- (301) 829-0060
- Mt. Airy, MD
- info@pestshieldinc.com
At Pest Shield, we have applied Termidor® HE termite treatments to Frederick County homes since 2011, operating under Maryland Department of Agriculture license #30263 with certified applicator credentials (MD #19058). Owner Troy Yowell brings approximately 35 years of pest management experience to every termite job, and on-staff entomologist Jeffrey Allwine performs termite protection treatments directly. The company was voted Best of Frederick, MD Pest Control in 2021 and holds a 5.0 rating across 338+ reviews.
How it works
Four steps. No surprises. Same answer whether it's your first call or your tenth.
You reach Troy or someone on his team directly. No call center, no dispatcher, no routing.
Same-day or next-day for most calls. Emergency stinging-insect situations and real-estate WDI deadlines get priority.
We identify the species, locate entry points, and find the source — not just the symptom.
Written recommendation, straightforward pricing, no obligation. If you don't need treatment, we'll tell you.
Most Frederick homeowners discover termites in one of three ways: spring swarmers appearing near windows and door frames, mud tubes running up foundation walls or crawl space piers, or damaged wood found during a renovation or real estate inspection. Eastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) are the species responsible for nearly all termite damage in Central Maryland — they live in soil colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands and forage silently into wood structures year-round.
Subterranean termites don’t go away on their own, and surface treatments like over-the-counter sprays don’t reach the colony. Effective treatment has to do two things: stop the active foragers in the structure and eliminate the colony in the soil. That’s the work Termidor HE was designed to do.
60+ years of combined experience. Tell us what you’re seeing — we’ll come look, no obligation.
Troy was prompt in responding to my request for a termite inspection. He was honest in his inspection and cost estimate. He did a good job applying Termidor HE termite treatment around my house perimeter and in my porch slab and garage. Troy also applied additional treatment on areas where there were high concentrations of bugs (ants, crickets, etc.). Overall, Troy is an honest and knowledgeable pest control professional.
Tapan Suthar · July 2013 Read on HomeAdvisor →
Troy seems to genuinely like what he does and to educate his customers. He came to appointment ahead of time, explained things thoroughly, even taking me to crawl space under house to show where termites were entering house. Price was very competitive: price per linear foot was lower than other company and estimator from other company had included perimeter of a shed which, from my understanding, should not have been included because shed has no foundation, so not subject to invasion by termites. Work performed on time and as advertised. As indicated by others, a knowledgeable, competent and honest gentleman.
Otto Louis-Jacques · December 2015 Read on HomeAdvisor →
Troy was very friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. He was able to work with my historic home (with difficult access) and treat for my termite infestation. He was very reasonable with cost as compared to other quotes, especially the big pest companies (which I would not recommend). He was incredibly respectful of my newly planted grass and garden (as he had to maneuver his supplies through it to treat). He even helped to troubleshoot a leak in that part of the house. His communication was very clear and thorough as well. Initial inspection and treatment were prompt! Would definitely recommend.
Julia · May 2022 Read on Google →
General pest & rodent control
Pest Shield uses Termidor® HE — a fipronil-based termiticide that is the documented standard of care for subterranean termite treatment. Every job starts with a free inspection. Troy or Jeffrey Allwine walks the property, evaluates the foundation, checks the crawl space, and identifies entry points and active areas. For older Frederick homes with difficult crawl space access, this inspection step matters — accurate diagnosis determines where the product goes.
The Termidor transfer effect. Termidor HE doesn’t repel termites — it relies on the way termites groom and feed each other. Foragers that contact treated soil carry the active ingredient back to the colony, transferring it to other termites through normal social contact. Within roughly 90 days, the entire colony — including the queen — is eliminated. This is what makes a one-time application effective; you’re not just killing the termites you can see.
Where the product is applied:
Interior access is typically not required. The treatment works from the soil outward.
Delivered under the Termite Warranty Plan:
Pricing is calculated by linear foot of foundation perimeter, and Troy provides the worst-case estimate up front. When the job turns out simpler than anticipated, customers are charged less than the estimate — this is documented across the review history. Termidor HE is EPA-approved and applied to soil around the exterior; once the treated soil dries, the area is safe for children, pets, gardens, and pollinators. Troy advises on any property-specific precautions during inspection.
Owner
Founded Pest Shield in 2011 after years as a pest management contractor on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Around 35 years in pest management. Personally handles or leads the majority of service calls.
Pest Management Specialist
Field technician handling residential and commercial service calls across Frederick, Carroll, and Montgomery counties.
Pest Management Specialist
Field technician handling residential and commercial service calls across the service area.
Our Entomologist
Consulting entomologist on species identification, conducive conditions, and treatment strategy for difficult cases.
Frederick sits at the western edge of the Piedmont, where clay-heavy soils run deep along the Monocacy River corridor and through the surrounding farmland. The city’s historic district is built on a mix of stone foundations and older wood framing, while newer development extends south toward Urbana and west toward Middletown and Myersville along I-70 and US-40.
That mix of soils and construction is what drives Frederick’s termite pressure. Clay holds moisture, which sustains the large subterranean termite colonies common to Reticulitermes flavipes. Historic city homes often have direct wood-to-soil contact and tight crawl spaces, while suburban construction disturbs soil and brings foraging termites to the surface — spring swarms here are routine. Homeowners dealing with broader seasonal pest pressure alongside termites may also want to consider pest control in Frederick for year-round protection.
Roughly 90 days. Termidor HE works through the transfer effect — foragers pick up the active ingredient from treated soil and pass it to nestmates through grooming and feeding contact, which spreads it through the entire colony including the queen. Active termites you can see typically die off faster, but full colony elimination takes about three months. Pest Shield’s Termite Warranty Plan includes a 100% effective guarantee — if activity returns during the warranty period, we re-treat at no charge.
No. Termidor HE is applied to soil around the exterior foundation and beneath porch and garage slabs — interior access usually isn’t required. There’s no need to leave the home, vacate pets, or relocate during treatment. Once treated soil dries, the perimeter is safe for children, pets, and pollinators. Troy walks through any property-specific precautions during the free inspection.
The Termite Warranty Plan stays with your home through annual renewal as long as the warranty is kept active. If termite activity returns during a covered period, Pest Shield re-treats the affected area at no additional charge. Renewal terms and any renewal fees are reviewed directly with you so there are no surprises — Pest Shield’s documented practice is straightforward pricing and no upsell pressure.
The active ingredient stays effective in treated soil for over 15 years, which is why Termidor HE is delivered as a one-time application rather than an annual program. The warranty itself is renewed yearly to keep coverage active, but no additional product application is required unless conditions on the property change — for example, major landscaping, an addition, or soil disturbance that breaks the treated barrier. In those cases, Pest Shield can re-treat the affected area.
Two reasons: soil and construction. The clay-heavy soils across Frederick County hold moisture well, which is exactly what eastern subterranean termite colonies need to thrive. Older homes in Frederick city often have stone foundations, tight crawl spaces, and direct wood-to-soil contact that create easy entry points, while newer construction in areas like Urbana disturbs soil and exposes foraging colonies. Spring swarms are routine here, and most first-time termite calls in the county come from homeowners who spotted swarmers or mud tubes during yard work or a renovation. For a comprehensive look at termite control in Frederick, MD, including inspection and treatment options, our dedicated termite service page covers everything you need to know.
