Pests aren’t just an annoyance, they are carriers of deadly diseases and the culprits behind serious damages inflicted on our homes and properties. The way most of us perceive or think of pests, nonetheless, has never changed since antiquity. Whether these pests were mosquitoes, termites or cockroaches, the majority of people share common beliefs about them that are contrary to reality, according to pest control professionals.
10. Clean homes are pest-free
It’s pretty normal to think that keep your kitchen and toilet clean will fend off creepy crawlies. Cleanliness indeed reduces the chances for an infestation. However, it will not guarantee that your house will not be invaded by pests. For instance, the boxes of old items such as clothes, children’s toys and yellowing newspapers may not seem appetizing to you, but they are invitations for pests such as cockroaches and termites.
9. Stronger smell means more effective repellent
The strong unpleasant smell of most insect repellents such as bug sprays gives us the illusion that the smell is what does the trick. But in reality, the smell originates from chemicals added to the repellent just to give us heads-up. What kills the insect is complex mixture of chemicals some which have no smell at all. Nowadays, new organic methods have been invented which don’t smell as strong but is still quite effective against pests.
8. A professional pest control company is only needed for severe infestations
This is incorrect. In fact, waiting till a pest infestation spreads will only make things worse. The sooner a professional is engaged, the problem can be dealt quickly and more efficiently. There is no telling of the level of damage some infestations might cause if treatments are not conducted early. Think of what termite might do to a wooden house, or what disease can mosquitos turn into a worldwide epidemic.
7. Fogging is harmful for health
The purpose of mosquito fogging is to kill adult mosquitoes that may carry diseases such as dengue fever or malaria. Inhaling some of the white smoke while eating or jogging in the morning might not be a pleasant experience but it is actually quite safe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the chemicals used in mosquito fogging incorporates a synthetic pyrethroid similar to the one used in most insect sprayers found in homes and shops. The white fog seen is created by blasting the mixture of insecticide chemicals and water into tiny droplets through a fogging machine. The amount of insecticide in the fog is very small, and is dispersed at quantities that can only kill something as tiny as a mosquito.
6. Good wood is termite proof
Many individuals, particularly the wealthy, believe that good quality wooden frames are termite proof and never decay. But what most of these individuals are unaware of is that termites consume cellulose which is the base material that wood is formed from. As long as the atmosphere in the house is warm and inviting, termites will do everything they can to get to that cellulose irregardless of its quality or value.
5. Cockroaches don’t bite
This belief isn’t entirely true. Most cockroaches that you see wandering around in your house aren’t aggressive but they are capable of biting; more so if they are desperate. This mostly happens during severe infestations. Larger cockroaches that are found in the wild are known to bite humans they encounter and the most serious of all biting cases have been reported on ships.
Cockroaches are considered omnivores, which means that they will eat anything that they encounter. Some cockroach infestations on ships are so serious that these pests actually munch on the skin & nails of those onboard. Such cases however, are relatively rare; the average cockroach will not bite you or try to feed on your nails.
4. Natural repellents are best against mosquitoes
It not surprising that most people associate natural products with better health and more & more people are becoming aware of mosquito repellants that are derived from natural sources such as plants. However, when it comes to mosquito repellents, there is clear evidence that natural repellents may not provide for the best outcomes. Unfortunately, several studies worldwide have shown that botanical based repellents provide substantially less protection compared to industry standards such as DEET and picaridin. Studies have repeatedly shown that the most effective repellents contain DEET and picaridin. DEET, in particular, has been shown to be very effective and Picaridin is pretty good too. Both products have shown to be effective in local field-based tests.
3. A few pest sightings aren’t a big deal
If you rarely see cockroaches on your toilet floor, it does not mean that your house is pest-free. Bear in mind that for every insect that you spot, there might be a lot more that can be seen and there is also the possibility that there is a colony hiding behind your walls. Occasional pest sightings shouldn’t cause a lull in being attentive. Act immediately if there are any insects or of their existence such as droppings or damaged furniture.
2. A bug zapper is effective against all pests
Electric bug zappers are indeed effective against all insects that get attracted to light. However, when you open a zapper to clean the trap, you are likely to see bunch of dead insects of made up of different species that include bees, moths, dragonflies (known to feed on mosquitoes) and so on but you’d hardly find any mosquitoes. If a zapper happened to contain a mosquito, it’s usually a coincidence as the mosquito probably blundered into the device. For the bug zappers to be really effective, you’d have to keep several of them around you to protect you from bites.
1. Do-it-yourself pest control is the best
Do-it-yourself pest control can be viable option for homeowners, particularly those who aren’t struggling with serious pest infestations. However, most homeowners, in general, lack the training and knowledge that professionals possess to treat pest problems effectively. An essential component in addressing a pest problem is to correctly identify the insect species and to then establish a course of treatment that takes the insect’s biology and habits into consideration. If pest treatment is inappropriately carried out, it may worsen the problem rather than solve it.
It is also important to note that treatment materials used need to be handled carefully to ensure effective treatment and safety for the environment. Professional pest control operators have much needed training to do these things and would be able to effectively solve your pest problem.
If you need assistance with your pest problem, get in touch with Ridpest for a quote!
