A pest control service
can help determine the scope of problem as well as help establish a plan to
minimize the chances that pests will return. By the time rodents, cockroaches,
Ants, Bed bugs or other insect are noticed in homes, it may already be too late.
The sign of a single pest can indicate a much larger problem. An experienced
pest control expert will narrow down the problem in a short period of time.
Expert
suggestions for making houses or commercial business buildings unwelcome to
bugs and other uninvited pests.
Make
seasonal checks: Rodents seek shelter during cold winter months, so it’s
important to check your homes for areas that may be susceptible to entry by
tiny animals. Even small cracks in the foundation or small holes in the roof
can be an invitation to squirrels, mice and other animals and bugs to enter
your home.
Remove
any wood piles or debris: Small animals and
insects often take shelter in moist and dark areas. Don’t allow soil or mulch
to build up around the foundation. Firewood should be stored away from the
home.
Trim
tree limbs and branches near the home: Animals like
squirrels and raccoons can scurry across them to make their way into attics.
Hiring a pest control service company to cut back overhanging limbs can remove
a possible point of entry.
Seal
holes or openings in windows and doors: Make sure they are
properly sealed and caulked to prevent entry from small critters and insects.
This will also make your home more energy efficient.
Secure
containers indoors and outdoors: Make sure garbage cans
and reycling bins are sealed and placed away from the house. If composting is
done, consider doing so in a closed-top bin, and keep it as far from homes as
possible.
Clean
the kitchen: Clear food from all surfaces, clean dishes every night, and
sweep floors of crumbs. To pests, kitchens could be perceived as a buffet,
keeping it free of food that’s easily accessible.
Schedule
regular inspections: Regular pest inspectons will avoid an
infestation or pest problem, have a professional periodically inspect and treat
homes or commercial business buildings before one occurs. Ask about potential
problems with termites, bed bugs or rodents.
“If
you’re like me, you’d rather not share your space with wasps, spiders, stink
bugs and other pests that often become more visible in the fall, any more than
you want to see cockroaches, termites or other bugs that cause problems
year-round. Fortunately, pest control pros have mechanical and chemical methods
tokeep homes or buildings less inviting to creepy crawlies.”
Hiring pest control: “It’s a good idea to
identify a reputable pest control pro for any critter crisis. Back in the
spring, I had to call pest control to deal with wood-eating bees that had
settled on our swing set and were scaring the kids.”
To stop
many insect problems before they get a chance to start, consider contracting
for periodic preventive services. These usually come with guarantees and can
cost $230 to $350 for an annual visit, $80 to $100 for quarterly, and $40 to
$60 for monthly service. Be aware that some pest
control services provide or focus on eco-friendly products and procedures.
•
Determine if state or locality requires licensing, including for the use of
certain pesticides or chemicals, and verify that the pest control service pro
is appropriately licensed.
•
Confirm that liability and workers compensation insurance is in place, as well
as bonding.
• Check
consumer reviews before hiring.
• Get a
detailed plan in writing.
• Be
sure to understand all costs and procedures.
•
Determine what guarantees are offered and understand the process to follow if
the treatment doesn’t work.
Let’s face it; pests and bugs are a part of life. The natural order of
existence demands that creatures thrive in the great outdoors, but unfortunately,
their adaptability has allowed them to sometimes flourish in the homes of
humans.
Although
such infestations can be rather annoying, they aren’t super expensive to get
rid of, in fact, there are plenty of effective, affordable pest control methods,
most of which do not include the use or application of harmful chemicals. The
need of an expensive specialist to rid of bothersome bugs is not necessary, but
if contending with an extremely large, voracious, or damaging
infestation, some professional pest
control inspectionsassistance should be sought out immediately.
Pest
control services are expensive Home remedies that cost way less recommended
Controlling
ants organically: Most ant species are easy
to control, and although you may be tempted to ignore one or two ants, this is
often the best time to attack them. Simply combine 1/8 teaspoons of powdered
boric acid with 1/2 teaspoon of honey and pour the concoction into a few bottle
caps. Then place the caps anywhere you have seen ant trails or scout ants.
Boric acid will only cost about $5 dollars for 12 ounces, and the honey is only
a few bucks at any supermarket. The sweetness of the honey will instantly
attract ants, and it won’t be long until the entire ant farm is laced with
poison. Before you apply this method, make sure to keep it away from children
and pets, as ants aren’t the only creatures who like sweet treats.
Natural
cockroach control: Although there are thousands
of different cockroach species, there are a few affordable pest control methods
that are effective on almost all of them. Each recipe for cockroach control
will only cost a few bucks, and chances are you already have the ingredients in
your kitchen cupboard. Equal parts of baking soda and powdered sugar placed in
a shallow bowl will do wonders on cockroach control. This sweet concoction will
attract roaches quickly, and the included baking soda will kill them with ease.
You can also kill cockroaches instantly by using a spray bottle filled with
water and Ivory soap. The soapy mixture is lethal to these types of invasive
pests.
How
to be free of Bed bugs: A very simple and
effective mixture can be created in your own kitchen for just a few dollars.
You will need 25 drops of pennyroyal oil and eucalyptus oil, one teaspoon of
“Cloud Nine” (a mixture of essential oils found in health-food stores), and a
spray bottle. Add the oils to the spray bottle and fill with water. Let the
concoction sit for 20 minutes before generously misting carpets, pets,
clothing, furniture or beds. This mixture is all natural, nontoxic and each
ingredient will only cost about $2 to $5.
Simple
cheap remedy for termites: Mix four tablespoons of
grape jelly, three tablespoons of canned cat food, and one tablespoon of boric
acid for a quick and effective termite solution. Place a pinch of this recipe
into any area you think termites might be nesting and wait. Hopefully, the
workers will bring this mixture to feed the queen and offspring (much like
ants), and the boric acid will go to work. Be sure to repeat this process a few
times a year.
