Pests can pose a serious threat to your family’s well-being, your garden, and your household, as a whole. Rodents and cockroaches have the potential to spread life-threatening diseases, while termites can cause significant damage to your home.
Luckily, the only tools you’ll need to get rid of household pests is some creativity, few household products, and some basic knowledge of pest-control methods.
While there may be some infestations that demand the expertise of an exterminator in Kansas City, DIY pest control solutions can be useful in-between pest control appointments and routine maintenance. But if you want professional full-spectrum exterior pest prevention service, contact Greener Grass’ pest control services.
Essential steps for effective DIY pest control
DIY pest control can be effective when done properly. Here are some important steps you should take to ensure successful execution.
Identify the pest properly before treatment
Correctly identifying the pests that are terrorizing your home will help you select the best DIY pest treatment method. It will also allow you to customize your pest control method of-choice to guarantee the best results. Being aware of the type of pests you’re dealing with may even prevent the recurrence of pest infestations.
To identify these tiny intruders, scour your property thoroughly and search for evidence such as droppings and chew holes. Since most pests prefer staying out-of-sight, these clues will allow you to identify the type of pests that may be lurking in your garden or in the dark corners of your basement.
Locate common entry points
Next, identify the accessible entry points pests can use to enter your home. Areas around the doors, windows, roofline, and foundation are the most common entry points for unwanted pests.
Sealing or blocking these entryways using DIY methods can prevent future invasions. Without intervention, ants and roaches can squeeze through the small openings, while rodents chew their way into your home.
Determine the right treatment
Most DIY pest control methods do not require special equipment or expertise. They only demand your dedication and a few hours of your time.
For roaches, a baiter will get the job done. Remember, if you eliminate any food scraps or stray crumbs that may attract them to your home, you’ll have the greatest success. If your home is infested with mice, you will want to experiment with traps and baits. The same method applies to termites, place traps along the perimeter of your home, and let them work their magic.
What are the benefits of using DIY pest control methods?
It’s cost-effective
Do-it-yourself pest control is far much cheaper than hiring an exterminator. You can dodge overwhelming labor costs, and you’ll only need to buy a limited supply of pest control products.
You are in control
DIY pest control allows the freedom to handpick the products best-suited to your pest control needs. Some commonly-used chemicals are hazardous. With this in mind, account for all the areas in need of treatment, and restrict access to common living spaces coated with potentially-toxic DIY solutions,.for the safety of your kids and pets. Avoiding accidents should always be your first priority.
Convenience
When you oversee your own pest control, you can fight household pests on your own time table. Scheduling an appointment with an exterminator can be difficult, especially when you have to maneuver your own busy schedule and the availability of your local exterminator.
For those of you who value privacy, controlling pests on your own accord is a cheap and easy way to keep your home a private sanctuary. Unfortunately, some pest exterminations mandate complete evacuation from the home, leaving your home under the supervision and control of a stranger.
DIY pest control tips
Store food properly
Keeping food near your home’s entry points can attract unwanted insects and other household pests. To avoid costly infestations, you should store food in secure and tightly-sealed containers. With outdoor food supplies, consider fencing your vegetable gardens and surrounding areas with a net.
Seal your home
Gaps or cracks found in your foundation house are simply opportunities for pesky critters to enter your home. As a homeowner, you should diligently seal all crevices and cracks, and be sure to close open doors and windows.
Clean up
Leaves will attract insects, such as ticks, to your common living spaces. Avoid unnecessary debris by cleaning up your yard, tidying the basement, and sweeping your decks. Any dark spaces will be breeding grounds for pests, so use natural home cleaning products to maintain an eco-friendly and tidy environment.
Final Thoughts
You can keep pests such as ants and roaches at bay without having to hire a pest exterminator. While hiring an exterminator guarantees professional results, DIY pest control can save you time and money.
DIY pest control allows for flexible treatment applications. Instead of hiring exterminators for monthly treatments, you can apply DIY solutions every two or three months instead.. Do-it-yourself pest control is ideal if you need a quick fix. In the case of more severe infestations, consult the expertise of the professionals.