Spotting a cockroach, mouse, or other such creatures in your home can be terrifying. Pests can be a serious threat to your health and the health of your family. Luckily there are some very simple things you can do to save your home from pests’ invasion.
Infestation Identification
Pests can be identified as any kind of insect or animal that can deteriorate your living conditions. The impact of pests can range from being annoying to being deadly. Some of the common pests that can infest your house include flies, rats, mosquitos, ants, cockroaches, and bed bugs.
Most of these pests are found in urban and rural locations and are attracted mainly by food, water, and shelter. If you think your home or facility is infested, it is best first to check sites that offer all three needs, such as basements, dark corners, and holes. Then, you can get it evaluated by professionals.
How To Control Pests
Following are some effective steps that you can take to keep pests away from your home.
Keep Your House Clean
Use hygiene as a method to control pests. Clean any crumbs or spills right away. When your house is properly cleaned, there’s no food for the pests to feed on.
Make sure to clean your floors, and countertops, and dispose of your garbage regularly.
Wash your clothes, curtains, and bedding on a regular basis, especially if you see stains.
Some pests like ants, cockroaches, and flies love to feast on your leftover food, so keep it in airtight containers or mason jars.
Most pests are attracted to moisture; fix all the pipes and cracks in the shower, and keep your sink clean and empty to avoid attacks.
Repair All The Cracks and Holes
Pests can enter your house from even the tiniest of cracks, crevices, and holes.
Fill any holes or cracks in pipes, ducts, sinks, toilets, or electrical outlets to keep pests away from your home.
Check all the windows and doors and seal for any gaps and make sure to take care of ‘em. You may need professional help to get the job done. They will charge you money, but it’s a good investment as such repairs will not only prevent pests from attacking your home but may also add value to your house, offering a good return on investment.
Use Less Toxic Natural Pesticides
If you spot pests in your house, then try to use natural pesticides first. Natural pesticides like boric acid can be poisonous to some insects like ants and cockroaches, but it is way less toxic for humans and the environment.
Simply dust some boric acid on the cracks or crevices of your walls and corners. Insecticidal or fatty-acid soaps are other less toxic options to kill soft-bodied insects like fleas and mites.
Many volatile pesticides are also available on the market, however, read the label carefully before using them and strictly follow all the labeled instructions. They can be dangerous for humans, hence it is important to be careful.
Consider Pest Control Service
If you have tried all the prevention and pest control measures, but pests are still hanging around, then it is time to call a pest control Toronto service provider.
While you can take care of a few pests on their own, major infestations would require professional help. Pests multiply at a very quick rate, and neglecting ‘em can be very serious as some can make you ill or destroy your property.
Get in touch with a professional pest control company to take care of things. They have different machines and techniques to take care of all kinds of pests, from bed bugs to rodents to cockroaches.
Pest Control Methods
Once you have identified the kind of pest infestation, you have two main pest control methods; biological or chemical.
Biological
Biological pest control is the method where you use living organisms to eliminate the infestation. These organisms can be predators, pathogens, or even parasites. This is a natural method, and one of the most significant advantages of using this method is that you do not need to introduce toxic chemicals. Therefore, you do not put yourself or the environment at risk. However, one downside to biological pest control methods is that it is only feasible when you have minor pest invasions. Additionally, they take time to work.
Chemical
Chemical pest control is the use of chemicals such as pesticides in order to destroy harmful insect organisms. These chemicals are readily available and work much more rapidly than biological methods. Some chemicals even produce instant results. A common chemical pest control is a repellant. This solution deters pests that fly or crawl within its perimeter. One disadvantage of using chemical pest control is that they include toxins, which can pose a health risk. It can also damage the environment. However, the effect is usually temporary, and if you use the right kind of product, you can get rid of the pests without much damage.