One of the most distressing “everyday concerns” of a homeowner is the potential of pest problems. Every time we find one roach or a couple ants inside, our mind immediately jumps to, “are there more?!” Knowledge is the best tool against pest infestations. Knowing what draws pests into your home helps you keep them out.
Knowing what specific type of pest is your problem helps you eradicate them. And, finally, knowing the do’s and don’ts of pest control means you’ll have all the answers to solve your pest worries.
The Do's of Pest Control
Identify the culprit.
When it comes to pest control, your first item on the agenda should always be identifying the culprit. To effectively correct any pest issue, figuring out precisely which pest is your problem is a must. Knowing which species of ant or what type of bug is invading your home is a powerful tool to fight them.
Unfortunately, each different type of pest requires a different kind of treatment to effectively eradicate them. A product that may work to remove all of the roaches in your home will not necessarily work against any ants or wasps present. However, the good news is that the proper pest control measure should be easy to find once you identify the pest.
Sadly, science has not produced a one-size-fits-all product that can remove every type of pest invading your home. One single product that can eliminate all kinds of pests just simply isn’t a reality. Until that wonder product arrives, you should always identify the culprit before beginning treatment or laying traps.
Read the label.
Every pest control product on the planet is clearly labeled so that every user can correctly and safely utilize the product. When checking the label, you first need to ensure that you are using the correct product for your particular pest issue. Once you’re sure you’ve got the right container for the job, check the instructions to see where the product should be used. For example, if you’re working indoors, make sure it says “for use indoors.”
Always read the label to know exactly how much of the pest control product that you should use. It is critically important to note that…more is not better! Please do remember that these products are pesticides that can be harmful in too high of a dose. Please do not use extra pesticides for any reason.
Don’t ever mix pest control products to make a “better” or “stronger” product. It will not work, and it can be extremely dangerous.
Once you are finished with the pesticide treatment, leave the product in the original container with the label. Trying to store your pesticides in any other container can lead to disaster.
Children and adults have been accidentally poisoned by consuming pesticides that were stored in unlabeled random containers.
Once your pesticide bottle is officially empty or ready to be thrown away, read the label to learn how to properly dispose of the product and its container. Most pest control products are labeled “hazardous waste,” which means they need special attention. The label will tell you how to correctly dispose of it.
Many communities actually have a designated system for household hazardous waste items like pesticides. It is important to note that you should never try to repurpose a pesticide container. No matter how well you clean it, some remnants of the pesticide could remain and cause harm.
Use good pest prevention practices.
Good pest control begins with proper pest prevention habits. Following a few of these simple tips can dramatically improve your chances of avoiding pests in your home. If you know what you’re doing that draws pests in, you can stop and keep the pests out. Pay special attention to the list below if you suffer from repeated pest invasion.
Pests will enter your home when they are looking for food, water, and shelter. The best way to avoid pests in your house is to deny them what they seek.
1. Remove sources of food.
- Storing food away in sealed containers prevents pests from being able to smell them.
- Clean up spills and messes straight away.
- Regularly empty your garbage can.
- Don't leave pet food out overnight.
2. Remove sources of water.
- Don't leave pet water out overnight.
- Fix leaky plumbing.
- Empty water from trays under houseplants.
3. Don’t let pests make their shelter in your home.
- Clear away any clutter, like stacks of paper or cardboard.
- Don’t let items pile up, like laundry.
4. Block entry points to your home.
- Fix any gaps in the foundations.
- Repair any cracks or openings around your home.
- Check around doorways and windows to make sure there aren’t any gaps or openings.
Call a professional pest control company.
When facing small or limited pest problems, do-it-yourself (DIY) pest control can often be effective. However, one of the biggest problems with pest invasions is that most of the activity happens out of sight.
Although we may only see a dozen or so ants in our home, odds are good that there are many more hiding nearby. Infestations can spread like wildfire, and your best strategy for every pest issue is to work with professional pest control experts.
Hiring a professional pest control company is the best way to keep your home free of pests. You won’t need to worry about identifying your pest or buying/storing products. The professionals can take care of everything for you. They have the knowledge and the best, most effective products to get the job done right.
The Don'ts of Pest Control
Do not leave products or traps within reach of children.
When setting pest traps or using pesticides, always consider the children and pets that may live in or visit your home. Pest control products can be toxic and extremely dangerous to both people and animals. To protect the children and pets in your life, always block their access to pest control products.
Place traps and products out of the reach of children and pets. Strategically place traps in areas that are hidden like under or behind objects. You should also consider locking any cabinets or spaces where traps have been set.
If you treat the inside of your home with a pesticide, block the affected areas so children and pets can’t go near. When storing pesticides and traps that aren’t being used, keep them behind locked doors or stored high up.
Please always protect your children and pets by keeping pesticides and traps out of their reach!
Never use outdoor products indoors.
Before using any pest control product, you should always check the label to see if the pesticide is meant for indoor or outdoor use.
This is a crucial detail because indoor and outdoor products are made very differently. Outdoor products are designed to be much stronger than indoor products. This also means that outdoor products will remain toxic for much longer than indoor pesticides as well.
Indoor pesticides are created to be as safe and effective as possible inside homes. They break down much faster than outdoor products, making them much safer to be around in an enclosed space. So although it is burdensome to have to buy separate pest control products for indoor use and outdoor use, it is imperative to do so.
Don’t wait till the pests completely invade your property.
Pest invasions never end well with a “let’s wait and see what happens” mindset. Waiting to treat a pest issue can blow up in your face pretty quickly. Not only do the infestations spread like wildfire, but the pests can cause severe damage to your home and property.
Pest populations can explode remarkably fast. If you wait too long, the infestation can become both expensive and extremely difficult to treat.
We urge you to take action immediately after discovering signs of pests in your home. The sooner you get help for a pest issue, the better the end result will be for your family and home.
Pest Control Services with Gecko Green
To keep your home and family safe year-round, let the local pest control experts at Gecko Green help. Gecko Green will fortify your home with our complete Preventative Pest Control Program.
We’ll not only prevent pests from entering, but we’ll also eliminate any pests that have already established a presence within or around your home! We control pests with products and processes that have your family’s health and the environment as our top concern.
Our technicians are licensed and trained to deliver exceptional service and identify and address specific problems or conditions that would lead to an increase in pest activity. We are so confident in our program that we GUARANTEE if the pest’s come back, so do we!
