Pest Control 101: How to Get Rid of Pests the Right Way
Pests are the bane of any home, office, or other space. They can leave your clothes smelling musty and your carpets covered in dirt. And they can even cause structural damage to your property. Luckily, you can get rid of pests the right way by using a pest control service that is professional, safe for humans and pets, and effective at getting rid of the problem. If you’ve never had a pest before or need some tips on how to get rid of them without harming other creatures or innocent bystanders, read on!
Understanding how pests function inside your home will help you determine what type of service you need to address the issue. You don’t want to call an exterminator if you can handle it yourself; after all, you should be able to trust that anyone providing services in your home is doing so with good intentions. Keep reading for a rundown of everything you need to know about getting rid of pests safely and effectively at home.
What is a Pest?
One of the first things you need to understand is what a pest actually is. Pests are a type of animal that is detrimental to the ecosystem because they feed off of plants and animals. Unfortunately, this means that humans have to be the ones to do all of the work when it comes to getting rid of pests. Humans are the only species that can pest control, which means that we can choose whether or not to bring them inside our homes.
Unfortunately, other species are either unable to do this or simply do not have the ability to choose if they want to enter your home. These pests include termites, carpenters ants, mice, rats, and many others. Pests can be hard to tell apart from other critters, especially if you have a few in your home at once. However, they are typically larger than spiders, have visible wings, and leave behind visible droppings. You can also look up pest identification images online to help you identify what you’re dealing with.
How to Get Rid of Pests: The Basics
– Find the source of the infestation – Pests are drawn to food and moisture, so start there. Examine your house to find out where the pests are coming from. If you know that there is food around, like a leaky can of beans, or water on the ground. Like a puddle left by a leaking pipe, then you know where the infestation is coming from.
– Eliminate your food and water crumbs – When you eliminate the crumbs that draw pests in, they will starve. Seal up any crumbs with a lid, like in a cabinet where you keep dry food, or remove them completely, like from your countertops. Seal up any crumbs that spill outside of their original containers, such as from your cupboards or from your dog’s bowl.
– Get rid of crumbs outside your home – Pests are drawn to areas that have abundant food sources. Including bird feeders and outdoor pots and plants. Sprinkle salt or sugar around outside pots and on sidewalks to keep pests away.
– Create a barrier outside your home – The boundary of your home is what pests are trying to get into. If you have a brick house, clay soil is okay, or concrete, the surface of the soil should be smoothed. Surrounding your house with a tall fence, you can stop many pests from getting in .
– Eliminate clutter – Clutter is how pests nest and raise their young, so get rid of anything that is not being used. Empty out drawers and closets, and throw out anything that is not being used.
– Eliminate hiding places – The places that pests are hiding are the ones where they are feeding and breeding. Turn off any lights that are being used for heat lamps, or remove plants that are shading outdoor lights.
DIY Home Pest Control Tips and Tricks
If you’re ready to get started on getting rid of your pest problem, here are some helpful tips and tricks that will make the process easier.
– Examine your home for clues – If you know that the pests are coming from a particular area, like a leaky pipe. Then you can look around at that area to see if there are any clues as to where they are coming from.
– Eliminate food sources – This one is pretty self-explanatory. The pests will leave your home if you provide no food sources for them. Eliminate food crumbs and spills, seal up any crumbs outside your home that spill. And get rid of clutter that is not being used.
– Create a barrier – This can be as simple as a tall fence, which will stop pests from getting inside.
– Eliminate hiding places – This one is straightforward as well; get rid of anything that is not being used.
– Repel pests with essential oils – This method is best used if the others do not work, as it is safer.
– Vacuum and dust regularly – These are effective at getting rid of pests, whether they are inside or outside your home. Dust inside rooms with a vacuum, and vacuum out cracks and crevices outside.
– Sweep up and clean outside regularly – Sweep the ground outside regularly so that the dust and dirt are being pushed to the outside of the home and not being re-fed inside.
– Avoid using pesticides – Pesticides are dangerous to humans and the environment, so avoid them whenever you can.
Types of Exterminators
– Inspections – Most companies that provide pest control services offer inspections, which are usually free. This allows the exterminator to look at the pest problem and see where the problem is coming from.
– Pest control – This is usually given to people who have a severe pest problem. They will usually need to call an exterminator.
– Sweeping – This is an effective way to get rid of pests, as sweeping gets rid of their hiding places. like dust bunnies and rodent nests.
Pros of Using an exterminator
– They are trained professionals. Obviously, this is the most important thing about using an exterminator. You want to hire someone who is experienced and knowledgeable about getting rid of pests safely.
– They have the right tools. All exterminators have the best equipment and technology available so that they can treat the problem safely and effectively.
– They have enough experience. No one wants to be treated by an exterminator who is new to the job, because they could make a mistake that could harm your family.
– They charge a fair price. Like any service, exterminators have to make a living, so they have to charge a fair price for their work.
– They are insured and licensed. If anything were to go wrong during the treatment process. The exterminator is protected, and they are licensed and regulated by their state.
Conclusion
Pests are pesky, persistent, and can be dangerous if left unchecked. The best way to get rid of pests is to hire a professional pest control company. Make sure they are properly trained and licensed. This will ensure that they will protect both the customer and the public from harm. Hiring a qualified and experienced pest control company will help you get rid of your pests safely and effectively, and it will also keep your home and family safe from dangerous pesticide exposure.