The thought of a stranger trudging through your home, spraying foreign chemicals and charging you a small fortune can be daunting. Many people shy away from the option of calling a professional pest control company because they think they can handle their pest problem on their own and save some money doing so. They may think that the techniques used by their local ‘bug guy’ may be harmful to their children and pets. Perhaps there is even a concern that having a professional come over will take too much time and there isn’t room in their schedule to have a technician treat the problem. There are many misconceptions surrounding professional pest control. In fact there are many advantages to calling out your local pest company. Trained pest control experts are knowledgeable on a variety of insects and rodents. They use chemicals that actually tend to be safer than a majority of over the counter pest products, protecting your family not only from disease-carrying pests, but also from an assortment of harmful chemicals. Hiring a pest control expert can actually save you a great deal of time and money. In extreme cases, a poorly handled pest problem can lead to thousands of dollars worth of property damage down the road. When handling a stressful situation such as a pest invasion, it is wise to explore all of your options. A smart option is hiring a pest control company.
Pests Don’t Bother Me.. or Do They?
Let’s start with what’s most important – the health of your family. Many household pests pose serious threats to human health in the form of injury and disease. Let’s take a look at a few:
Wasps– quite possibly the most feared household pest. Wasps enjoy building their nests in tree-tops and under eaves in our home. They have even been known to build nests on roofs and in gutters. They are extremely aggressive when protecting their colony and will sting their victim multiple times, often attacking as a whole swarm. If you have an allergy to wasp/ bee venom this can be deadly. For those of us who aren’t faced with this particular allergy, this is still an unpleasant experience, causing massive swelling, redness, and discomfort. The only logical way to remove a wasp nest from your property would be to call in an expert who understands how to safely remove the nest and who has the equipment and clothing to do so.
Spiders– spider bites can also prove to be life threatening. The brown recluse can cause massive damage with its bite. Often the victim’s skin will peel and rot away, requiring hospitalization and even surgery. The venom of a black widow spider can cause paralysis of the diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe.
Mice– can carry tapeworms and can cause food poisoning when their droppings come in contact with food preparation surfaces ( and lets not forget they were a major contributor to the spread of the black plague).
Cockroaches- spread E.coli and salmonella.
Ticks- carry lyme disease and typhus.
Ants- ants are a pantry pest and they’re very good and finding and contaminating food sources.
With all the ways these pests can make us ill, why take any chances? Why buy a drugstore bug spray and hope for results? A local pest control expert will be able to easily identify what kind of pest problem you’re facing and what bait or spray will be most effective. Now some people may think of a stranger in a breathing mask spraying poison in your living room. This simply isn’t the case anymore. Many companies are going green, using products that are safer for the home and the environment. In fact, buying a spray at the drugstore may pose more danger to your home than having a professional come in. Many people do not understand how to effectively apply baits and sprays. Professionals, on the other hand, barely even use pesticides and toxins, and only as a last resort.
DIY or Hire a Pro?
Doing the work yourself or hiring a pest control company is up to you. Some people know a lot about this topic. If you know what products to use and don’t mind spending the time you may elect to perform the work yourself. Nothing wrong with this approach.
On the other hand, if you are busy and don’t want to deal with it, hiring a professional is simple and affordable. I would hire someone local and who has pleasant reviews. By hiring the service done, you will get a trained professional who is knowledgeable about the specific pest(s) you’re dealing with. Your technician will know to look for entry points, eggs, nests, and what will repel/ attract the pest. Some pests are attracted to protein baits, while others find protein repulsive and are only attracted to sugar baits.
One Example when You Should NOT do it Yourself
Bed bugs are one example of a terribly insidious pest. Whatever you do, do NOT attempt to use a bug bomb against bed bugs. Not only will it do little to nothing to kill the bugs, it can scatter them around your home, making them even harder to eradicate. To completely eliminate your bed bugs, we recommend calling a pest control expert right away.
And if I do Hire a Pest Control Company?
If you decide to hire a local pest control company, make sure you know what you are getting. Do a little research and make sure they guarantee their work. Hiring a professional to do it right the first time will, in the long run, save you money. Most companies offer some sort of effectiveness guarantee. ProActive Pest Management, for example, will send a technician for free re-services in between treatments. Many companies will also create a treatment plan that fits into your time and your budget. Some companies even offer regular coupons and discounts.
In order to prevent against future infestations, you can consult your technician during his visits. Ask him about the places pests can hide in your home, what attracts certain pests, and their typical behavior and life cycle. You can have face-to-face discussions with a real expert in the field, as opposed searching for advice columns online. You can ask a real human being for tips and advice. At the end of the day, you can feel good knowing that you are protecting the health of your family and the well-being of your property, while saving money and supporting local businesses in your community. When you think about it, hiring a pest control company is really the way to go.