What to Know About Residential Pest Control
Termites and ants can eat away at the structure of your home, causing costly damage to your property. If a home has are spiders, there is a risk of being bitten, and there are a couple of species whose venom is toxic to humans. Rodents can bring germs and disease into a home, and they can cause structural damage to your property with their powerful front teeth. Wasps and hornets can create colonies on the property, and this might increase the likelihood of someone receiving a painful sting. Finally, with a bed bug infestation, you might receive bites that can cause welts and itching.
Causes of Pest Infestation
There are certain common issues that lead to pest infestation[, and knowing what they are, means you'll be able to take steps to avoid them. Below are some common causes of pest infestation.
Readily available food. Pests are often drawn to a home because they're on the hunt for food. Intruders such as rats and cockroaches will eat just about anything, and, if there is open trash available, it will serve as a magnet for these pests. Discourage pest activity by taking care to store trash in sealed containers. All food that's not stored in the refrigerator should be kept in a sealed jar or bin.
Dampness and moisture. Pests need water to thrive, and if there is dampness or moisture in your home, it can serve as a water source for these intruders. Make sure leaks around the house are promptly addressed, and take care to clean clogged roof gutters so you can avoid the standing water that comes with this kind of buildup.
Structural problems. Pests need access points to gain entry to your home. Gaps and cracks in your home's structure make it simple for pests to make an appearance. If you are aware of these kinds of openings and cracks, it's a good idea to take the time to make sure they are properly sealed.
Successful Pest Control
If you've been hit with a pest infestation, there are certain dos and don'ts of pest control to keep in mind as you address the problem.
- Start by removing all food sources for pests. This includes everything from open garbage bags to crumb-filled pet dishes. If there is no available food around for them to scavenge, pests will likely find another home to target.
- Take steps to remove clutter. Clutter is catnip for pests, and intruders such as spiders love the cover it provides.
- Approach pesticides with care. Pesticides get the job done, but they can also be very toxic to humans and pets. Nontoxic alternatives are offered, and these should be your first choice in your battle to banish pests from your home.
- Don't get heavy-handed with pesticide use. People often think that more is better when it comes to pesticide use, but this is not the case. Follow the instructions on the bottle. If you use more than the recommended amount, you could be increasing the risk of toxicity for those in your household.
Proper Diagnosis Is Essential
To successfully get rid of a pest, you need to know exactly which type of pest you're dealing with, and making this diagnosis can sometimes be tricky. In some cases, the problem is clear-cut because you can see the pests (or their remnants).
In other cases, the pests themselves aren't visible, and you have to go by the damage caused to make a guess as to which type of pest is the culprit. This can lead to misdiagnosis, which slow efforts to banish them. An extermination approach that's appropriate for one type of pest might be totally ineffective on another.
For this reason, it's a good idea to get professional help when dealing with a pest control problem. A trained pest control expert will be able to quickly figure out which type of pest is responsible for the infestation. Additionally, if there are structural problems at the root of your pest infestation, a l professional will be able to quickly identify them.