The Do’s and Don’ts of Home Pest Control That Everyone Should Know

Do you have pest problems? How can you safely deal with them? It’s important to learn about the pests you have or may potentially have and the options you have for addressing them. It’s best, however, if you begin with pest prevention so there would be no need for home pest control at all.

Observe the following pest preventive practices to stop pests from becoming a problem in your home:

- Avoid unwittingly providing them with food, water, and shelter.

- Use sealed plastic or glass containers for food storage. Garbage with food scraps should be in a tightly covered bin. All garbage should be regularly removed from your home.

- Water shouldn’t collect anywhere and be left out – not in trays under plants or the fridge, not in your pet’s water bowl, etc. Leaks should be fixed right away as well.

- De-clutter. Remove stacks of papers, magazines, cardboards, etc.

- Close off spaces where pests can enter or hide. Caulk cracks and crevices, fill space around pipes with steel wool, and cover holes with wire mesh.

Inspect packages or boxes for pests before letting them in your home.

But what if the pests have already gained entry and are now posing the threat of an infestation? The following are the do’s and don’ts of home pest control you should know about.

The Do’s

- Use pesticides correctly and safely. This means keeping pets and children away where they’ve been applied. Make sure as well that you read and follow instructions carefully. It’s generally better to opt for ready-to-use products that are approved for use in homes. You may also want to use baits (effective and low-risk for pesticide exposure) as a first line of chemical defense against pests. Consult a Modesto pest control company for recommendations on relatively low-risk pesticides to use. Pesticides should be applied in a targeted manner and not sprayed all over. Fogging should only be done when absolutely necessary.

- Take proper precautions when hiring outside help for pest control. Inform them that you want them to find and correct the problem at the source before using pesticides. Note down the name and EPA registration number of any chemical used by your pest control operator. A good Modesto pest control company should be able to furnish you with information regarding the chemicals it uses.

Properly dispose of leftover pesticides and pesticide containers. The label should include instructions regarding this. See as well if your community has household hazardous waste collections and if they’ll take your pesticides.

The Don’ts

- Don’t use chemicals meant for the outdoors. These remain toxic longer and can be dangerous when used indoors.

- Don’t use twice for better results. Follow instructions carefully. Using too much pesticide can be dangerous as well.

Don’t store pesticides in a different container. They should remain in their original containers to avoid accidents. Don’t use an empty pesticide container for storage of anything else either.

Practice these do’s and don’ts of pest control to effectively and safely get rid of pests. If you are still noticing unwanted pests around your home, call the eco-friendly Modesto pest control specialists at AAI Pest Control today!