Home pests have been a source of discomfort for all of humanity since time immemorial. Many techniques have been developed to fight them with varying levels of success. Nevertheless, many of these techniques and beliefs continue to be widely held despite the evidence that they don’t work. Don’t let disinformation waste your time and money. When facing a looming pest problem, the best thing to do is to conduct wide-ranging research. The best place to start is by talking to your local pest control professional. But for now, let’s revisit 6 of the most common pest control myths.
Pests are a result of a dirty home
It is in your best interest to keep your home clean, but it’s a mistake to think that pests infest only homes that are dirty. Pests come into your home looking for three important things: Food, water, and shelter. Even though a dirty house may make it easier for pests to find food, it doesn’t mean that they can’t find water and shelter. So strive to keep food and water out of reach and make sure your house is tightly sealed, especially around doors and windows.
Cheese attracts mice
Although no mouse would decline a nice chunk of cheddar, the reality is that mice are scavengers and will eat just about anything. In fact, what really attracts mice are sugary foods like peanut butter or fruit. Nuts, grains, and your pets’ kibble also ranked high on their list so keep those foods stored safely.
Pets hunt pests
Do cats keep mice away? Yes and no – many homeowners think of their pets (particularly dogs and cats) as natural pest predators. Pests may become less visible, but most likely stick harder to reach areas that are out of reach from your pet, such as between walls and art ducts.
Bug Zappers kill mosquitos
Bug zappers are great at killing bugs. Unfortunately, they have no effect on mosquitoes or biting flies. A slew of research studies has concluded that bug zappers are a waste of money and counterproductive. Worse, when any bug gets zapped, many of its body parts get vaporized and misted into the surrounding area, where they can be easily breathed or ingested.
You don’t need professionals until infestations
A proactive approach against pests can save you from stubborn infestations and damage remediation costs. Many homeowners believe they can take care of pest problems on their own. It is true to some extent, but for a long-term solution, professional help is very much needed. Most over-the-counter sprays are repellents, which are designed to repel pests away. Unfortunately, this does not address the cause of the problem and only works to spread the problem around. This is why we recommend hiring a professional pest control service as soon as possible.
Pest Control or prevention is dangerous to health
This misconception prevents people from taking proactive prevention steps. Although some of the chemicals used by professional pest control can be harmful when improperly applied, pest control companies place a strong emphasis on social and environmental responsibility. For this reason, it is even more important to depend on experienced professionals that are trained and certified to spell handle the chemicals.
Are you familiar with any of these pest control myths? If you have questions or would like to learn more, contact us today. We can help you sort out facts and fiction regarding the behavior of household pets and the most effective methods to control them.