It’s no fun to have pests in the home. Whether you see ants on the kitchen floor or spiders taking over the basement, it’s normal to want to take care of the problem on your own. And, in some cases, you may be able to. The key is knowing which pests are the problem, how to approach them, and which treatments to use. You wouldn’t want to start spraying chemicals if you have pets or kids, for example.
Below, we share the dos and don’ts of DIY pest control. If you have any hesitations, call Heritage Pest Control for a free estimate. With our safe, environmentally friendly products and comprehensive approach, we often turn out to be safer and more economical than DIY applications.
DO…
- Remember that prevention comes first. The best way to keep pests out is by making your home unattractive to them. Clean up spills and crumbs, don't let water accumulate, store food in sealed containers, and repair holes in the screens.
- Research the pest first. Know what you are dealing with. This way, you can choose the safest and most effective treatment option.
- Find the exact source of the problem. Often times, you need a pest control service to do this. For example, spraying carpenter ants won't fix the problem if you can't locate their nest; the queen will keep producing eggs.
- Choose the right pesticide. Most over-the-counter pesticides are not safe for children or pets. Read the directions, spray only in affected areas, and keep kids and pets away.
- Call a pest control service if you're unsure. When in doubt, call the professionals. It's never a bad idea to have someone look at the issue and give you an honest assessment of what needs to be done.
DON’T…
- Use too many pesticides. It's unhealthy and bad for the environment to keep spraying pesticides. If the problem isn't resolved, call a professional exterminator.
- Use outdoor chemicals indoors. If the bottle says to use outdoors, follow the instructions. Applying these chemicals inside the home will remain toxic for longer.
- Transfer pesticides to new containers. Like medicine, pesticides must stay in their original bottles with their original labels.
- Ignore the signs of an infestation. Some pests can be taken care of with DIY measures. However, infestations almost always require an exterminator. If you suspect a bigger problem on your hands, DIY measures can make things worse.
Heritage Pest Control is a family-owned and operated company that can take care of both pest and wildlife issues. We won’t use anything in your home that we wouldn’t use in ours!