Pest Control Mistakes to Avoid

If you find insects, rodents, or other pests in your home, you’ll want to deal with the problem as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Pest control can be challenging to do effectively without the proper equipment or knowledge. We have made a list of 10 common pest control mistakes that homeowners often make that let pests into their homes unknowingly. 

1. Not being proactive. Do not think out of sight, out of mind! Just because you may not see actual pests or pest-causing issues, there could be many in your home. Having a home free of pests requires a proactive, not a reactive, approach to pest control. 
2. Putting off the problem. With busy work schedules and the load of day-to-day home maintenance, it can be difficult to take on the responsibility of proper pest control, especially because it is another expense. It is important to remember that dealing with an infestation is ultimately much more costly and burdensome than taking thorough preventative pest control measures. If you notice a potential issue that may allow pests to enter your home, such as a problem with insulation or pipes, dealing with it in a timely manner is in your best interest. Considering that most pests reproduce rapidly, you already will have a problem on your hands once they make their way in. You should also remember that pests are typically in numbers: If you see one, there are most likely dozens that you have not seen. Fortunately, you can keep pests out of your home by promptly attending to problem areas. Termiguard offers reliable, stress-free service to make your life as easy as possible. 
3. Ignoring or not recognizing warning signs. Keep in mind that pests themselves can be hard to spot: they can be hidden, or too small to see. Often, however, they leave signs that they are there. If you see droppings, such as rat pellets or termite dust, this can indicate a significant pest problem, so you should react as if you have seen actual pests. For this reason, it is useful to be able to identify pest droppings so you can distinguish them from dirt or debris. 
4. Attempting “do it yourself” methods. DIY methods of pest control are often ineffective, and therefore, can allow a pest problem to fester over time. In addition to being ineffective, attempting to deal with pests on your own can be harmful to your house or dangerous to yourself and your family. There are many potential risks, for instance, of using pesticides when you are not a pest control professional. People will frequently spray a large amount of pesticides around an affected area, thinking the more they spray, the more effective it will be. This is an unsuccessful approach to pest control; you can often miss the problem’s source altogether. Sometimes, using the wrong pesticides can worsen your pest problem, particularly with ants. Termiguard controls pests using 30% less pest control product and no environmental runoff, giving our customers a pest-free home with an earth-friendly approach.  
5. Not tending to moisture problems. Many pests live or reproduce in water, and others prefer damp material to infest. For this reason, failing to tend to moisture problems in your home can contribute significantly to pest problems. Leaks or condensation on basement walls can erode walls, floors, or ceilings and open up more pests’ entry points. Cockroaches and many other insects thrive in damp areas, while mosquitoes lay their eggs in puddles. Standing water found in buckets, birdbaths, old tires, and more, can create breeding grounds for insects. Furthermore, wood-nesting insects like termites look for soggy wood (which can result from leaks) to infest. Damaged home structure can be tricky to spot for someone who is not a trained professional. 
6. Unmaintained outdoor space. Pest control measures can be taken outside your home as well as inside it. Overgrown bushes or shrubs can provide comfortable and well-hidden places for pests to burrow. This can be problematic if the shrubbery is directly outside or making contact with your house. Pests also like to cozy up in piles of firewood, which is important to keep in mind when stacking firewood outside your house and bringing it inside. As many pests are attracted to water or damp spaces, improper drainage around your house and pooling water can also cause pest problems.  
7. Giving pests any access to food. Make sure garbage cans both inside and outside of your house are properly secured. You should also remove trash regularly. Food should not be left out inside the house or outside of it. Additionally, food particles can remain on kitchen appliances, countertops, stove tops, or inside the trash can, so all of these surfaces should be kept clean. 
8. Clutter and disorganization. Clutter and disorganization both inside the house can cause potential pest problems. Consider where critters might want to burrow in cold winter months. Untidiness is also an issue because it can hide warning signs, such as droppings, that would otherwise be visible to you. You’ll never see the mouse droppings in your attic if you can’t even see the corners of the attic because of clutter. That said, even the most organized of households can have pest problems! 
9. Unsealed spaces. One of the most important aspects of pest control is insulation, which is not simply closing your doors and windows. Because many pests are tiny, they can make their way through even the smallest cracks or holes, ones you may not notice yourself, but trained professional workers will. Small holes in screens and vents, cracks in walls, and windows without proper insulation can provide entry points for all kinds of pests. 
10. Not maintaining consistent pest control. Pest control is a continuous, necessary aspect of home maintenance, just like cleaning or landscaping. It is not a one and done. Both preventative measures and follow-ups are necessary to keep pests out of your home. This is why Termiguard offers unlimited callbacks and emergency visits to help you maintain a pest-free home. 

If you think you’re making any of these pest control mistakes, contact Termiguard today!