Homeowners generally think they’re doing themselves a favor and saving big bucks by handling their own pest control. However, the reality is that they are usually doing themselves a disservice by not employing a trained, experienced professional to eliminate the problem for good. Do-it-yourself pest management efforts often end up a failure because of the lack of knowledge most people possess about the task, and it leads to a worsening situation. Here are some of the most common errors made when trying the DIY approach to pest control.
Misuse or Overuse of Pesticides
It’s easy for someone inexperienced to misuse or overuse pesticides, which frequently occurs during DIY pest control. People that don’t know much about the negative effects that pesticides can have on the environment and their own health, or just don’t care, are quick to purchase over-the-counter products and apply liberally all over the yard and in every nook and cranny inside.
Typical mistakes that homeowners make with pesticide use is administering too much, combining products that shouldn’t be mixed, spraying in windy conditions and using the wrong kind of chemicals for a particular infestation.
Not Getting to the Root of the Infestation
If your first reaction is to immediately stomp on or spray any bugs that come into your line of sight in an attempt to kill them off, you’re not alone. This is what most people tend to do, but it isn’t always the best line of defense. There are many pests that live in colonies (like ants and bees), and even if you get rid of the one or two you see roaming around your home, that means the rest have been left somewhere else and you’ll soon be contending with them as well.
The best course of action to take is to find out where the source of the infestation actually is and treat the entire colony accordingly. The benefit of using a pest control expert is that they know the habits of various insects and exactly where to look for them.
Only Inspecting For Pests During Daytime Hours
To get an accurate assessment of possible pest situations, inspections should be done at different times of the day. Many homeowners only search during daylight hours, completely missing all the insects and rodents that come crawling out at night. A quick sweep of the property generally won’t allow you to come to the most valid conclusion on your need for pest control.
Believing There isn’t a Problem if Pests Aren’t Physically Seen
Insects and rodents are masters at hiding in the smallest, darkest cracks and crevices of a building, so just because you may not see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Without periodic inspections conducted thoroughly by a professional, you could unknowingly be living with pests that are leaving germs and destruction in their wake, wreaking havoc on your health and home. A good example of this is termites since they can go undetected in the depths of a home for years, all the while feeding on wood and causing major structural damage.
If you know you’ve made some of these mistakes yourself, take extra care to correct future problems with the help of a pest control professional.
About the Author
Tiffany Olson blogs full time on home related topics. She loves sharing info with the public via social media platforms. Some favorite hobbies include camping, reading, and cooking.
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