Frequently asked questions
Questions we hear every week
General
Is there a contract?+
No. There's no contract on any recurring service, and you can cancel any time.
Where do you provide service?+
Austin and 26 surrounding towns. See the service area, or send us your ZIP code.
How will I know when you're coming?+
You'll get an email reminder the day before and a text or call when your technician is on the way. If no one's home, the technician waits until 20 minutes past the scheduled time, then leaves a door hanger.
Do I need to be home?+
For inside treatments, someone needs to let us in. For outside-only visits, just unlock gates and bring pets inside.
What happens if it rains?+
Light rain usually doesn't stop an exterior treatment. For heavy rain, we'll reschedule.
How can I pay?+
Cash, check, credit card, Venmo, and PayPal. You can pay invoices online through our customer portal.
Do you have a referral discount?+
Yes. You get $20 off your next visit when you refer someone who signs up for recurring service, limited to one discount per visit.
Is there a startup fee?+
No. You're charged only for the services you get.
Pest control
How often should I get pest treatment?+
Every three months, all year. Winter visits keep the barrier in place so spring doesn't start from zero. See the quarterly plan.
What areas get treated?+
Inside baseboards, the garage, and the outside foundation, eaves, and entry points. The first visit adds attic dusting and a yard granule.
How do I prepare?+
Clear access to about 80% of baseboards, bring pets inside, and unlock gates. Fleas and bed bugs need more prep, and we'll send you a sheet when you book.
Why do I see more bugs after a treatment?+
Activity often increases for up to three weeks as pests move out of treated voids. That's expected. Re-treatments are scheduled at least three weeks apart.
What about kids and pets?+
We follow every product label. Keep people and pets off treated surfaces until they've dried. We avoid play areas and cribs, and your technician will tell you when it's time to go back in.
I'm pregnant. What should I know?+
Talk with your doctor. We're glad to send the label and safety data sheet for any product we use, and we can adjust the plan, for example by treating only the exterior at a given visit.
How long does a treatment last?+
It's designed to carry you to the next quarterly visit. Heavy rain, lawn work, and new construction nearby can shorten that, and covered pests that come back in between are treated at no charge.
Are wasp nests covered between visits?+
No. There's no preventative wasp treatment. If we miss a nest, we come back within 7 days at no charge. More on wasps.
Do you do heat treatment for bed bugs?+
No. We use a chemical treatment of the whole home, with a required second treatment two weeks later. Bed bug prep and details.
Do you treat termites?+
We do preventative termite treatment. We don't treat active infestations or do WDI reports for home sales. More on termites.
How are ants treated differently?+
We use non-repellent products that ants carry back to the colony, plus bait inside. Sugar ants are covered on the quarterly plan; other species are quoted by type. Ant guides.
Weed control & lawns
Why don't you offer 50% off the first lawn treatment like other companies?+
Those deals usually come with a contract and 7 to 11 visits a year. We combine treatments, so most lawns need about 3 visits a year and there’s no contract. Our first visit costs a little more, but customers who switch typically save $600 to $700 a year on weed control and fertilizer. How the savings work.
How often should my lawn be treated?+
About 3 times a year: a full treatment in late February or early March, a spot treatment and fertilizer in early summer, and a full treatment in late September or early October. See the schedule.
What's the difference between pre-emergent and post-emergent?+
Pre-emergent stops seeds from sprouting. Post-emergent kills weeds that are already up. More here.
When can pets and kids go on the lawn?+
Once it's dry, usually 30 to 45 minutes.
When can I mow?+
Wait 48 hours before and after a weed treatment.
Do I need to water the treatment in?+
Pre-emergent should be watered in within 48 hours if there's no rain or heavy dew. Grub treatments should be watered in within 24 hours.
What if it rains after a treatment?+
Once the treatment has dried, rain won't hurt it. Weed control also carries a 30-day warranty.
I just laid new sod. When can you treat it?+
Wait at least 30 days, and ideally until the seams between pieces disappear.
Will it work on my grass?+
Our treatments work on St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia. We can't treat winter rye, or crabgrass growing in St. Augustine, without damaging the lawn.
Can you look at photos first?+
Yes. Email photos to neal@magicpestandlawn.com for a first assessment.
Do you aerate or reseed?+
No. We focus on treatments for weeds, lawn insects, and disease.
Why no treatments in July and August?+
It's too hot for weed treatments to work without stressing the turf. We resume in the fall.
Billing & payment
Can I pay my invoice online?+
Yes. Use the Pay invoice link at the top of any page, or the link in your invoice email. You can also call the office at 512-203-0525.
Do you charge late fees?+
Yes. If an invoice is 30 days past due, a 10% late fee is added. At 60 days past due, another 15% is added to the new balance, and at 90 days past due, another 30%. For example, a $100 invoice becomes $110 at 30 days, $126.50 at 60 days, and $164.45 at 90 days.
Do I have to sign a contract?+
No. Recurring service has no contract, and you can cancel any time.
Rodents, wildlife & mosquitoes
How does rodent removal work?+
An inspection, a same-day itemized quote for sealing each entry point, then exclusion work and traps, with checks until activity stops. After exclusion, call the office to schedule your follow-up. Details.
Are bait stations a risk to pets?+
Our stations are tamper-resistant and lock, so pets and kids can't reach the bait.
Where do trapped animals go?+
Live-trapped animals are relocated 9 to 11 miles away to a suitable site.
How fast do mosquito stations work?+
Results build over about three weeks. We recommend at least two stations per quarter acre, refilled every 30 days. More on mosquitoes.
Still have a question?
Call the office or send a request and a person will get back to you.