10 Common Pest Control Mistakes

No matter what kind of pest you’re dealing with, there are some pretty common mistakes that many people make when it comes to getting rid of them. In fact some of these can make it so that you’re working against yourself and in effect running in place while the pests continue unabated. If you’re a novice first time pest remover who is doing the work yourself, this guide will walk you through many of the common mistakes and misconceptions so your pest removal process is streamlined and as efficient as can be.

1.       Mistaking a few individual insects for the entire colony

So you just saw a roach or two run across your kitchen floor. Maybe it’s late at night, and you flipped the light on only to find that you had some uninvited guests in your home. You might be thinking of just stomping on the insects you can catch and calling it a night. This is a mistake in several ways. The first thing you should be mindful of is the fact that if you see a few individual insects, particularly cockroaches and ants, there is and almost 100% certainty that there are multitudes more hiding behind the counters and in spaces you can’t even see. Because these insects rely on their nesting nature to survive, they will never show their full numbers at any time, and you must be aware that to truly get rid of the problem killing a few bugs is not enough. You have to think of the big picture when it comes to effective pest removal.

2.       Not following the manufacturer’s instructions

So you’ve decided to get serious and wage all-out war on the insects invading your personal space. This is probably the most daunting part of do it yourself pest control, and the stage of the process where most mistakes are made. Research is key to success in this area, and arming yourself with knowledge will help immensely. The fact of the matter is that the manufacturers of virtually all pest products have made quite a bit of information freely available both on the products themselves and the pests they are meant to combat. There is also a wealth of information online posted by various colleges and other educational institutions that will have you an expert on your insect enemy in no time. Once you have researched enough and feel confident in picking out the product or products that you will be using, it is vital to thoroughly read and comprehend the instructions for use, as this will be your guide for how to proceed with the next phases of pest removal.

3.       Not following up after application of products

There are a few products on the market that will allow you to do one application and forget about it. This however is not ideal for a large infestation of insects or one where the nest runs deeper than a few individuals on the surface, which is to say this is not ideal for the majority of infestations. For many products, more than one application is usually necessary to completely eradicate the pests, and retreating is rarely if ever a bad idea.

4.       Ignoring sanitation’s role in pest control

This is a huge and often overlooked part of a truly effective pest control regimen. The fact that virtually all pests are initially drawn into a home in search of food means that striving to keep kitchens and other similar areas clean is one of the most important parts of pest control, especially when done in concert with other measures such as the application of pesticides. Any food that is waiting to be prepared or eaten should be stored in airtight containers so its aroma cannot attract insects and rodents. In addition any trash or other refuse should be disposed of immediately because if it is left to sit it will prove an attractive nuisance to any opportunistic pests.

5.       Unknowingly creating places for pests to hide

Many pests such as spiders and roaches seek out dark areas of the home in which to hide when they are not out searching for food. This means that if possible in order to maximize the effectiveness of a pest control plan you should try to eliminate as many of these hiding places as you can find. Installing spare lighting in basements for instance can help reduce the number of dark and dry places that are attractive hiding spots for insects such as brown recluses and other dangerous spiders. Many pests such as roaches and ants are drawn to damp areas of the house, so again taking a bit of time to search for areas where dampness may be occurring and working to fix the problem can go a long way in helping to get rid of the problem by removing one of its root causes.

6.       Automatically assuming a professional knows best

For many people, the first instinct when a pest is seen is to reach for their computer and look up professional pest control businesses around them. This can be a mistake for several reasons. For one, the cost is much higher than merely doing the work yourself. Not only will there be a price premium for the products used, but you will also have no control over what is sprayed in your home, and will likely have little way of finding out exactly what was used. For many people this lack of control is reason enough to make the switch to doing the work themselves.

7.       Discounting or ignoring natural alternatives

Although chemical pesticides certainly have their place, there are also several natural solutions that can be a very valuable tool in the fight against bugs and rodents. For instance, if you’re dealing with any number of insects that have a protective outer shell or exoskeleton such as roaches and fleas, there are several naturally occurring substances that can make all the difference when it comes to controlling them. One such substance is diatomaceous earth, which has a structure on the microscopic level that causes tears in the insect’s outer shell which over time prove to be fatal. One great advantage of using natural alternatives such as this is the fact that they are completely safe no matter where they are applied, and can be used without worry around pets and children.

 

8.       Assuming that there is only one pest causing a problem

The fact of the matter is that if you have a situation in your home where there is a pest problem, the likelihood is that there may well be more than one type of insect or rodent taking up residence in your house. It is not uncommon for instance to see a home with mice in the attic and roaches in the kitchen, both drawn in by the same thing, be it food or shelter. When combatting one pest issue, it is a good idea to inspect other areas of your house for signs of different species that may also be living under your roof and creating havoc. Luckily if this is found to be the case, there are many different types of broad-spectrum insecticides that will give you the upper hand when it comes to dealing with multiple infestations.

9.       Jumping into a purchase decision without doing enough research

For some, the desire is to merely run out and purchase whatever pest control product they find, thinking that they’re all the same. This is erroneous and can lead to some issues that arise from being underprepared for the task at hand. For instance a fogger meant to combat a flying insect problem will be ineffective at best when dealing with a rodent or roach problem. So it is vital to research and understand what you’re up against before starting work on the issue.

10.   Ignoring a problem until it gets overwhelming

If there’s one thing that is true of all pests and infestations, it’s that time is most certainly a factor when it comes to their removal. If you wait too long or think the problem might go away on its own, unfortunately you are in for a bad surprise. For insects such as roaches, each generation can produce thousands of offspring, and eventually the problem will grow so large that it is beyond simple pest control measures. Therefore it’s important to get right into the action the second you notice any signs of a growing infestation.

By knowing these possible pitfalls and mistakes of home pest control, you should be able to approach any infestation with the knowledge that will make sure that you always have the upper hand in the fight against annoying and dangerous pests. By keeping some simple guidelines in mind, you can keep your home pleasant and completely free of pests in the long run.

To Learn more, please visit www.domyownpestcontrol.com.