Flea & Tick Control for Yards and Homes in East Texas
Fleas and ticks aren’t just a problem for your pets — they’re a problem for your whole family. Ticks carry serious diseases. Fleas infest your home fast. And once you’ve got an infestation, it’s hard to get rid of without treating the right areas in the right order with the right products. That’s where we come in.
James M
5 Star Google Review
I contacted Critter Gitters this morning to help me eradicate a huge wasp nest on the front of my house and around the eaves of my roof. They kindly came out a couple of hours later, killed all of the wasps, and sent me a picture of the nests. Now THAT’S service!!! Wouldn’t use anyone else!! Thanks Lane for your help and awesome service!
Thai Folta
5 Star Google Review
We have used Critter Gitters for years and wouldn’t think to go elsewhere. They are extremely detail oriented, down to the de-webbing of the whole exterior of our home. They are always extremely professional and punctual (which is a huge must for us). I couldn’t recommend a better company than Critter Gitters!
George Lee
5 Star Google Review
We have used Critter Gitters for years and wouldn’t think to go elsewhere. They are extremely detail oriented, down to the de-webbing of the whole exterior of our home. They are always extremely professional and punctual (which is a huge must for us). I couldn’t recommend a better company than Critter Gitters!
Joy Ione
5 Star Google Review
Joey Baker was highly recommended by the realtor who sold me my house. I saw what looked like termites, but Joey came right away and identified carpenter ants. I saved some dead ones in a zip lock bag for him to look at. He and his team treated the inside and outside of the house. It only took 2 treatments to get rid of the little critters. Don't do what I did. When they first started trailing out of the wall, I sprayed pesticide on them. Joey let me know to let them trail, otherwise they will go back in and make another colony.
Carol Dawson
5 Star Google Review
Critter Getters is always there when I need them!! They are prompt, competent and very reliable! You can certainly trust your staff at Critter Getters! They are the best!!
Wb Byrd
5 Star Google Review
Critter Gitters has provide great service for me for years. The local touch compares to no other. I’m grateful, and my children are as well, to be able to enjoy our backyard year round.
Greg Wassberg
5 Star Google Review
Whether one has bugs inside their home or outside, Critter Gitters offers the complete pest control services. Having mosquito issues outside, they have a service for that. Termite issues, they have a service for that too. Locally owned, and affordable. The technicians are also professional, safe, and understand that each homeowner has their own unique concerns.
Tyler Tabor
5 Star Google Review
We have been using Critter Gitters for years now and wouldn’t recommend anyone else! Joey is very professional yet personable and always has a smile on his face . He tries to make each service as easy as possible. If you’re looking for an amazing pest service experience…look no further!
READY TO GET STARTED?
Why Flea and Tick Pressure Is Extreme in East Texas
Houston County’s combination of warm weather, high deer populations, and wooded corridors creates year-round flea and tick pressure that’s among the highest in the state. Unlike northern climates where freezes interrupt tick cycles, East Texas ticks remain active nearly every month of the year.
Fleas are introduced to properties primarily through wildlife: deer, raccoons, opossums, and feral cats carry fleas into yards, and pets then carry them inside. Rodent infestations are a significant flea source — every mouse and rat carries fleas, and when rodents enter a structure, fleas follow. Treating fleas without addressing the rodent or wildlife source creates a cycle that never ends.
Wildlife removal and exclusion is often the first step in solving a flea problem that keeps coming back, even after repeated indoor and yard treatments.
The Lone Star Tick and Alpha-Gal Syndrome: What East Texas Homeowners Need to Know
The Lone Star tick — identified by the white dot on the female’s back — is native to East Texas and is the primary tick species on most Houston County properties. According to the Centers for Disease Control on tick-borne diseases, the Lone Star tick transmits ehrlichiosis, STARI, and tularemia.
Most importantly for 2025–2026: the Lone Star tick is the only known vector for alpha-gal syndrome. Alpha-gal syndrome (CDC) is an allergic reaction to red meat triggered by a specific carbohydrate transmitted through the tick’s bite. It affects an estimated 450,000 Americans, and its prevalence is concentrated in the southeastern U.S. — precisely where we live. If you develop unexplained red meat intolerance after a tick bite, see your physician immediately.
Our blog explains alpha-gal syndrome and the Lone Star tick in East Texas — what it is, how to prevent tick bites, and why professional yard treatment is the most effective defense for families with outdoor exposure.
Our Flea and Tick Treatment Protocol
Yard treatment targets tick resting zones: tall grass margins, brush lines, shaded ground cover, and the perimeter where lawn meets landscape. Fleas concentrate in shaded, humid areas where pets rest. We treat both simultaneously.
Indoor flea treatment — when infestations have moved inside — requires a combination of adulticide and insect growth regulator (IGR) to break the flea life cycle. Adult fleas are only 5% of the total flea population; the other 95% are eggs, larvae, and pupae in your carpet and furniture. The IGR prevents larvae from developing into adults, collapsing the population over 2–3 weeks.
Pairing flea and tick control with our mosquito barrier treatment creates comprehensive outdoor pest protection. Many homeowners in East Texas bundle these services through the warmer months for maximum coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My pet is on flea prevention — why do I still have fleas?
A: Pet flea preventatives kill fleas that bite your pet, but they don’t eliminate fleas already in your yard and carpets. If the environmental population is high, fleas keep attacking your pet faster than the preventative can work. Yard treatment reduces the source population so your pet’s preventative can do its job.
Q: How long after yard treatment before ticks are controlled?
A: Visible tick activity drops significantly within 24–48 hours. Full knockdown of all life stages takes about 1–2 weeks as residual product works through harborage areas. Monthly treatment during April–October maintains the most consistent protection.
Q: What is alpha-gal syndrome and should I be worried?
A: Alpha-gal syndrome is an emerging allergic condition transmitted through Lone Star tick bites that causes reactions to red meat. It’s increasingly prevalent in East Texas. Learn more at the CDC’s alpha-gal syndrome resource and talk to your doctor if you’ve had tick exposure and developed unusual food reactions.
Q: Do you treat for ticks and fleas at the same time?
A: Yes — our treatment addresses both simultaneously since they often share harborage areas and the same treatment products are effective against both. Indoor and outdoor treatment can be coordinated in one visit.
Q: How do I prevent ticks when walking in wooded areas near Crockett?
A: Wear long sleeves and pants tucked into socks, use EPA-registered tick repellent on skin and clothing, and perform a full-body tick check within 2 hours of returning indoors. Professional yard treatment significantly reduces tick exposure for the areas around your home.
process
Our Pest Control Process
Connect & Schedule
Your protection starts with a simple conversation.
Our friendly customer service team listens to your concerns, answers questions, and helps schedule an inspection or service visit at your convenience.
Inspection & Diagnosis
We Identify the Source
Our certified technicians perform a detailed inspection of your property — inside and out. We identify pest types, entry points, and contributing conditions to determine exactly what’s happening and why.
Customized Treatment
Science-Based Targeted Solution
Using proven Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, we design a treatment plan tailored to your home, pest type, and environment. We use precision applications — not overuse — to ensure safe, effective, and lasting results.
Guaranteed Results
Professional Service Guaranteed
Our trained specialists apply targeted treatments using the latest tools and environmentally responsible products. We treat interior and exterior zones, eliminate nests and harborage areas, and establish a protective barrier around your home.
Certified Local Expertise
Family-Focused Service
Guaranteed Results
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Homeowners Across East Texas Trust Critter Gitters
Science-Based Solutions, Never Guesswork
Science-Based Solutions, Never Guesswork
Integrity-First Service, Always
Integrity-First Service, Always
We lead with honesty and reliability. At Critter Gitters, integrity means fair pricing, clear communication, and doing the job right the first time—every time.
Training That Exceeds Industry Standards
Training That Exceeds Industry Standards
Our technicians undergo continuous training that goes beyond industry requirements, ensuring every service is performed with expert knowledge, precision, and the latest pest control techniques.
Certified Expertise You Can Trust
Certified Expertise You Can Trust
Our team is fully licensed and certified, bringing proven expertise to every job. You can trust Critter Gitters for safe, professional, and effective pest control backed by years of experience.
Guaranteed Results — Or We’ll Make It Right
Guaranteed Results — Or We’ll Make It Right
Your satisfaction is our promise. If the covered pests come back, so will we – 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
About Us
Critter Gitters Built on Experience, and a Promise to Protect
Family-owned and operated since 2006, Critter Gitters Pest Control has proudly served East Texas with trusted, science-based pest control solutions that protect homes, families, and peace of mind. Founded by Joey Baker, our company was built on the belief that true pest control starts with understanding the problem — not just treating the symptoms.
Experience the Critter Gitters Difference
When you choose Critter Gitters, you’re choosing more than a pest control company — you’re partnering with certified professionals dedicated to protecting your home, health, and comfort with integrity and care.
Our Expertise = Your Peace of Mind.
Our process begins with inspection and diagnosis, not quick fixes. By combining scientific precision, advanced training, and eco-conscious practices, we deliver results that last — not treatments that repeat.
Joey Baker, ACE
Owner & Founder
Packages
Bundle and Save 10% when you add Mosquito Duo Defense or Lawn & Ornamental to any package.
Package Includes
Essential Plan
Essential
Proven protection for everyday peace of mind.
Elite Plan
Elite
Complete coverage. Ultimate peace of mind.
Ants (Argentine, Rover & Odorous House)
Roaches (Peridomestic species)
Spiders, Millipedes, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Silverfish, Ground Beetles, Pill Bugs, and other occasional invaders
Interior and exterior treatments every 3 months
Targeted crack, crevice, and perimeter applications
Web and wasp nest removal up to 15 ft
Guaranteed re-service between visits if pests return
Rodent monitoring and exterior bait stations
Wasp nest removal up to 30 ft
Fire Ant treatment up to 20,000 sq ft
Full Sentricon® Termite Monitoring System
Carpenter Ant treatment
Additional Services
Need more than standard pest control? Our advanced services deliver customized protection for complex infestations, long-term prevention, and total peace of mind.
- Termite Inspections / WDO Real Estate Reports
- Carpenter Ants
- Fire Ants
- German Roach Clean-out
- Fleas & Ticks
- Rodent Trapping & Exclusion
- Arbor Jet Tree Injections
- Scorpion Plan
- Termite Treatments (Termidor and Sentricon)
- Bed Bugs
- Invasive Bees
- Mosquitoes
- Wildlife Trapping & Exclusion
- Lawn & Ornamental
Locations
Serving Families and Businesses Throughout East Texas
Anderson County
Anderson County
Leon County
Leon County
Walker County
Walker County
Trinity County
Trinity County
Henderson County
Henderson County
Madison County
Madison County
Montgomery County
Montgomery CountyFAQ’s
Common Questions from Our Customers
What pests are covered in your Essential Plan?
Our Essential Plan covers the most common household pests, including ants, spiders, roaches, silverfish, and occasional rodents. This plan is designed to provide year-round protection for your home and prevent infestations before they become a problem.
How is the Premium Plan different from the Essential Plan?
The Premium Plan offers comprehensive protection beyond the Essential Plan, including coverage for termites and carpenter ant control. It’s the total defense solution for your home and property.
Do you offer termite control or inspections?
Yes! We provide full termite control and inspection services. Our experts use advanced detection methods and safe, effective treatments to protect your home from termite damage and prevent future infestations.
Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?
Absolutely! All our treatments are family- and pet-safe. We use environmentally friendly products and methods that effectively eliminate pests while keeping your loved ones and pets safe.
Can I combine mosquito or lawn services with my pest plan?
Yes! You can easily add mosquito or lawn care services to any of our pest control plans. This lets you enjoy complete protection for your home and yard, all in one convenient package.
What areas do you serve?
We proudly serve Houston County and surrounding areas, providing reliable pest control services to both residential and commercial properties. If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just contact us — we’re happy to help!
