Science-Based Pest Control for Scarsdale and Westchester Homes

The Home Protection Plan: Year-Round Pest Defense

Living in Westchester County means sharing your environment with a diverse range of pest species that thrive in our temperate climate, mature tree canopy, and varied housing stock. From the stone-foundation colonials of Scarsdale to the Tudor homes of Bronxville, every property faces unique pest pressures that demand more than a one-size-fits-all spray treatment.

Pristine Pest’s Home Protection Plan (HPP) delivers science-based pest control rooted in Integrated Pest Management - the same methodology endorsed by Cornell University’s New York State IPM Program and the EPA. Rather than blanket chemical applications, we identify the biological and environmental factors driving pest activity in your specific home and address them at the source.

What Is Integrated Pest Management?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a systematic, evidence-based approach to pest control that the EPA defines as “an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management.” Unlike conventional extermination, IPM follows a decision hierarchy:

1. Identification and monitoring - Correctly identifying the pest species and understanding its biology, life cycle, and behavior patterns
2. Prevention - Eliminating conducive conditions such as moisture sources, food access, and structural entry points
3. Biological and mechanical controls - Using traps, exclusion materials, and natural predator relationships before chemical intervention
4. Targeted chemical application - When chemical treatment is necessary, using the most selective product at the lowest effective dose in precisely targeted locations

This approach results in more effective long-term control with significantly reduced chemical exposure for your family. Research from Cornell’s IPM program demonstrates that IPM-based pest management reduces pesticide use by 70-90% compared to calendar-based spray programs while achieving superior control outcomes.

Pests We Protect Against

Westchester County’s climate - with humid summers averaging 75-85°F and winters that regularly drop below freezing - creates seasonal pest pressure cycles that our HPP is specifically designed to address.

Rodents: Mice and Rats

The house mouse (Mus musculus) is Westchester’s most persistent residential pest. A single female can produce 5-10 litters per year with 6-8 pups each. Our approach combines interior snap trapping with exterior exclusion - sealing gaps as small as 1/4 inch that mice use to enter your home. Norway rats, increasingly common near waterways and commercial corridors, require a different strategy involving exterior bait stations and burrow treatment.

Carpenter Ants

Westchester’s mature oak, maple, and ash trees make carpenter ants (Camponotus species) a significant structural concern. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood - they excavate galleries for nesting, creating smooth tunnels that weaken structural members over time. Our technicians trace foraging trails to locate satellite colonies inside your home and the parent colony outdoors, treating both for complete elimination. For ongoing monitoring, our smart digital pest control system can detect activity between visits.

Cockroaches

German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are the primary indoor species in Westchester, typically introduced via grocery bags, cardboard boxes, or used appliances. Our treatment protocol uses gel bait formulations placed in cracks, crevices, and harborage areas - a method that peer-reviewed research shows achieves 95%+ population reduction within two weeks without broadcast spraying.

Stinging Insects

Yellow jackets, paper wasps, and bald-faced hornets build nests in eaves, soffits, ground voids, and wall cavities throughout Westchester from May through October. Our technicians are trained in safe nest removal and apply residual treatments to prevent re-establishment at the same location.

Spiders, Crickets, and Silverfish

While most house spiders in Westchester are harmless, their presence often indicates underlying prey insect populations. Our perimeter treatments create a barrier that reduces both spiders and their food sources. Crickets and silverfish are managed through habitat modification and targeted crack-and-crevice treatments in basements, utility rooms, and attic spaces.

Why Calendar-Based Spraying Falls Short

Many pest control companies operate on a quarterly spray schedule - treating every 90 days regardless of actual pest activity. This approach has two fundamental problems:

• Over-treatment: Applying pesticides when no target pest is present wastes product and increases unnecessary chemical exposure
• Under-treatment: Waiting until the next scheduled visit when active pest pressure demands immediate response

The HPP model solves both problems. Your three scheduled visits are timed to align with Westchester’s seasonal pest cycles - early spring emergence, peak summer activity, and fall invasion season - while unlimited service calls ensure you are never waiting when a problem arises between visits.

Our Commitment to Westchester Families

Every HPP service is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If pest activity persists between visits, we return at no additional charge - as many times as needed. Our technicians live and work in Westchester County, and they understand the specific challenges that come with protecting homes in communities like Scarsdale, Eastchester, Bronxville, Larchmont, and Mamaroneck.

We believe effective pest control should protect your family from pests without introducing unnecessary risks from the treatment itself. That is the core principle behind every decision we make - from product selection to application method to follow-up protocol.

Contact Pristine Pest today to schedule your initial home inspection and learn how the Home Protection Plan can deliver year-round, science-based pest protection for your Westchester home.