Don’t Bug Out Find Available Options to Remove Your Pests

How can I find a proper pest control specialist?

Pest control is going to be a major threat for mankind in the coming future. Sooner or later we will all be affected by pests as it is omnisciently present everywhere. Whether it is ants or beetles in the kitchen or weeds in the vegetable garden, pests can be annoying. At the same time, many of us are not interested in pest control and the problems caused by pests as well as the pesticides we use to control pests.

Here are some questions most asked to Salt Lake City Pest Control:

• How can pests be reduced and controlled safely?
• Are the pesticides available, effective and safe?
• How and when should pesticides be used?

Pests are beneficial as well as a curse to mankind. Animals, bacteria and some insects are beneficial to people in many ways, but the same time they can also be pests. Pests such as rats, ants, cockroaches, mice and flies are common in houses and apartments. There should be an effective pest control to prevent pests in multiplying themselves in houses, which include effective pest management, pest control and pest prevention.

Pest Management

The best and most effective way for controlling pests is pest management which includes many steps from Salt Lake City Pest Control. The first and most important step in Pest Control is to identify the pest problem. This includes finding out exactly what you are up against. Some pests (bacteria, animals) are really helpful to people, so it is very important to find out any harmful pests. The second thing is to decide how much pest control is necessary. Only the family who live in the affected area can judge how serious it is to take action. The third thing is to choose an available option for pest control such as chemical pest control or non-chemical pest control. You can control pests by many means; some of the options available are:

1. Non Chemical Pest Control

   • Exclusion: Any measure used to prevent entry of organisms indoors through openings in the building structure, doors, windows, or on infested plant or food materials.
   • Sanitation: Maintaining clean surroundings both outdoors and indoors removes potential areas where pests can feed, breed, and hide.
   • Habitat modification: Includes any method used to eliminate or disrupt areas where pests reside. For example, removing weeds and keeping well-mowed lawns reduces incidence of crickets and ticks.
   • Temperature control: Artificially manipulating the temperature of substrates infested by pests or areas where pests reside is an inexpensive nonchemical strategy. Bugs can be killed within minutes to hours when exposed to temperatures below 32° F and above 104° F.
   • Mechanical control: A rolled newspaper or magazine and fly swatters are some tools used for killing visible and less mobile or immobile pests.
   • Traps: Traps are escape-proof devices that capture highly mobile and active pests. Live traps can be used for rabbits, pocket gophers, and squirrels.

2. Chemical Pest Control

   It is not advisable in and around the home and commercial premises, as it will affect people adversely. The major drawback of this method is the result of the chemical pesticides treatment which is generally temporary, which in turn need repeated treatments. If used incorrectly, home-use pesticides can be poisonous to humans. While you are using chemical pesticides for pest control, the most important thing to remember is to take care in choosing the right pesticide product.

3. Biological Methods

   This is the method of using pest’s natural enemies to control them. Spiders, centipedes, ground beetles and ants are some of the beneficial bugs. This method is not harmful to people in any means and can be implemented effectively.

Most Common Pest Control Mistakes

1. Purchasing over the counter sprays & self- treating. Many grocery store products simply do not provide lasting benefits & ultimately cause more trouble than they are worth. If you currently have a pest control provider many times the spray you purchase is a contact repellant that kills the pests you see but has no lasting residual & actually contaminates the professional products in place. Using repellant sprays cause a phenomenon called “budding” with many species of ants. The workers are killed & do not return to the colony. The colony will then create more queens & they will “bud” creating more colonies! Roaches infestations may temporarily reduce but the larvae will soon hatch. Sprays for Bed Bug infestations end up spreading the infestation as they will avoid the sprayed areas for a short time. Our suggestion would be if you have an occasional invading pest spritz it with window cleaning spray-same result less expensive & definitely less toxic! On-going pest problems need professional treatment.
2. Starting a pest control service while you see pests & stopping when you don’t see pest. The pest you don’t see are not necessarily gone – they are under control. Pest will remain in the environment & will always be looking for food, water & harborage. The pest control provider’s goal is to control them in your environment. Stopping service because you don’t see pest will lead to pest populations getting out of control again. Consistent & regular pest control service will break that cycle.
3. Not knowing & understanding the Salt Lake City Pest Control provider’s treatment plan. Make sure you know & understand what your provider is doing for your service. Ask questions, check licenses, ask what they are treating your property with & why. Your Pest Control provider should be able to provide answers & suggestions for your pest control needs. “Green” products are regularly used in the industry today to reduce environmental impact. Find out what products will work for your home. If your Pest control provider seems to be just looking around your property find out why-better technicians will ALWAYS inspect before ever applying product. Learn more about IPM practices from your provider. If they don’t provide information & treatment plans incorporating IPM Practices & “Green” products call a company that can!

Pest Control Tips

• Keep food put away in sealed packages or the refrigerator; remove debris, crumbs & grease especially from cracks & crevices. Don’t forget pet food left out or opened bags left in the laundry room or garage. For a persistent pet food infestation, place pet food bowl in a larger shallow pan fill with water to create a natural barrier. Eliminating as much as possible removes the pest’s food source.

• Look for areas of excess moisture such as under sinks, shower/bath areas, hot water heaters, over-irrigating at exterior perimeter, & air-conditioning units re-direct or eliminate to remove pest’s water source. Gutters holding decomposing organic leaf matter should be cleaned regularly. Get rid of their homes-inspect storage areas at interior & exterior, and either place away from the structure such as firewood or place in plastic airtight bins to eliminate pest’s harborage areas. Remember this includes the garage & attic especially if cardboard storage boxes are being used. Plastic is recommended as cardboard is the perfect home since it can be a food source and a “nursery” for pests.

• Get rid of branches and trim plants too close to structure. Keep trimmed about 2 feet away to remove easy traveling from plant/tree to structure entry points. Rid the entry points-inspect structure exterior and seal up obvious entry points around electrical conduits, pipes, windows & doors. Foam sealant in a can is a quick as well as inexpensive fix. Weather stripping at windows & doors will not only keep out pests but improve energy efficiency.

• Over the counter pesticides must go if you are not seeing results. Use pesticides wisely – understand how they work and why. Know how to use them and what pests they affect. Ineffective use of pesticide is not just a waste of money but an environmental hazard for your family & pets. It is important to know how to use the pesticide, where it can be used, how much & how often to use it. Over application is as bad as under application. Applying the wrong products at the wrong areas will only cause the pests to scatter & multiply.

• Beware of unlicensed applicator’s who are “doing it on the side” the liability is ultimately not worth the savings if any. The consumer has no recourse. 

  • What if the applicator is injured on your property?
  • What if misapplication of pesticide causes injury/damage to you or your neighbors or pets?
  • Or worse yet is applying pesticide you cannot see incorrectly in your home?

  A licensed, insured & bonded state regulated Pest Control provider must meet rigorous criteria to obtain & maintain their licenses. This is to protect the consumer like us at Salt Lake City Pest Control.

  Know your pest control provider & make sure they are indeed state licensed & insured. See if they belong to industry related organizations & consumer protection organizations such as the Better Business Bureau.