Patricia
It’s hard to say why we hate roaches so much. Perhaps it’s their oil shell, their hairy legs, or the fact that they can fly on a whim. Make no mistake, though: they’re incredible survivors and have been around for 300 million years.
To make matters worse, roaches are just one of the many types of pests in your home. All it takes is a tiny bit of leftover food to spark an infestation that lasts for months. And if you make the same common pest control errors at home as others do, you ruin any chance of stemming the tide.
In this guide, we’ll make sure your pest control methods are on point. Follow along for seven pest-control mistakes you might be making. We’ll even throw in ways to avoid them.
1. Pest Control Errors at Home: Reactive vs. Proactive Mindset
For most people, pest control methods are just a solution to an existing problem. You spot some rodent droppings and notice some holes chewed in your rice sacks. Only after the evidence appears do you deploy the fix: calling the best pest control.
This mindset is flawed. It’s a reactive mindset, rather than a proactive one. If you want to reduce the most damage from pests, you need to create a prevention-first household.
So, identify any potential attack vectors that pests can use. These could be gaps under doors, holes in the walls or roof, and so on. It might be food that is easy for critters to eat, or parts of the home that don’t get enough cleaning.
Whatever the case, change your mindset. Pledge to make it impossible for pests to ever get inside, rather than killing them off once they already have.
2. Leaving Your Grass to Grow Long
We get it, the last thing you want to do on a Saturday is mow the lawn. Sweating over a weedwhacker is far less appealing than going out for an afternoon movie. However, this could be biting you in the rear end in the long term.
The thing is, most people don’t realize that their yard can be a safe haven for pests, too. Overgrown, untrimmed, and unruly plants are great spots for creepy crawlers to hide. After all, that’s where they have roosted for thousands of years before humans built houses.
Cut your grass, trim your bushes, and weed your garden. It’s a pain, but you’ll thank yourself later when the extermination bill is smaller.
3. Not Identifying Other Potential Food Sources
Sure, your pantry is the biggest target for pests. But are they finding food in other places that you haven’t considered?
Take for example an open garbage can filled with smelly, rotten food. Sure, it’s not appetizing to you. Yet for a family of mice, it’s a smorgasbord.
So, take out your trash with regularity. Sweep your floors and dispose of your compost. Whatever critters can eat, remove it from your property.
4. Not Eliminating Stagnant Water
Everyone has stagnant pools of water somewhere in their yard. This could be a bucket full of water, or a dog’s drinking bowl. Even a puddle leftover from watering the grass.
Long story short, these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. If you have a mosquito problem, there’s a good chance you’ve got stagnant water somewhere nearby.
5. Using Pesticides for the Wrong Pest
Most people don’t think twice about pest control equipment. They grab the first bottle of pesticides off the shelf and go to town on their local ant colony. This is a mistake.
You may notice that most pesticide containers have a picture of the creature they are meant to kill. This is because each one uses a different chemical to do the job. The chemical that kills ants may not work on a different type of organism.
Using the wrong pesticide may not just be ineffective and a waste of money. It could actually make things worse. For example, using the wrong pesticide on ants could make their colony split and get bigger.
6. Not Keeping Track of the Seasons
Those disgusting creatures you want to keep out of your home aren’t all that different from you. At the end of the day, they want food and shelter. As the temperature drops, they need a warm place to stay just like you.
It’s around fall and winter when the rats, cockroaches, and everything in between move in. Mother nature has taught them well. They know that your home is a safe house with warmth and food.
It’s important to redouble your efforts before winter to keep critters out. Patch all the holes and go to town on the extermination. It will be much easier before winter arrives and they have already taken residence in your home.
7. Not Being Familiar with Regional Pests
The pests one deals with in Russia vary greatly from those in South Africa. Rats and ants are everywhere, but each world region has its own varieties. So, simply put, know your enemy.
If you live in the Deep South, then your biggest threat is mosquitoes. Tackling those pools of stagnant water, keeping fans on, and dehumidifying the place is what you need. Dealing with a hobo spider, on the other hand, requires a different approach.
Every pest has its habits and its tendencies. Take the time to research the most common pests in your area. You’ll be better equipped, and better able to spot the signs of them.
Take Care of Pest Control Today
Pest control errors at home allow pests to live alongside you. It’s important to have a proactive mindset and identify all the different ways your home makes itself cozy to critters. Committing mistakes like the above won’t just waste your time, it could make your pest control costs go up.
Follow our blog for more ways to stay on top of your home.
