Dealing with pests is never fun for homeowners. It's one of the many things that other people don't warn you about when buying your first home, and a lot of people learn the hard way how important keeping up with pest control really is.
Because not everyone talks about it, there are plenty of people who don't actually know what pest control is. Of course, it's exactly what it sounds like: controlling pests. But what people don't know is that there's so much that goes into effective pest control measures.
Pest control is more than just a battle against bugs, and the experts at Greenix are here to bring a little bit of fun to the fight by teaching you everything you need to know!
Pest Control Decoded: The Basics
Pest control is all about treating existing pest infestations, managing pest activity, and preventing future infestations. There are many methods for treating different pests, but all of them aim to eliminate pests and provide a healthy, happy home environment.
Different Types of Pest Control:
Chemical: This type of pest control involves the use of natural or synthetic chemicals. It's effective in treating pests but must be used by professionals only.
Biological: This type of pest control uses other living organisms to control pest populations. This is considered one of the most natural approaches, but it cannot treat all pests.
Physical: This form of pest control is quite literal. It uses physical barriers to guard your home from pests.
Mechanical: This type of pest control involves using baits and traps to catch rodents, but it is not suitable for every type of pest.
Know Thy Enemy: Common Household Pests
By and large, ants, roaches, rodents, and spiders are some of the most common pests that people deal with across the U.S. These pests all have unique characteristics that make each of them difficult to get rid of.
Ants are small enough to fit through even the tiniest cracks and crevices, and they live in massive colonies.
Cockroaches can swim through pipes and reproduce rapidly, leading to almost overnight infestations.
Rodents have ever-growing incisors that require them to chew on hard things, like the foundation of your home.
Spiders hide in hard-to-reach areas and abandon their webs to make new ones, in some cases, on a daily basis.
No matter the pest, the solution lies in pest control practices! A comprehensive approach to pest control would be a service that includes a little bit of everything. You want to work with a company that offers spider control because it treats not only the spiders but also the pests that attract them to your home in the first place. Each pest control service complements the others, giving your entire home the level of protection that it needs.
*Fun Fact: Cockroaches can live up to one week without their head! Because they use openings in their abdomen to breathe rather than a nose, they can continue to live until they starve or become dehydrated! Talk about resiliency!
DIY vs. Professional Pest Control: What's Best for Your Home?
Pros of DIY Pest Control:
You can buy stuff from the store easily
You can keep track of where you've sprayed the chemicals
It might be able to save you some money on very minor pest control measures
Cons of DIY Pest Control:
Pests easily adapt to and overcome store-bought products
Store-bought and natural solutions don't have enough potency to treat severe infestations
You may not be able to identify the pest problem you have
You may not be able to locate the root cause of your pest problem, leading them to come right back
You may end up wasting money on store-bought products that don't actually work
Top 3 reasons to consider professional pest control:
Knowledge/Experience: Without proper knowledge, treating persistent pests can be nearly impossible. An understanding of their behaviors is necessary to locate and treat them effectively.
Effective Tools/Strategies: Understanding pests can help the experts develop an effective plan tailored to your home. With professional equipment, the experts can eliminate pests.
Maintenance Tactics: Professional pest control doesn't just treat pests; it prevents future pests from infesting your home. Maintenance is key to keeping pests at bay and requires a keen eye for potential pest activity.
Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Wanted to Know About Pest Control
Q: Is pest control okay around my pets and family?
A: Yes! At Greenix, our services are kid and pet-friendly!
Q: How often should I get pest control?
A: This varies based on the area you live in. A quarterly schedule is a good rule of thumb for most places in the U.S.
Q: Can I do pest control myself?
A: Of course you can! It just may not be effective. Store-bought products are typically not potent enough to treat any serious pest issue, so it tends to be faster and more affordable to go straight to the experts.
More questions about Greenix? We are always happy to answer. Simply reach out to us to learn more about each of the services we offer.
