Articles

All About Pest Control

YP Editors

Whether you own a home or a business, it's important to swiftly address pest control problems. Pests spread disease, and they can introduce germs to your environment that pose health threats. Certain types of pests can also cause costly damage to your property.

Residential Pest Control


Residential pest control starts with taking steps to make your dwelling less appealing to pests. This can include things such as removing sources of dampness and moisture, and making sure pests don't have a readily available food supply in your home.

When handling a pest infestation without professional help, there are certain dos and don'ts to keep in mind, many of which concern the use of pesticides. Some types of pesticides can be extremely toxic to both humans and pets, and there are measures to should follow when handling these harmful substances. For example, never reuse pesticide containers.

In addition, by gaining an understanding of the common issues leading to pest infestation, you can make sure your home is at less of a risk for an infestation. Taking certain steps, such as removing open trash and banishing sources of moisture, can work quite well to make your home less attractive to pests.

When handling a pest infestation, it's important to correctly diagnose the type of pest that has overrun the home, since this inform the best approach to take in getting rid of these intruders.

Termites


Termites consume wood and cellulose-based plant materials, and they can damage a home's structure. Termites make their presence known by leaving mud tubes on your home's walls, and winged termites might leave piles of discarded wings. Methods of termite control can involve the use of baits or liquid pesticides.

Ants


If there's an ant colony near your home, these pests will be present in large numbers, crawling over the kitchen counter and contaminating any food left on tables or counters. Ant control] can be tricky, since it involves conducting an exhaustive search to locate the ant colony's nest. Once the nest has been found, the ants can be killed by treating the nest with a pesticide.

Spiders


Many people have a fear of spiders, and this makes them one of the most dreaded pests. Spiders will bite under certain circumstances, and, if there are spiders in your home, there is a risk of being bitten. Things like reducing clutter will make your residence less appealing to spiders.

Rodents


Rodents are tenacious pests, who can bring germs and disease into your home. Rats and mice have powerful front teeth, and can use these to gnaw at and damage your property. They reproduce at a rapid rate, which can quickly intensify the severity of an infestation. Rodent control can banish these pests with the use of traps and baits, but it needs to be handled swiftly and thoroughly.

Wasps and Hornets


If wasps or hornets establish a nest on your property, they will be present in large numbers. They are stinging pests, and, if you are allergic, these stings can be dangerous and even fatal. Effective wasp and hornet control starts with locating the nest ,which can then be treated and removed.

Bed Bugs


Bed bugs were out of the news for a while, but they've undergone a resurgence in recent years. Bed bugs feast on blood, and they come out at night to drink it while you sleep. A bed bug bite can cause itching and welting. Bed bug control can be a challenging process, and it's typically best handled by an exterminator, as it can involve the use of methods like fumigation or heat treatment.

Commercial Pest Control


Commercial pest control should be a priority for a business owner. If pests infest a commercial property, this can make life unpleasant for employees and clients, and can put them at risk by creating unsanitary conditions. If word gets out that a business has a pest infestation, it could harm that company's reputation.

Food and Beverage Processing and Food Services


People expect their food to be prepared in a clean environment, and if your company is involved in food and beverage processing or food services, it's essential to take the steps necessary to ensure thorough and reliable pest control. If companies in these industries suffer pest infestations, they are subject to steep regulatory fines.

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical


Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies face unique challenges regarding pest control. Healthcare companies often serve those who are elderly or ill, and these people are especially vulnerable to the germs that pests can bring. To preserve the integrity of the goods they sell, pharmaceutical companies need to ensure that their products are created in a clean and pristine environment, which will be compromised if there is a pest infestation.

Hospitality and Logistics


Effective commercial pest control is also essential for hospitality and logistics companies. People who patronize companies in the hospitality industry expect an environment that is both welcoming and flawlessly hygienic, and a pest infestation will repel customers. Clients who use logistics warehouses expect their products to be stored in clean surroundings. If these products are contaminated by pests, it will likely result in lost business.

Multifamily Units, Retail Facilities, Schools, and Offices


Multifamily units, retail facilities, schools, and office buildings often house hundreds of people at a time, or more. These large structures are subject to infestations from pests like bed bugs, cockroaches, rodents, and flies. Given the size of these buildings, effective pest management can be challenging, but there are commercial pest control companies with the expertise and experience necessary to tackle the problem.
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