Pest Control 101
Let’s be honest: When it comes to owning a home – there seems to be a lot of expenses involved in keeping it up and running, one of which is pest control services.
However, no matter what environment you live in, every home is prone to pest problems. Whether it be bed bugs, ants, rodents, termites, spiders, roaches, or a combination of those, pest management plays an essential role in keeping your home up and running. If you have minimal knowledge of how to control unwanted pests in your home, you are not alone. Insect problems affect literally everyone, especially homeowners – who have to worry about protecting their property and those who reside inside it. Even so, you can rest assured knowing that now-a-days, modern pest control companies offer an abundance of pest control solutions to meet every homeowner’s needs.
Although treading through waters of the pest control industry can feel exhausting, pest control experts are the only trained technicians who can safely and effectively apply pesticides. Attempting to eradicate common pests yourself is not only a dangerous route, but usually an ineffective one. I’m guessing you aren’t a pest control professional, thus you lack the equipment and proper in-house training to efficiently complete a thorough extermination of your household pests.
Considering those facts, it’s best to hire one of the reliable pest control companies in your area who offer integrated pest management services. From termite inspection to pest control products and rodent control, pest control professionals are seasoned experts in providing great service by eliminating any and all unwanted pests.
In this guide, we will list the many reasons why you should hire a company that employs trained pest control workers with a wide range of experience exterminating unwanted pests of all kinds. In addition, we will cover the steps you should take in order to achieve pest management, and how to choose the right pest control companies in your area.
Get ready to become an expert in hiring the right professionals in the pest control industry!
Preparing Your Home for Pest Control Services
Believe it or not – hiring pest control technicians to exterminate the unwanted guests in your home, doesn’t come without a little preparation work on your part.
In order to achieve an effective pest elimination, you (as the homeowner) must take action beforehand to get the pests out, and keep them out. Don’t worry too much, the prep work on your part is fairly standard. Prior to inviting pest control professionals into your home, you should make sure to thoroughly clean each and every space.
Now, it is important to mention that the preparation work you need to complete beforehand will depend on what type of pest problems you’re experiencing. Although you may not know the extent of your pest problems prior to your professional inspection, it’s likely you’re aware of what insects have made themselves comfortable inside your home. With that said, follow the preparation instructions laid out below for various types of pest problems.
Preparing for Cockroaches Extermination
The most common form of cockroach extermination these days is by use of gel bait insecticides. This process consists of the placement of small gel bait beads in areas where cockroaches are known, or expected, to harbor. First, you should perform a deep clean throughout your entire home. Once you’ve done that, you need to commit to keeping your home as clean and neat as possible for long-term success once the pest control professionals have come to exterminate the cockroaches. It is especially important to keep garbage cans empty, and leftovers sealed in the fridge and pantry. This will make the gel bait insecticides more appealing to the cockroaches.
Preparing for Ant Control Services
Similar to cockroach pest control services, pest professionals usually use gel bait insecticides to eliminate ant problems, including those involving carpenter ants. Pest control workers will place small gel bait beads in areas where ants have been seen trailing. Basic preparation includes thorough vacuuming, cleaning up any spills, making sure food is stored properly (this includes garbage cans being emptied regularly), and cleaning your home.
Preparing for Rodent Control Services
Unfortunately, if you’ve seen one rat or mouse inside your home, there is a good chance that an entire family is also residing somewhere inside. The best way to ensure that rodent pest control services are effective, you should repair all holes in the walls and along baseboards of your home. Make sure that any doors that do not seal properly are fixed. Also, make sure all items on top of your fridge and beneath your kitchen are cleaned up and cleared out.
Preparing for Spider and/or Termite Control Services
The best way to prepare for termite and/or spider control services, is to move all furniture, appliances, and stores materials away from all interior walls by at least 3 feet. Pest control technicians use the same products and techniques to exterminate spiders, as they do to exterminate termites, and they need that extra space to spray chemicals. Also, if closets are to be treated, be sure clothing and other contents are removed and covered, so as to protect them from pesticides that will be sprayed by pest control professionals during your extermination appointment. It is important to contact a professional pest control service to get rid of spiders, especially in certain states such as Utah, due to the fact that many spiders in the state are poisonous.
Identifying the Cause
Regardless of whether or not you think you’ve located the source of your pest problem, there is always a chance of the infestation returning.
The best way to eliminate a pest problem entirely, is to identify the root cause of the problem. Pest control experts can fully exterminate the unwanted guests in your home. However, the only way to ensure that they don’t return, is to abolish the source. There are several ways in which pests enter a home, and from there, reproduce.
Most common ways that pests sneak into your home:
They hitch a ride into your home via latching onto your jacket, shoe, or grocery bag
The weather drives them in – if it’s particularly cold or hot outside, pests will find a way into your home (thanks to the comfortable temperature)
The pests have “claimed squatters’ rights”, this is common for new homeowners. If you’ve recently moved and you’re already experiencing a bad pest problem, there’s a good chance the pests were already there before you moved in
You’re leaving food out, and they’re attracted to the leftovers
Experienced pest control professionals with years of service in the field are able to recognize the most likely origin of an infestation, thus can help you completely eliminate the problem. You may have spent a considerable amount of time and money trying to discern the problem yourself, without any success. A common misconception is believing that a clean and organized home will guarantee a pest-free one. Oftentimes, even the most pristine of homes still have a problem with pest invasion.
Proper Elimination
A professional pest control company hires pest control workers who are highly trained to discern what method of removal will be the most safe and effective. In addition, it is nearly impossible for someone without specialized training to replicate the quality results that a pest professionals’ top-of-the-line equipment can produce.
Here are a few of the most common types of pest control:
- Mechanical – Mechanical pest removal is simply a way to describe the direct removal, or killing, of pests. This method includes using barriers, such as screens or row covers, trapping, weeding, or the removal of pests themselves by hand. This method is used outdoors, working best in garden areas or orchards.
- Biological – Biological pest control is used for large, widespread areas such as large orchards, farms, and food production facilities.
- Chemical Pesticides – Chemical pesticides are synthetic compounds formulated specifically to target specific pests, particularly insects. This is the most common type of pest control, and is mainly used to kill insect pest development. The varying strength of chemical pesticides can be toxic, and should only be applied by licensed pest control technicians.
- Natural or Organic – Natural or organic pest control is derived from natural extracts, such as plants. Although this method of pest control is considered to be more “safe”, it is also significantly less effective than other methods.
Here are the most common Household Pest Control Solutions:
- Sterilization – Sterilization consists of the mass rearing of a species, treating it with X-rays or another method, and releasing the newly sterilized pest into the wild.
- Fumigation – Fumigation pest control involves the sealing of a structure, then fogging it with liquid insecticide for an extended period of time. This time period is generally one to three days in length. Though this technique is expensive, and the structure in which it is applied must be vacant for an extended period of time, this may be the most efficient household pest control solution.
- Poisoned Bait – Poisoned bait is the most common method used for controlling pests like rodents, birds, ants, cockroaches, and a few other pests. This method involves spreading bait which contains poison to extinguish the pest problem.
Proactive, Not Reactive
The truth of the matter is: Grabbing the bull by the horns is always the best way to prevent pests from re-entering your home.
By hiring a good pest control service, you’ll not only receive effective extermination and a professionals insight regarding the source of your pest problem, but also a list of preventative measures you should take to ensure the problem does not return. After your pest control appointment, be sure to pull your exterminator aside, and discuss the next steps you should take in order to prevent another invasion from happening.
Most pest control companies offer packages or punch cards, offering their services several times a year at several-month intervals. The best way you can safeguard your home from pests, is to schedule a treatment every few months. By doing so, you will be taking care of your home and the health of those inside. In addition, you won’t have to worry about pests returning, and you’ll avoid any future expenses related to the damage pests can cause to the structure of a home.
Choosing the Best Pest Control Company
When it comes to insect and rodent problems, it’s important to choose the right pest control company. That means doing your homework so that you can find a company who will effectively eliminate your pest problem. Below, you’ll find a list of strategies you can use to determine which pest control company would best serve your needs.
Things to consider when evaluating pest control companies:
Qualifications –
Are all the pest control technicians at the company required to carry up-to-date licenses?
Does the company keep their staff informed of any and all changes in regulations, products, techniques, and safety?
Does the company use Integrated Pest Management techniques?
Is there a certified entomologist on staff?
Reputation –
Have you asked your friends, family members, co-workers, and/or neighbors for local pest control company recommendations?
Have you asked the company(ies) you’re considering for customer references or reviews?
Experience –
How many years has the company been in business?
Do the new pest control technicians train with senior technicians?
Does the company have prior experience dealing with/treating pest problems such as the one you are experiencing?
Customer Service –
When you ask questions, do the employees listen and address your concerns with respect?
Are the employees trained to identify the pest, explain the extent of the infestation, as well as provide details regarding the pest and its behavior? Can the employees tell you how to prevent the pest from returning after they’ve exterminated it?
Are the employees open and willing to discuss product selection options and other details regarding the treatment with you?
Value –
If you ask for it, can the company provide an estimate for their services in writing?
Try to get estimates from more than one pest control company so you can compare their rates and services.
Does the company require you to sign a contract? If so, what does the contract entail/include? What is the cost?
Does the company provide any guarantees for their services? What are the terms and conditions?
Safety –
If interested, will the company discuss low-toxicity options with you?
Does the company have insurance to cover you, your property, and their employees?
Does the company require all technicians to wear protective gear and equipment when necessary?
Do they have preventative measures set in place, which they will take in order to prevent unnecessary exposures and accidents?
Take note of the following items regarding all the pest control companies you’re considering:
- Full contact info for the company (name, phone number, email address, physical address, etc.)
- A list of names of all employees who will be performing the work
- Time and date of the inspections/treatments
- Names of all products they are planning on using in your home
- If you feel necessary, note the formulation of each product and where that specific product will be used in your home (for example – is the product a gel bait, spray, or dust?)
- List any preparations you will need to make prior to the treatment
- Potential health effects and/or precautionary information in case of accidental exposure post-treatment
Successful pest control treatments require communication between you and the company. Be sure to ask questions and make sure you understand the treatment(s) which will take place, and your responsibilities in making that treatment as successful as possible.
Conclusion
When all is said and done, it is worth investing in professional pest control services in order to safely and effectively exterminate your pest problem. When insect and rodent infestations get ignored, your home’s structure and value decline. Worse yet, you and your family’s health will be at risk of disease and other serious illnesses, even death. Utah Pest Control is here to help you find the right pest control company that will meet all of your extermination needs. We recommend only the best pest control service providers, who are licensed and thoroughly trained in the field of pest extermination. You can rest easy knowing your home is free of unwanted pests, and your family is safe from the diseases they spread.