What Is a Pest Entry Diagnostic? Finding Hidden Pest Entry Points in Your Home

When pests keep showing up inside your home, figuring out where they are coming from is not always straightforward. Rodents, cockroaches, drain flies, phorid flies, and other pests associated with sewer or drain systems may be using pathways that are completely hidden from view.

Paragon Pest Control's Pest Entry Diagnostic is designed to help locate those potential pathways. Using a non-toxic, water-based diagnostic fog, our technicians can investigate areas where pests may be entering the structure through openings connected to sanitary drainage or vent systems. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

How Does a Pest Entry Diagnostic Work?

During a Pest Entry Diagnostic, a Paragon technician may introduce visible, water-based diagnostic fog into a designated portion of the property's sanitary drainage or vent piping through an appropriate existing access point, such as an accessible cleanout.

The technician then inspects accessible areas inside and outside the property for visible fog. If fog appears somewhere it should not, it can reveal an otherwise hidden pathway or opening that pests may be able to use to enter the structure. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

When possible, our technicians will document visible fog with photos or video and note the general location of the finding. From there, we can provide pest-control recommendations and identify findings that may need to be evaluated by a licensed plumber or another qualified professional. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

Why Use Diagnostic Fog?

Some pest entry points are easy to spot. A gap beneath a door or an opening along the exterior of a home can often be found during a visual inspection. Other pathways can be concealed within areas of the property that cannot be seen directly.

Diagnostic fog gives our technicians another way to investigate. By observing where visible fog escapes, we may be able to identify a pathway that would otherwise remain hidden during a standard visual inspection.

This can be especially useful when investigating activity involving rodents, cockroaches, drain flies, phorid flies, and other pests that may travel through sewer or drain-associated pathways. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

Diagnostic Fog Is Not Combustion Smoke

Despite how it may look, the material used during this service is not combustion smoke.

Paragon's Pest Entry Diagnostic uses a non-toxic, water-based diagnostic fog produced without combustion, an open flame, or incendiary smoke products. It is also not a pesticide or fumigant. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

Because dense diagnostic fog can still be detected by some smoke detectors, particle sensors, and monitored alarm systems, customers should let our team know about monitored fire or alarm systems before testing begins. Our technicians will also provide any necessary instructions regarding occupants, pets, ventilation, and access. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

What Happens If We Find a Pathway?

Visible fog can help identify the general location of an opening or pathway. Depending on what we find, our team can recommend appropriate pest-control steps or let you know when the finding should be evaluated by another qualified professional.

For example, if fog escapes from a plumbing-related area, that can indicate a pathway pests could potentially use. Determining the exact plumbing defect, necessary repair, or applicable code requirements is outside the scope of the Pest Entry Diagnostic and should be handled by an appropriately licensed plumbing professional. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

When reasonably possible, Paragon can provide photos or video of the visible fog and identify the general area where it appeared. That documentation can also be shared with a plumber if further evaluation is needed. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

Understanding the Limits of a Pest Entry Diagnostic

A Pest Entry Diagnostic is an investigative service, so it cannot guarantee that every possible pest-entry pathway will be found.

Some areas may be concealed or inaccessible, and conditions such as underground piping, damaged or blocked lines, weather, ventilation, building layout, and inaccessible wall or floor cavities can affect what can be observed during testing. A test where no visible fog is found does not necessarily mean there are no concealed openings or pest-entry points. paragonpest-contract-54557-unsi…

The goal is to gather useful information about potential pest pathways so you have a clearer idea of what may be happening and what the appropriate next step should be.

Having Trouble Finding Where Pests Are Coming From?

When the source of pest activity isn't obvious, repeatedly treating what you can see may not answer the bigger question of how pests are getting inside.

A Pest Entry Diagnostic gives the Paragon Pest Control team another investigative tool for finding potential hidden pathways and helping determine the right next steps for your property.

If you're dealing with unexplained rodent, cockroach, drain fly, phorid fly, or other drain-associated pest activity in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, give Paragon Pest Control a call at (972) 435-9797 to learn whether a Pest Entry Diagnostic may be appropriate for your situation.