5 Smart Tips for Avoiding Costly Mistakes in Pest Control for Homeowners

When it comes to putting an end to pest invasions, mistakes are often made that lead to the same pest issue recurring or a different pest taking its place. To ensure the pests are gone for good, it’s important to focus on a long-term solution and avoid making the five common pest control mistakes that are outlined below.

1. Not Using Safe Pest Control Products: Many of the pesticides, baits, and repellents available for pest infestations are potentially hazardous to pets, children, adults, and the environment. It’s important to ensure that protective measures are taken with the use of these products and that the instructions are followed carefully. Natural alternatives can be just as effective, but it’s still important to research the product and read reviews in order to protect your family.

2. Not Identifying the Cause of the Infestation: It’s not enough to simply purchase a pest control product without first identifying the cause of the infestation. With apartment/condo communities, it’s important to find out if the problem is originating from a neighbor’s home, as this could contribute to a recurring problem. In houses, examining the structure to identify unsealed entries around the foundation and other seams is essential.

3. Neglecting Obvious Entry and Exit Points: Leaving windows and doors open or inadequately screened is an invitation for pests to enter your living space. Ensure areas of your home near the outside are well-sealed and properly screened to prevent pests from wandering in. Furthermore, if you use firewood for heat, try not to pile it directly against your home’s foundation as this can provide easy access for insects.

4. Not Keeping Your Living Space Clean: Pests are on the constant lookout for a fresh source of food and shelter. To make your place unappealing to them, make it a point to clean and organize on a regular basis. This includes deflecting crumbs in the kitchen, vacuuming all carpets several times per week, and properly disposing of all trash.

5. Using the Wrong Baiting Strategies: If you use bait to get rid of rodents or insects, then it’s essential to place the bait in their paths. For example, if you want to get rid of mice, then you wouldn’t place the bait in the center of the living room, but instead close to the walls, in dark corners, or near any entry and exit points. Additionally, it’s important to have some knowledge of the pests’ life cycles, as the young pests may still pose a threat after the adult generation has been killed off. To ensure all pests are addressed, baiting should be done for at least a few weeks.

In conclusion, properly addressing pest infestations requires accurate pest identification, utilizing safe pest control products, keeping your living space clean, and using the appropriate baiting strategies. By avoiding these five common mistakes and working towards a more thorough long-term solution, you can rest assured that your pest problem will soon become a distant memory.