Fleas can quickly become a frustrating pest problem for homeowners, especially in homes with pets,
shaded yards, crawl spaces, or wildlife activity nearby. Hunt Pest Service provides professional
flea control services designed to help reduce flea activity inside and around your home.
Common Signs of a Flea Problem
Pets scratching or biting at their skin
Small jumping insects on floors, rugs, or furniture
Flea bites around ankles, legs, or feet
Flea activity near pet bedding or resting areas
Recurring flea problems after store-bought treatments
Why Flea Control Matters
Fleas reproduce quickly and can spread throughout carpets, furniture, pet areas, and outdoor resting
spots. A professional flea treatment can help target problem areas and support long-term prevention.
Need help with fleas?
Hunt Pest Service is here to help protect your home, pets, and family from unwanted flea activity.
Concerned about termites? Looking for peace of mind? Hunt Pest Service
provides FREE termite inspections designed to thoroughly evaluate your home,
identify concerns, and help protect one of your biggest investments.
Have you seen something concerning around your home and wondered if it could be termite activity?
Or are you simply looking for peace of mind from a professional inspection? Both are excellent
reasons to schedule a termite inspection.
At Hunt Pest Service, our termite inspections are completely free. We take the time to carefully
inspect every structure because no two homes are alike. We believe in attention to detail and
never rush the inspection process.
Did You Know?
Moisture problems are one of the most common conditions we find during termite inspections.
Excess moisture can create an environment that attracts termites and other wood-destroying organisms.
What We Look For During a Termite Inspection
During your inspection, we look for signs of active termite activity, previous termite damage,
conditions that may attract termites, excessive moisture, wood-to-soil contact, and other issues
that could put your property at risk.
Access to Key Areas of the Home
Crawl Spaces
If your home has a crawl space, we will need access to perform a thorough inspection.
Crawl spaces are one of the most important areas to inspect because termites often enter structures
from below the home.
Basements
If your home has a basement, we will inspect the walls, foundation, and surrounding areas.
Removing clutter and stored items from walls allows us to complete a more thorough inspection.
Slab Homes
For homes built on a slab foundation, we inspect interior and exterior walls as well as other
accessible areas where termites may be active.
Attached Garages
Attached garages and adjoining walls are also inspected, as termites can enter structures through
these areas.
Common Issue Found:
Stored wood, cardboard boxes, paper products, and other cellulose materials sitting directly
on the soil can create ideal conditions for termite activity.
Common Conditions We Find
Some of the most common conditions we encounter include:
Wood-to-soil contact
Stored firewood beneath the home
Cardboard boxes and paper products in crawl spaces
High crawl space moisture levels
Poor ventilation
Water leaks and drainage concerns
Areas of previous termite activity
How Long Does a Termite Inspection Take?
A termite inspection takes as long as it needs to take. Every structure is unique, and we inspect
each property carefully. Our goal is to provide a thorough inspection, identify any concerns,
and answer your questions along the way.
Schedule Your Free Termite Inspection Today
Whether you have noticed something concerning or simply want peace of mind,
Hunt Pest Service is here to help.
Spring Pest Surge in Rutherfordton, NC: What Homeowners Need to Know
Spring is one of the busiest times of year for pest activity in Western North Carolina. As temperatures warm up and moisture increases, many insects become more active, begin breeding, and start searching for food, water, and shelter around your home.
At Hunt Pest Service, we see a big increase in calls each spring for house ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, mosquitoes, carpenter bees, and American roaches. Here is what you need to know about why these pests ramp up this time of year and what you can do to help protect your home.
House Ants
House ants become more active in spring as colonies begin foraging for food and moisture. This often leads them into kitchens, bathrooms, pantries, and other indoor areas.
What you can do: Keep food sealed, wipe down counters, clean up crumbs quickly, and address any moisture issues around sinks and plumbing.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are especially active in spring when they begin expanding their colonies. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood, but they tunnel through it to create nesting areas. Damp or damaged wood can attract them.
What you can do: Repair water-damaged wood, reduce moisture around the home, and watch for signs like large ants indoors or sawdust-like debris near wood structures.
Fire Ants
Fire ants thrive as the soil warms up in spring. You may start seeing fresh mounds in lawns, flower beds, near sidewalks, around foundations, and in play areas.
What you can do: Avoid disturbing ant mounds and treat early before colonies spread further across the property.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes begin building in number during the spring, especially after rainy periods. Even small amounts of standing water can create a breeding site.
What you can do: Empty standing water from buckets, toys, flower pots, tarps, and gutters. Keeping outdoor areas maintained can help reduce mosquito activity.
Carpenter Bees
Spring is peak season for carpenter bees. This is when they begin drilling into exposed wood to create nesting holes. Decks, sheds, railings, eaves, fences, and playground equipment are all common targets.
What you can do: Treat exposed wood early in the season and address activity before damage becomes more extensive.
American Roaches
American roaches become more noticeable in spring as warmth and moisture increase. These large roaches are often found around crawlspaces, basements, drains, mulch beds, and damp exterior areas.
What you can do: Reduce excess moisture, seal entry points, and stay on top of routine pest prevention around the outside of the home.
Why Pest Activity Increases in Spring
Spring creates the perfect conditions for many pests to become more active. Warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and increased rainfall all contribute to breeding, foraging, and movement around homes and businesses.
Stay Ahead of Spring Pest Problems
The best way to handle spring pests is with early prevention. Once insect activity grows, problems can become more frustrating and more costly to control. Professional pest control can help target activity early and protect your home throughout the season.
If you are seeing increased pest activity this spring, Hunt Pest Service is here to help with effective, professional solutions for your home and property.
Hunt Pest Service is proud to announce our expansion into South Carolina, bringing trusted pest, termite, rodent, and moisture control services to more homes and businesses across the Upstate.
Trusted, Family-Owned Service Now Crossing State Lines
As a family-owned company based in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Hunt Pest Service has built a strong reputation for reliable service, honest recommendations, and long-term protection. With our South Carolina licensing in place, we are now fully equipped to serve customers in the Upstate with the same dependable care our customers have come to expect.
Whether you are dealing with ants, termites, rodents, moisture issues, or other seasonal pest concerns, our team is here to help protect your home or business with practical solutions and professional service.
Why This Matters
Licensed to serve North Carolina and South Carolina
Residential and commercial service options available
Experienced technicians and customized service plans
Local service with a strong reputation in the Carolinas
Our Services
Pest and Termite Services Now Available in South Carolina
🐜
General Pest Control
Quarterly and routine pest control services designed to help protect homes and businesses from common pest activity year-round.
🏠
Termite Services
Professional termite inspections, treatments, and termite baiting systems to help guard your property against costly damage.
🐭
Rodent Control & Exclusion
Targeted rodent control and practical exclusion recommendations to help reduce activity and entry points around the structure.
💧
Moisture Control
Crawlspace moisture control and related solutions that support a healthier, more protected structure from the ground up.
🔥
Fire Ant & Seasonal Pest Treatments
Seasonal service options for fire ants, carpenter bees, and other pest concerns that increase during warmer months.
🏢
Residential & Commercial Service
Flexible service plans for homes, offices, rental properties, and other commercial settings throughout the Upstate.
Areas We Serve
Currently Serving Upstate South Carolina
We are currently servicing communities in and around the following South Carolina areas, with additional nearby areas available depending on route and scheduling.
Landrum
Chesnee
Spartanburg
Campobello
Inman
Why Choose Hunt Pest Service
Local Service Backed by Experience and Professionalism
✔
Family-Owned & Operated
We believe in friendly service, honest communication, and treating customers the way we would want to be treated.
📋
Licensed & Compliant
Our team follows current regulations and service standards while providing dependable treatment recommendations.
🛠
Customized Solutions
Every property is different, so we tailor service recommendations based on the structure, pest issue, and long-term needs.
Need Pest Control in South Carolina?
Contact Hunt Pest Service today to schedule an inspection or learn more about service options for your home or business.
Every spring across Rutherfordton, Forest City, Spindale, and surrounding North Carolina communities, homeowners begin noticing large bees hovering around decks, porches, and rooflines.
These insects are usually carpenter bees, a common wood-boring bee that becomes active as temperatures warm in early spring.
While their hovering behavior can feel intimidating, understanding why carpenter bees behave this way can help homeowners determine whether there is a problem that needs attention.
Why Carpenter Bees Hover Around Homes
The carpenter bees you see hovering are most often male carpenter bees guarding nesting areas.
They hover in these areas because female carpenter bees are drilling nesting tunnels in nearby wood.
Male carpenter bees may appear aggressive and will sometimes fly directly toward people, but they do not have stingers and cannot sting.
Where Carpenter Bees Nest
Female carpenter bees create nests by drilling perfectly round holes into wood. These holes are typically about ½ inch in diameter, roughly the size of a dime.
After drilling the entrance hole, the female creates a series of tunnels inside the wood where she lays her eggs.
Common nesting areas include:
• Decks and railings • Fascia boards • Porch ceilings • Wooden trim • Wooden siding • Fence posts • Outdoor furniture
Carpenter bees prefer untreated, stained, or weathered wood, but they can occasionally nest in painted wood as well.
Signs of Carpenter Bee Activity
Homeowners may notice several signs that carpenter bees are nesting in or around their home.
Common indicators include:
• Large bees hovering around wood structures • Round holes drilled into wood surfaces • Small piles of sawdust beneath the holes • Yellowish stains or droppings on siding • Woodpecker damage (woodpeckers often attack nests to eat larvae)
Carpenter bees frequently return to the same nesting areas each year, which can increase damage over time.
Do Carpenter Bees Damage Homes?
A single carpenter bee tunnel may cause minimal damage. However, when carpenter bees return to the same wood year after year, the tunnels can expand into large internal galleries inside the wood.
Over time this can lead to:
• Weakened wood structures • Damage to decks and railings • Cosmetic damage to siding and trim • Increased woodpecker activity
Because of this, early identification and treatment are recommended.
When Carpenter Bees Are Most Active in North Carolina
In North Carolina, carpenter bee activity typically begins in March or early April as temperatures warm.
Peak activity usually occurs during:
• April • May
This is when females begin drilling new nesting holes and males hover nearby guarding the area.
Professional Carpenter Bee Control
Effective carpenter bee control requires more than simply spraying the bees you see flying.
Professional treatment typically includes:
• Locating active nesting holes • Treating the tunnels inside the wood • Applying preventative treatments to vulnerable areas • Sealing holes after treatment • Reducing conditions that attract carpenter bees
Proper treatment helps eliminate current activity and reduce future nesting.
Carpenter Bee Control in Rutherfordton, NC
If you are seeing carpenter bees hovering around your home, it may indicate active nesting nearby.
At Hunt Pest Service, our trained technicians can:
✔ Identify carpenter bee nesting areas ✔ Treat active galleries safely and effectively ✔ Help prevent future carpenter bee damage ✔ Protect decks, siding, and wooden structures
Hunt Pest Service proudly provides professional pest control throughout:
• Rutherfordton • Forest City • Spindale • Lake Lure • Mill Spring • surrounding communities
Schedule a Carpenter Bee Inspection
If carpenter bees are hovering around your home, the best step is to have a professional inspection to identify active nesting areas before damage increases.
📞 Contact Hunt Pest Service today to schedule an inspection and protect your home.
Each spring, many homeowners begin seeing winged insects suddenly appearing around windows, doors, and lights. These are called swarmers, and they are the reproductive stage of either ants or termites.
Because they look similar at first glance, there is often a lot of confusion about which insect you are seeing.
Termite Swarmers
Termite swarmers are a sign that a termite colony may be nearby or inside the structure.
Key identifying features:
• Straight antennae
• Thick, straight body (no narrow waist)
• Two pairs of wings that are the SAME length
• Wings often pile up on windowsills after swarming
Swarming typically occurs when termite colonies mature and send out reproductives to establish new colonies.
Ant swarmers
Are also common in spring and early summer and are often mistaken for termites.
Key identifying features:
• Elbowed (bent) antennae
• Pinched or narrow waist
• Front wings are LONGER than the back wings
• Bodies appear more segmented
While ant swarmers can indicate a colony nearby, they are generally less structurally destructive than termites.
If You See Swarmers — Don’t Panic
Seeing swarmers does not always mean you have an active infestation, but it is a strong indicator that a professional inspection is a smart next step.
Proper identification is critical, because the treatment methods for ants and termites are completely different.
The Most Important Step
Don’t panic. Don’t guess. Call the professionals.
If you notice swarmers around your home or business, the trusted team at Hunt Pest Service is here to help.
We provide professional inspections, expert identification, and effective solutions to protect your property.
As temperatures begin to warm in late winter and early spring, carpenter bees become active and start searching for untreated or exposed wood surfaces to bore into.
Unlike termites, carpenter bees do not eat wood — they drill perfectly round holes (about the size of your fingertip) into:
Eaves
Deck rails
Fascia boards
Porch ceilings
Wooden siding
Outdoor furniture
Once inside, they tunnel along the grain of the wood to create chambers for laying eggs. Over time, repeated drilling can weaken structures, stain surfaces with droppings, and attract woodpeckers that cause even more damage trying to feed on larvae.
Timing Matters
Carpenter bees typically begin drilling in early spring when daytime temperatures consistently rise. Treating your structure before or at the first signs of activity is key.
Preventative treatment:
Reduces active drilling
Protects exposed wood
Helps deter re-infestation
Preserves the integrity and appearance of your property
Waiting until you see multiple holes often means they’ve already established galleries inside the wood. We can still help.
Professional Carpenter Bee Service by Hunt Pest Service
At Hunt Pest Service, we:
Inspect all vulnerable wood areas
Identify active and previous nesting sites
Apply targeted treatments
Provide preventative protection options
Our goal is to stop the drilling cycle before structural damage escalates.
Have you noticed perfectly round holes in your deck or porch this season? Don’t wait until the damage spreads.
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood. They often hitchhike into homes on luggage, clothing, furniture, or overnight bags—especially after travel or hosting guests. They are not a sign of poor cleanliness.
What are the first signs of bed bugs?
Common signs include:
• Small red bites (often in clusters or lines)
• Tiny rust-colored spots on sheets or mattresses
• Shed skins or live bugs in mattress seams or bed frames
• Restless sleep or unexplained itching
Can bed bugs go away on their own?
Unfortunately, no. Bed bugs reproduce quickly and can survive for months without feeding. Professional treatment is necessary to fully eliminate them.
Do store-bought sprays work?
Most over-the-counter products only kill bugs you can see and often drive them deeper into hiding, making the problem worse. Bed bugs require targeted, professional treatment.
Is bed bug treatment safe for my family and pets?
Yes. At Hunt Pest Service LLC, we use industry-approved methods and apply treatments according to strict label guidelines. We’ll clearly explain all prep and safety steps before treatment begins.
Do I have to throw away my mattress or furniture?
In most cases, no. With proper treatment and professional guidance, mattresses and furniture can often be saved.
How long does treatment take?
Every situation is different. Some cases require multiple visits to ensure complete eradication. Our team will create a custom plan based on your home and level of activity.
How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?
• Inspect luggage after travel
• Wash and dry travel clothes on high heat
• Be cautious with second-hand furniture
• Call early if you notice signs—early detection matters
You can sleep easy again.
Bed bugs are stressful—but you don’t have to handle them alone. Hunt Pest Service LLC is highly trained in bed bug eradication and committed to helping you reclaim your home and your peace of mind.
Contact us today if you have questions or need an inspection
From a dream at our kitchen table… to a growing team… and now to a new, larger location right here in Rutherfordton – we are beyond thrilled to share this next step with you!
When Bryan first started Hunt Pest Service, his vision was simple but powerful:
Provide our community with top-notch pest, termite, and moisture control services
Create good, stable jobs for hardworking people in our area
Through blood, sweat, tears, dedication, and most importantly, the support of our incredible customers, that dream has become reality. Every service call, every handshake, every word-of-mouth referral has helped us grow – and we are so grateful.
We’re excited to soon call Railroad Avenue in Rutherfordton our new home. It will take a little time before we’re fully operating out of this location, but we invite you to watch us grow and celebrate alongside us.
We can’t wait to serve you from our new headquarters on Railroad Ave.
Thank you for being part of our story – we couldn’t do it without you.
Here’s to the future – and many more years of serving our community with excellence!
We were recently called out for a rodent inspection, and our trained eyes quickly spotted the issue—large gaps and entry points around the home where rodents were sneaking in. We were able to tailor a solution to seal up those areas and help prevent future intrusions.
But our job doesn’t stop there.
While performing the inspection, we also noticed something no homeowner ever wants to hear… active termites. As part of every service, we stay alert for anything we’d want addressed at our own homes, and that includes hidden pest threats.
Termites can cause serious damage, but the good news is: we offer both preventative termite control and active colony treatments to keep your home safe and secure.
Whether it’s pest control, rodent exclusion, moisture issues, or termite protection, we’re here to help.
Call us today to schedule an inspection.
Timing Matters
Reduces active drilling
Professional Carpenter Bee Service by Hunt Pest Service
You can sleep easy again.
Big News from Hunt Pest Service 
Provide our community with top-notch pest, termite, and moisture control services
Termites can cause serious damage, but the good news is: we offer both preventative termite control and active colony treatments to keep your home safe and secure.