Did you know rodents and insects carry a lot of harmful diseases that can affect you and your family?
A well-cared house isn’t always a free pest house. That’s why homeowners need to pay close attention to every sign that can indicate pest presence. Also, when buying a home is really important to get a pest inspection to make sure there aren’t any invaders.
Pest will always find a way into your home if you don’t keep them out. That’s why in this article, we gathered experts in pest control and pest control inspection to give you the best insights to protect your home from uninvited guests.
Q: Why do Clean Homes Still Get Pest Infestations?
Just because your home is clean doesn’t mean it’s immune from a pest infestation, AND it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, so don’t beat yourself up too much. Pests are almost always looking for three things: food, water, and shelter, and they are determined to find it. They don’t need much of it either to get comfortable. We always recommend homeowners do these things to help with the pest management around their homes.
1- Make sure there are no gaps in windows or doors. These can be sealed with weather stripping or caulk.
2- Seal areas around plumbing fixtures.
3- Make sure to seal up any open food in pantries like cereal, sugar, flour, etc.
4- Check water spigots outside to make sure they aren’t left on or dripping.
Outside of these things having a regular visit from a pest professional is a great idea to help keep unwanted pests under control.
Josh Schiffman | Sage Paste Control
Q: Who is responsible for pest control, landlords, or the tenants?
The answer to that has some variables. Local ordinances can impact the question. As an example, in Chicago, bed bugs are always the responsibility of the landlord. In other locations, it varies. In Chicago, if the “regular” pest issue involves two or more units, it is the landlord’s responsibility. Most municipalities have some ordinance where the landlord is responsible for providing a “vermin” free-living situation. Good landlords realize that spending a few dollars on pest control could save a renter or provide a defense if the renter skips on a lease. What is the cost of a unit sitting vacant for even one month? Much more than the cost of a pest control service in the unit.
Kevin Connelly | A-Alert Exterminating Service
Q: Why Pest Control Is Important?
Pest control is an important industry that protects public health and property by removing unwanted pests from occupied dwellings and businesses. Pest control is essential for maintaining public health and protecting from dangerous diseases.
Kristof L. Czeczko | Hulett Environmental Services
Q: Why do you recommend hiring a professional when it comes to a pest control issue?
Pest control professionals are trained to determine what exactly you are dealing with, figure out the source of the issue, and treat accordingly to get rid of the issue and help prevent it from happening again. Most of the bait or chemicals that professionals use are accessible to the public, but it’s not just about using the right chemical or bait. It’s knowing the correct way to use them in order to get rid of the problem that is at hand. You hire a professional to take care of the issue because they have the expertise to figure out what the situation is, what bait or chemical needs to be used, and how it needs to be implemented.
Noah Gamble | All Seasons Pest Control
Q: What do homeowners need to consider when hiring a pest control professional?
When it comes to pest control companies, experience and licensing are keys to success, which applies to hiring any contractor for your renovation and repair projects. Given that these pest control companies work with chemicals, safety and industry standards are important to adhere to, and they’re closely monitored by government agencies to ensure compliance.
As a consumer, you want to do a background search on these companies, in addition to license checks and referrals, looking at any complaint history that may show up online. Googling their company name, the owner’s name, and checking with your local BBB are some ways to do this. Reviews will reveal both the good and bad, so don’t skimp on this task.
Insurance is another thing you want to look for. General liability, bonded, and Workman’s compare the minimums you want to look for, and coverage amounts may vary. Guarantees are another perk you want to have, so look at different companies and see what they offer in terms of duration. Ask questions and confirm that their services will deal with your particular situation.
Get everything in writing, and be sure to read through the fine print to ensure you’re getting what you expect and that it’s included in your signed agreement.
Finally, don’t let costs be your guide; less expensive services may indicate cutting back on quality work, workers who are not covered by workman’s comp, and lack of proper insurance. In the end, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to be sure they hire the best company for the job.
Jody Costello | Contractors From Hell
Q: What are the benefits of natural pest control?
Many of the chemicals employed by pest control services can be toxic to both humans and pets — especially when used over extended periods of time. On the other hand, natural and homemade control methods are not only safer than most commercial pest control products, but they are also just as effective and occasionally cheaper. You will not need special equipment, and you are likely to already have many of these items in your pantry.
Best of all, you will avoid potentially toxic chemicals while also being mindful of the environment.
Some examples of effective natural and homemade pest control methods include Diatomaceous Earth, Apple Cider Vinegar, Coffee Grounds, Borax, Epsom Salt, Baking Soda Soap Mixture, Peppermint Ant Spray, Citrus Spray for Food Plants, Garlic & Clove Pest Control Spray and Pepper Pest Repellent.
Deborah Smikle-Davis | Urban Naturale
Q: What are the most common signs when having a pest invasion?
To tackle a potential pest infestation, you need to be familiar with its tell-tale signs. One of the things you want to look out for is the droppings (from bed bugs or mice, for example).
Also, if you often hear a tapping noise coming from your walls, that may mean you have termites. Any sound or smell out of the ordinary may be a sign of concern, so it’s important to be aware of the warning signs so you can take action as soon as possible.
As you can see, taking care of your home when it comes to pests may be a difficult task to achieve, but if you get help from professionals, things can be done more quickly and in the correct way. Also, if you are well informed, you can prevent them from getting into your home. Either way, you can say goodbye to pests forever, or at least for a very long time.
This Q&A is still developing.
