First, reduce exposure without disturbing the source
Keep children, pets, and visitors away from the affected area. If insects are around the usual entrance, use a different route when it is safe to do so. Close off access to contaminated food or an affected room without moving suspect belongings through the rest of the home. Take a photograph only if you can do it from a safe distance.
Avoid mixing chemicals, repeatedly adding pesticides, or attempting a dramatic home remedy. Do not burn nests, flood wall cavities, or climb a ladder near stinging insects. An urgent feeling does not make an unsafe action more effective. The immediate priority is protecting people and preserving useful information for the person who assesses the problem.
Wasps or hornets near people
Stay away from the nest and its flight path. Postpone mowing, trimming, and other activity that could disturb it. Do not block an active entry point in a wall or roofline, because insects may be redirected into occupied spaces. Tell the service provider whether the nest is visible, where activity occurs, and whether people can avoid the area.
A sting reaction is a medical issue, separate from nest management. For a pet that has been stung or appears unwell, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary service. If you suspect bees rather than wasps, mention that when calling so the appropriate type of assessment can be discussed.
Read the stinging-insect guideRodents around food, living spaces, or wiring
Keep exposed food separate and prevent access to areas with suspected contamination. Do not dry sweep or vacuum droppings. Avoid touching damaged electrical materials, entering unsafe roof spaces, or handling a live or dead animal. If there is smoke, a fire, or an immediate electrical danger, contact the relevant emergency service rather than treating it only as a rodent issue.
Note where new evidence appeared and keep photographs if safe. Do not seal an occupied entry route without a coordinated plan. Removal, monitoring, exclusion, cleanup, and repairs may be separate steps, and the order can matter.
Read the rodent guideSuspected bed bugs or sudden indoor activity
A sudden discovery can be distressing without being a medical emergency. Avoid carrying bedding, furniture, or boxes into other rooms. Document physical evidence rather than identifying bed bugs from bites alone. Keep any product packaging or previous service records so the provider knows what has already been used.
For cockroaches or other insects near food, protect food and keep the observations specific: where, when, and how often. Ask about an assessment rather than using several products at once. If you rent, notify the property manager, especially when shared walls or building-level maintenance could be involved.
Read the bed bug guideWhat to have ready when you call
Share your name, callback number, Charlotte neighborhood or ZIP code, and a brief description of what is happening. Explain whether anyone has been stung, whether a doorway is affected, and whether children, pets, or a person with known sensitivities are nearby. Describe the property type and any access restrictions. You do not need to know the exact species before asking for help.
Ask whether someone is available, what the next appointment could be, and whether an inspection or urgent visit has a fee. Confirm those details before arranging access or making plans to leave the property. Same-day visits, a particular response time, and after-hours dispatch are not guaranteed by this website.
What “24/7 guidance” means here
This page is available to read at any time. The business hours supplied for Pest Service Connects Charlotte are Monday through Saturday, 7am–7pm, with Sunday closed. We do not represent that the phone or email is monitored around the clock. A call outside those hours may not receive an immediate response.
If the concern can be safely isolated, preserve your observations and call during published hours to confirm the next step. If people, pets, or property face an immediate danger, use the appropriate emergency, medical, veterinary, or utility service. Accurate expectations are part of keeping the response safe.