What Is The Best Pest Control Method?
There are many motivations for us to want to control pests. They are damaging to our homes and property. They spread diseases and get into our food supply thereby ruining it. They cause disgusting messes with their droppings. Once an infestation has started, depending on the pest, they can be very prolific and we can quickly become overrun by them. It is very difficult to determine the best way of controlling pests because the methods to control them vary so much from one pest to another.
There are basically two types of pest control, lethal and non-lethal. Lethal methods can include such devices as roach and rodent traps, poisons, and others. Non-lethal types of pest control can include such things as electronic pest control devices and natural pest deterrents.
The best way to address a pest problem in your home is probably to use a combination of these two types of pest control. It will take some research and possibly some work on your part, but when properly combined, using both lethal and non-lethal means of pest control can be very effective.
The idea is to prevent the pests from entering your home to begin with. Using lethal means alone means that you have reacted to an pest problem after they have already entered your home. Damage could have already been done, even after the pest or pests have been eliminated. Killing the pest does not prevent another infestation from occurring. Potentially, you may find that you have the need to constantly keep traps baited and checked just to keep pests at a controlled level.
Although you usually know what type of pest you are dealing with by the time you start to do something about it, that is not necessarily always the case. Sometimes you see the signs that pests are present, such as damage to your home or property or found droppings from the pests. Other times you may hear them as they scurry about. The important first steps are to identify the pest and determine what is the most likely way the pest is entering your home.
After you have determined what pest you are dealing with, you can take steps to eliminate the pest and prevent a re-infestation. You can begin by setting up traps to kill the pests that have already entered. If possible, you should avoid the use of poisons as these pollute the environment and are a safety risk to your family and pests. If you have to use them, make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions for proper use of the poison to lessen the potential for exposure.
Next you need to take steps to close up the entry points. Sometimes it is as simple as replacing a rotting board that has cracked and opened up your home to pests. Depending on the pests, you can even find that planting certain plants around the perimeter of your home can help to deter them. For example, planting lavender around your house not only provides attractive purple flowers for you to view and smell, but also repels fleas and moths. Basil is another perfect example. Not only will planting this herb provide you with a great fresh seasoning for cooking, but the oils contained in it repel flies and mosquitoes.
The use of electronic pest control devices may help also. The verdict is still out on whether or not these devices are actually effective, there are studies that indicate that they are and others that indicate that they aren't. It does appear that at least some of the devices can help though. There are essentially two types of electronic pest control devices, electromagnetic and ultrasonic. In both cases they are said to make the environment inhospitable to pests, but when used properly they will not cause any harm or distress to people or pets. The best advice is to research the devices and chose one that you can return if it does not perform as you expect it to. That way you will not be out any money in the end. However, if the device works for you, then it can make your pest control efforts that much more effective.
With a little effort and research, most pests can easily be controlled. Taking a combined approach with lethal and non-lethal means of pest control seems to make the most sense. The key to your successfully controlling pests in your home will be consistence.
There are many motivations for us to want to control pests. They are damaging to our homes and property. They spread diseases and get into our food supply thereby ruining it. They cause disgusting messes with their droppings. Once an infestation has started, depending on the pest, they can be very prolific and we can quickly become overrun by them. It is very difficult to determine the best way of controlling pests because the methods to control them vary so much from one pest to another.
There are basically two types of pest control, lethal and non-lethal. Lethal methods can include such devices as roach and rodent traps, poisons, and others. Non-lethal types of pest control can include such things as electronic pest control devices and natural pest deterrents.
The best way to address a pest problem in your home is probably to use a combination of these two types of pest control. It will take some research and possibly some work on your part, but when properly combined, using both lethal and non-lethal means of pest control can be very effective.
The idea is to prevent the pests from entering your home to begin with. Using lethal means alone means that you have reacted to an pest problem after they have already entered your home. Damage could have already been done, even after the pest or pests have been eliminated. Killing the pest does not prevent another infestation from occurring. Potentially, you may find that you have the need to constantly keep traps baited and checked just to keep pests at a controlled level.
Although you usually know what type of pest you are dealing with by the time you start to do something about it, that is not necessarily always the case. Sometimes you see the signs that pests are present, such as damage to your home or property or found droppings from the pests. Other times you may hear them as they scurry about. The important first steps are to identify the pest and determine what is the most likely way the pest is entering your home.
After you have determined what pest you are dealing with, you can take steps to eliminate the pest and prevent a re-infestation. You can begin by setting up traps to kill the pests that have already entered. If possible, you should avoid the use of poisons as these pollute the environment and are a safety risk to your family and pests. If you have to use them, make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions for proper use of the poison to lessen the potential for exposure.
Next you need to take steps to close up the entry points. Sometimes it is as simple as replacing a rotting board that has cracked and opened up your home to pests. Depending on the pests, you can even find that planting certain plants around the perimeter of your home can help to deter them. For example, planting lavender around your house not only provides attractive purple flowers for you to view and smell, but also repels fleas and moths. Basil is another perfect example. Not only will planting this herb provide you with a great fresh seasoning for cooking, but the oils contained in it repel flies and mosquitoes.
The use of electronic pest control devices may help also. The verdict is still out on whether or not these devices are actually effective, there are studies that indicate that they are and others that indicate that they aren't. It does appear that at least some of the devices can help though. There are essentially two types of electronic pest control devices, electromagnetic and ultrasonic. In both cases they are said to make the environment inhospitable to pests, but when used properly they will not cause any harm or distress to people or pets. The best advice is to research the devices and chose one that you can return if it does not perform as you expect it to. That way you will not be out any money in the end. However, if the device works for you, then it can make your pest control efforts that much more effective.
With a little effort and research, most pests can easily be controlled. Taking a combined approach with lethal and non-lethal means of pest control seems to make the most sense. The key to your successfully controlling pests in your home will be consistence.