Terminix Said The Attic Was “Too Hot”… Then Tried To Sell Ventilation
Howdy,
This one is for homeowners who are doing their best to take care of their house… and still get hit with a sales pitch that sounds “technical” enough to feel real.
A neighbor of mine had Terminix out for pest control. Within minutes, the conversation drifted into attic ventilation and spraying chemicals in the attic “because it’s too hot up there and that makes it perfect for rodents.”
Here’s the problem: that’s the second time I’ve heard a Terminix rep use the exact same logic — and both times it was on newer construction homes.
“Every attic feels too hot. That’s not a diagnosis — that’s a sales script.”
Let’s be honest: attics are hot by design
If you’ve ever stuck your head into an attic in Texas, you already know the truth: it’s miserable up there. That does not automatically mean the attic is “wrong.”
Yes — many attics can be under-ventilated in the real world. But “it’s hot” is not a valid measurement, and it’s definitely not a reason to let a pest salesman redesign a system that was professionally engineered to work as a complete assembly.
Rule of thumb: If someone is trying to sell you attic ventilation, they should be qualified to evaluate ventilation — and they should be able to explain how they’re measuring performance, not just how it feels.
Why a pest company should never be your attic ventilation advisor
Pest control companies are there to address pests. Period.
When they start advising on attic airflow, intake/exhaust balance, or “adding vents,” you’re often hearing someone talk outside their lane — and you’re taking a risk you don’t need.
“Ventilation is a system. Random ‘add-ons’ can short-circuit the airflow and make things worse.”
That short-circuiting piece matters. You can create paths where air takes the easiest route (instead of moving the way it was designed to), which can reduce the effectiveness of the ventilation you already have.
The bigger safety issue: spraying chemicals in an attic with HVAC equipment
This is the part that bothers me the most.
Many newer homes have HVAC equipment and ductwork in the attic. If someone sprays chemicals up there, you’re introducing the possibility of those chemicals being pulled into return air pathways or distributed through the home.
“If your HVAC is in the attic, don’t let anyone treat the attic like it’s ‘separate’ from your living space.”
Could some treatments be used safely under the right conditions with the right product and method? Sure. But that decision shouldn’t be made casually, and it definitely shouldn’t be packaged as an upsell add-on because an attic felt hot.
My advice in plain language
- Hire pest control for pests. Keep the scope tight.
- Be skeptical of attic ventilation upsells from anyone who doesn’t specialize in building performance.
- Think twice about attic chemical applications—especially when HVAC equipment/ducts are up there.
- If you want a second opinion, get it from a professional whose job is to evaluate the building — not sell add-ons.
Need a pest company that stays in their lane?
If you want a pest/termite company that’s local and reputable — and not a giant national chain that tries to sell everything under the sun — I’d point you to:
Reminder: I’m not saying ventilation never matters. I’m saying pest sales reps should not be the ones advising it — and homeowners shouldn’t feel pressured into attic “fixes” based on a temperature opinion.
Want a straight answer about your attic?
If you’ve been told your attic is “too hot,” “not ventilated,” or “perfect for rodents,” and you want a professional, building-focused opinion — I can help you separate real conditions from sales noise.
Schedule a Consultation
Howdy [ˈheɪ-ow-dee] — Southeast Texas regional greeting.
Used once for formal, twice for informal. The slower it’s said, the warmer it feels. A word reserved for friends and family — never for foes.