Taking matters into your hands when dealing with pests might be too ambitious. It’s easy to swat insects and convenient to spray pesticides. However, it’s not the answer to the most serious DIY pest control.
Let’s talk about the 12 DIY pest controls that you think are helpful but can worsen the situation if done wrong.
12 DIY Pest Control That Won’t Work
We’re all guilty of doing DIY pest control in our homes and properties. Nothing is wrong with pesticides but only use them for the right purpose. Unfortunately, most mouse traps, ant chalks, and spray insecticides will never solve pest problems. It might work for a while, but the pests will only come back.
So, what are those DIY pest controls that would only work as a band aid solution?
DIY Pest Control #1 – Place mouse traps in high-traffic areas.
While a rat or mouse will come out into the open on occasion, they prefer to remain close to walls and corners. After all, it’s in their nature to always have an escape plan on hand. So if you want to put mouse traps, it’s best to place them against walls, behind furniture, and in tight corners.
DIY Pest Control #2 – Overload traps with bait.
Rats and mouse love probably love the smell of cheese and peanut butter, but it’s not good to overload your trap with baits. Overcrowding a trap with too much bait can cause it to malfunction, allowing the critter to escape.
A small amount of bait is enough to entice your pest. You don’t have to put a cheese bar or a spoonful of peanut butter. Just a little is enough just to let your target smell the bait.
DIY Pest Control #3 – Dangerous pesticides or raticide.
There are numerous pesticides sold in convenience and grocery stores. But these are dangerous. It can do more harm than good, especially if you have curious children or animals.
The World Health Organization estimates that 3 million people get poisoned by pesticides. The majority of these cases are because of overzealous and inexperienced do-it-yourselfers. Pesticides and raticide have strong chemical ingredients that pose a severe threat to health and the environment.
Don’t let your DIY pest control jeopardize your home’s or your health’s safety. It is best to use biological controls (such as scents, tastes, and oils) or hire an eco-friendly pest control company.
DIY Pest Control #4 – Forgetting to treat fleas and ticks around your home
Treating your pet for fleas or ticks with a veterinarian-recommended medication is a good start. However, it won’t eliminate or prevent the problem. You’ll also need to eliminate any fleas or ticks hiding in your home or yard and make sure they don’t return.
DIY Pest Control #5 – Relying too much on bug bombs
A bug bomb emits a cloud of chemicals into the atmosphere. While the chemicals in these bombs intend to keep pesky pests away, they can pollute your carpet, furniture, and walls, putting your health at risk. The toxicity of bug bombs is relatively high, frequently exceeding that of a professional exterminator. It is not something you’d want in your home.
Furthermore, according to some research, bugs will detect the chemicals and flee deeper into your walls, avoiding the poison’s effects. So, the pest problem would only get worse. Since bug bombs have such a low residue, there is little benefit in preventing the infestation from returning in the long run.
DIY Pest Control #6 – Killing insects with electric swatters
Electric swatters are fun to use, but they don’t provide long-term solutions. Removing a few bugs here and there won’t make much of a difference in an infestation. Furthermore, these swatters are dangerous in houses with small children and can cause an electrical fire. So if swatters are your only option, you’re in for a long fight.
DIY Pest Control #7 – Using gasoline to control bees and wasps.
A common misunderstanding is that spraying or pouring gasoline (or any other type of chemical) into or around a beehive would kill the bees. It isn’t the case! Gasoline pollutes groundwater and kills plants. Moreover, it’s also a great way to start a fire and destroy property.
DIY Pest Control #8 – Waiting for the pest infestation to disappear.
If you have bugs in your crawlspace, basement, or attic, you may not realize they’re there. Many people who are the subject of an investigation fall into this trap, crossing their fingers and expecting that the matter will resolve itself.
It’s a lovely idea, but if you ignore a pest problem, it will only become worse. The longer you wait, the more likely these pests will cause severe damage to your home. It rages from electrical and property damage to health diseases.
DIY Pest Control #9 – Doing DIY pest control more than twice.
In some instances, a simple DIY pest control solution is sufficient to stop and prevent future problems. Maybe you’ve always had just one wicked mouse in your house. If your efforts aren’t delivering results, you may be dealing with a more serious issue and should seek expert assistance.
DIY Pest Control #10 – Sprays insecticides can only make insects scatter.
It’s satisfying to watch the ants flee a spray attack. But have you ever wondered where they go? When sprayed with store-bought insecticides, many insects do not die. Instead, they fly in search of other locations to establish their nests. It could lead to more problems down the road.
DIY Pest Control #11 – Forgetting animal and insect life cycles affects treatment.
The average homeowner or company owner isn’t an expert on insect reproduction patterns. As a result, people typically feel their DIY solution worked only to discover a new crop of insects. Of course, it’s OK to do your projects if they’re safe and successful. But when it comes to pest management, contact a professional as soon as possible. Only professional exterminators can understand the life cycle of pests and the proper ways to control them.
DIY Pest Control #12 – Ignoring what you can’t see.
They say, “to see is to believe.” The same thing goes for pests. But the problem is that pests live in the deepest and darkest parts of your home. So, how can you know that you’re already living with pests?
Many homeowners believe they’ll always be able to tell if they have bugs in their house, which makes sense. You’d think a pest infestation would immediately be visible, but pests are surprisingly good at hiding their existence. They’ve learned to be considerably smarter than you might expect to dwell inside your home and steal from your resources while remaining undiscovered.
While you may only be able to prepare for the infestation that you can see, considerable damage can happen before you even realize it. Worse yet, you may be concentrating primarily on the visible regions of the infestation.
Then, you’ve missed the more significant infestation hiding behind walls or beneath floorboards. Thus, a thorough inspection by a San Jose pest control expert is essential to detect hidden pest infestations.
Conclusion
Don’t rely too much on DIY pest control. If you’re having trouble getting rid of pests, it’s best to engage a professional exterminator like Exel Exterminator LLC. We have the knowledge and skills to deal with your specific pest issue and devise a safe and effective solution.
DIY pest control isn’t wrong after all. However, they’re the only effective preventive and maintenance measures to safeguard your home against pests. The best way to eliminate pests on your property is through a thorough inspection and safe ecological pest control products.
After all, we all want to live in a home free and safe from any unwanted pests. At Expel Exterminator LLC, we prioritize the safety of your family! Contact us today to book an appointment or get a quote.
Expel Exterminators LLC
3622 Tuers Road San Jose, CA 95121
(408) 417-1545
