The Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control 

Pests are commonplace in the United States, especially during the summer months. If you haven’t had a pest problem yet, it is only a matter of time before you jump on top of your chair, screaming, “pest.”

But if you are no stranger to pest infestation, then you know how critical eliminating them from your home is. In a bid to help you deal with your pest problem the right way, we spoke to one expert who specializes in pest control in Boise, ID, and here are some of his sentiments regarding the dos and don’ts of pest control:

Prevention should be your first line of defense

As the doctors say, prevention is better than cure. That holds true in the pest control world. If you can keep those pests out of your home, you can save yourself from a lot of headaches and financial obligations. Here are some ways to prevent pest invasion:

• Identify pests in your area and learn about their behavior
• Get rid of attractants from your home – food, moisture, and shelter
• Keep your surfaces clean
• Store food in the fridge or pest-proof containers
• Repair any leaking faucets
• Seal any entry points that give the pests access into your homes – cracks, crevices, holes, broken windows or doors
• Checkboxes and packages for pests before carrying them into your house.

Use pesticides the correct way

If you already have an infestation, you will need treatment (natural or pesticide) to treat your spaces and eliminate these pests. However, you will need to be careful while using pesticides because of potential harm that they can cause to you or your loved ones. To ensure safety:

• Keep children and pets away from where you apply the treatment
• Use baits in addition to the pesticide to trap rodents and insects
• Go for less toxic pesticides
• If the pesticide is not inside the traps or baits, only apply it on targeted spots as opposed to spraying it in the entire room
• Read and adhere to the label’s instructions
• Bring in a professional to help – they understand pest behavior and the right products to use
• Dispose of remaining pesticide and pesticide containers correctly
• Never apply outdoor pesticide indoors
• Don’t transfer pesticide to another container

Don’t use excessive pesticide

More is not better when it comes to pesticide use. As mentioned above, you should read and adhere to the label’s instructions. Using twice as much pesticide as you need to won’t solve the problem faster. If anything, it may only cause harm.

Call for a professional pest control expert

Pest control may seem like an easy fit for DIY, but it usually isn’t. What many people do not understand is that pests build their shelter in hard to reach places. It’s easy to treat what you see, but the problem usually lies with what you don’t see. Pest control experts have the necessary training, experience, and resources to inspect, identify, and eliminate all pests from your home. They also know the right treatment to use for different kinds of pests. With them by your side, you won’t have to worry about your safety and that of your loved ones.