Hidden infestations make termites and bed bugs difficult to tackle with store-bought products. Start with identification, then have a professional assess which areas need attention. Ask what treatment would involve and what preparation you’ll need. Review the options for those affected areas before deciding how to deal with the pest you’ve actually found.

About Cen-Tex Pest Control

Is Cen-Tex Pest Control locally owned?
Cen-Tex Pest Control is locally operated, with service in Waco and Central Texas dating to 2013. The company works with households and commercial properties. You can request a visit for a current pest problem or ask about scheduled residential service. Contact the team to discuss options for your address.

Cen-Tex serves Waco, Woodway, Hewitt, Bellmead, China Spring, Crawford, Lorena, McGregor, Robinson, and nearby Central Texas communities. Coverage should be checked for your particular address before arranging a visit. When contacting the company, include the property location and pest concern so the service area and available appointment options can be discussed for that site.

Cen-Tex works in homes as well as commercial properties. For a home, ask about one-time appointments or a residential plan. Businesses should provide the property type, areas with activity, and access requirements, including for ongoing service. Describe the pest problem first so we can explain the work available for that kind of property.
Use whichever is easier: a call or text to (254) 235-0877, or the form at wacobugs.com. Add your address and explain the pest trouble, along with times or entry restrictions we should know about. Cen-Tex will respond with appointment choices; we’ll settle on a time with you before coming out.
Look at Cen-Tex’s Google business listing or the reviews at wacobugs.com for customer accounts of pest control extermination. Focus on the service you’re considering. Customers’ comments about communication and follow-up can give you questions to bring to Cen-Tex when you’re deciding whether to book that service for your own property.

Call today to request your free inspection or to schedule your service. We’ll explain your options clearly and help you choose what actually fits your needs.

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