10 Things Pest Control Specialists Wish You Knew

One of the downsides of owning or renting a home of any kind is the thought of pests invading your space. When this happens, your immediate response is to phone the nearest exterminator, but odds are this problem could have been handled before it turned into an obvious issue.

Believe it or not, there are hacks to keeping your home pest-free that pest control experts want you to know. Here are 10 things pest control specialist wish you knew when it comes to handling infestation and keeping a pest-free home.

It's Best To Seek Help Early

Don't wait until your infestation has grown out of control or your DIY pest extermination methods have failed. According to our experts, seeking help early from a local pest company is beneficial for several reasons outside of controlling the issue.

"Pest control pros have the training, knowledge and tools to fix almost any pest control problem," Fredericks says. "But it's always simpler if a customer seeks help early before infestations grow to epic proportions or spread." Additionally, Bossel agrees, saying that small infestation turn into larger ones if left untreated. Bossel says that once you start to notice signs of pests in the home, it's best to phone your nearest company to keep the problem from growing.

Cats Don't Really Help With Mice

We don't want to burst your bubble when it comes to your precious feline, but the old myth that cats hate mice isn't as real as you think it is, according to our pros. "A young cat will help deter mice, but most are useless against rats," Calder says. While your cat may find excitement in chasing a mouse around your home, they won't eat them or harm them unless they're hungry.

Cleanliness Isn't Always The Cause

Whenever you're faced with an unplanned pest invasion, Bossel wants you to take the blame off yourself and push away thoughts that it's likely cause of you not keeping up with your weekly cleaning checklist. Sometimes, pests invade simply because they're able to.

"It doesn't matter how clean your home is because bed bugs, roaches, ants, and other pests will still invade it. The cleanliness aspect is not always the cause; sometimes there may be entry points and hiding spots," he says. To combat this issue, Bossel recommends sealing any gaps or cracks around your home's entryways so that pests have no way of entering the home.

You Need Regular Inspections

No, our pros aren't trying to push their services with this one. According to all three of our experts, scheduling regular inspections can play a major part at finding problems before they turn into major invasions. "Yearly or two-yearly pest inspections might help identify potential issues early on, saving you money and annoyance later on," Bossel says. Additionally, he notes that pest professionals have specialized equipment that isn't available to the public, so they're able to spot more problems than homeowners can, which leads to faster removal.

Your Home Relies On Moisture Control

"If your home has water leaks or high humidity levels fix them since many pests breed in such conditions," recommends Bossel. "They could include leaking pipes or excessive indoor moisture levels associated with indoor air quality issues." The best way to ensure your home has proper moisture control, according to Bossel, is to install weatherstripping to your windows and doors while also keeping your home well-ventilated. "Buy a dehumidifier for areas like basements that are damp. Pests such as ants and cockroaches breed more in moist environments," he says.

Certain Treatments May Harm Household Pets

Chemical solutions have been a long-term favorite for pest experts at getting rid of certain infestations, but there's caution that they can actually be an accidental killer when it comes to your household pets. "Poison is an indiscriminate killer, as 70,000 household pets per year are treated for accidental rodenticide poisoning," Calder says. "If you or your neighbor have a pet, then poison is not a safe option."

Integrated Pest Management Is Highly Effective

One of Bossel's favorite methods for tackling pest infestations is through the help of integrated pest management (IPM), which he says is highly effective for a lot of homeowners. "This approach combines multiple tactics such as sealing entry points, removing food sources, and applying safe pesticides only when needed. It is more efficient and sustainable," he says.

The next time you have to schedule a consultation with a pest expert, ask about the IPM options available for your situation.

Food Sources Are Causing The Issue

Remember how we said cleanliness sometimes isn't the issue for your pest invasion? According to our pros, it's the food sources you're unknowingly inviting the pests to enjoy. "Rats and mice will become 'pets' if you provide them with access to food, water, and harborage," Calder says. "They only exist in your home because of these reasons. Make sure all food sources are eliminated." Meaning, make sure you clean up after every meal, put away all ripe fruit and vegetables, and properly dispose of garbage in your trash cans. But, Bossel says it's important to routinely clean your trash can since, "Pests come around when there is leftover food waste or other debris in your garbage."

Understanding Behaviors Is Key To Prevention

One of the best tips our experts want you to know is that understanding the behavior of some pests is key to preventing a really big problem. "Knowing what attracts different types of pests can help keep infestations from happening," Bossel says. "For instance, bed bugs tend to travel along luggage; hence one needs to be careful while traveling."

Some Pests Are Harmful To Your Health & Home

It goes without saying that not every pest that enters your home posts the threat of becoming a nuisance. According to Fredericks, some pests post threats against your health and property, so fast extermination is crucial which comes from an inspection. "Mosquitoes and ticks can transmit serious and sometimes fatal diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease while home intruders like termites can cause significant property damage over time if left unchecked," he says.