Getting rid of pests in your house depends on what you don’t do as much as what you do. Here are 7 common pest control mistakes and how to avoid them.
If you find a mouse, cockroach, bed bug, or some other type of pest in your house, of course, you’ll want to remove the infestation. But pest control can be a challenging task, especially if you’re using home DIY techniques.
In case of a severe infestation, the chances of you making your home pest-free using DIY are low. Plus, many pest control mistakes are commonly made.
Let’s take a look at seven common pest control mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Being Proactive
Most people these days are super busy. There’s work to do, meals to prep, and appointments to attend. Then on top of that, many of us are trying to juggle exercise and a social life. With so much going on, it’s easy to put pest control on the backburner.
Many homeowners don’t consider pest control until there’s a serious problem on their hands and a ton of damage from pests. But this is a huge mistake.
Instead, it would be best if you thought of pest control as part of all the tasks you do to make your home functional, clean, and attractive. For example, vacuuming, cleaning out the gutters, and keeping the yard neat and tidy.
Preventive pest control is vital, so you don’t need to experience any problems. Being proactive will save you plenty of time, money, and hassle in the long run.
2. Ignoring the Problem
So, you’ve got a pest problem, now what? One of the worst errors a homeowner can make is ignoring this issue. Yet despite this, many people overlook a pest issue.
This may be because they don’t know how to deal with the problem or have the wrong information about pests. Many people believe that pests will go away on their own or that seeing a lot of pests is normal because there are more ‘pests in the spring and summer.’
But, these ideas aren’t correct, and ignoring pests will make it worse. Most types of pests reproduce quickly, which means that what could have started as a few pests that can be dealt with efficiently can transform into a severe pest problem.
3. Unsafe Practices
It’s easy to panic when you spot pests in your home. In many cases, homeowners want pests out of their space and pronto. But the problem with fear is that it causes many people to turn to ineffective or dangerous practices.
When conducting DIY pest control, many homeowners use too much pesticide in the hopes of clearing out the creatures quickly. When used appropriately, pesticides are safe. But applied wrongly, however, pesticides can be harmful.
That’s why many people opt for professional pest control, as these experts have been trained in pesticide application and how to use professional equipment.
Likewise, many homeowners have turned to unsafe DIY approaches to rid their house of pests. Some residents have even burned down their homes or apartment complexes using rubbing alcohol to get rid of bed bugs. However, of course, rubbing alcohol is flammable and is never recommended to destroy pests.
Unsafe techniques of using pesticides, insecticides, and repellents and more can bring about health issues to you, your children, and pets. If you do decide to do DIY pest control, make sure to apply pest control products properly. That’s whether they’re eco-friendly or chemical-based.
4. Proceeding Without Knowing the Cause
Discover the cause before you go ahead to eliminate the pests around you. Spraying on different types of pests helps, but you should find out where they’re entering the house.
For example, pests may enter your home from the drainage systems or a crack in the window. Pay attention to their entry points to cover them or deal with the problem more efficiently.
5. Not Cleaning Your Home’s Exterior
It’s easy to leave your yard wild, but did you know that messy and unkempt outdoor areas may welcome the pests into your home?
Be sure not to leave any standing water, rotten food, or trash outside your home. If you have a garden, rodents, ants, and other types of pests may set up residence there, so be sure to get it clean and tidy.
6. Wrong Baiting Practices
Some people leave bait for pests to try to catch them, such as for mice. But one mistake is not baiting after catching the pests.
You may have eliminated the adult pests, but the pest’s eggs or younger may still be in your home.
Keep baiting for a few weeks ahead, even if you’ve already caught some pests.
7. Not Following Up
Once a pest problem has been tended to, it’s easy to forget about pest control and preventative treatment. Once things go back to normal, you may easily forget that there was ever a problem.
Unfortunately, without following up, pests can quickly return. Remember, pest control should be an ongoing process. Please don’t believe that once a pest is eliminated that it won’t come back. Instead, keep checking for pests and making efforts to keep them out of the house.
That may mean regularly cleaning to keep cockroaches and other bugs away, assessing hotel mattresses so as not to bring home bed bugs, or covering gaps to keep mice out.
Don’t Make These Pest Control Mistakes
Avoid making these pest control mistakes for a home without unwanted creepy crawlies and creatures.
Every type of pest needs a specific treatment, and pest control services know how to handle them. For the best results of ridding your home from bed bugs, it’s recommended to go for a professional service.
At Official Pest Prevention, our licensed exterminators are professional, well-trained, and experienced to help you make your home pest-free for as long as possible.
Learn more about our residential pest control services here.
Official Pest Prevention is equipped to handle any infestations you may have. Whether you live in a commercial area or a residential one, if you say hello to us, you’ll be saying goodbye to those pesky bugs.
If you have any questions at all about our highly-rated services, then please feel free to contact us. We’re always eager to help out.
Official Pest Prevention is a family-owned, licensed pest control company celebrating 20 years serving over 100,000 satisfied customers in five area codes throughout Northern and Central California. Starting with a few contacts, and only four full-time employees, our small company has grown into an organization that today employs over 100 people, maintains a fleet of 75 vehicles, and has serviced over 100,000 Northern California households. This tremendous growth has come from loyal customers, who have recommended our work to their friends, family, and neighbors.
We are a full-service pest control company. Whatever your pest problem, we have a solution. Our goal is to make your property pest-free. Guaranteed. Contact us online or by phone (877) 711 2847 – for immediate assistance. Same-day bookings and flexible payment plans available – because pest invasions wait for no one.
