Household pests are a part of life. Everyone will likely have to deal with them in their home at some point. In the past, the natural tendency was to eliminate pests using chemicals. However, we now know that many of the pest control chemicals of the past were both toxic and too broad in their usage. While it is sometimes still recommended to use chemicals to eliminate pests, the chemicals used today are much safer. Let’s take a look at some useful tips for your own safer pest control.
- Prevention is the Key
You don’t have to worry about pest control if you prevent them from getting into your home in the first place. Inspect your home for holes and cracks as the seasons change. They can be in your screens, around your doors and windows or even in your foundation. If there is a way in, insects and rodents will find it. The other component of prevention is to make the interior of your home undesirable for pests. This means keeping your home clean and free from clutter. Don’t leave food or wrappers lying around, and make sure that your plants are well cared for and routinely inspected.
- Try Natural First
In many cases, if you have a pest in your home, then a natural remedy may work. For example, if you have a mouse in your home you may be able to get rid of it with a live bait trap rather than poison. If you have insects on your household plants, then spraying them with neem oil or rosemary oil may get rid of them.
- Small Applications
Treat the specific area where you’re having a pest problem rather than treating the entire home. This may not be possible in all scenarios; however, it’s often the best first step. For example, if you have ants in your home, then a bait trap may work better than sprinkling poison over your entire kitchen.
- Specific Applications
When you’re choosing a pesticide, make sure that you’re choosing one that is safe for indoor use. It should also be designed for the specific pest problem that you are treating. Whenever using a chemical inside your home, follow the label recommendations very carefully. If you’re not sure what type of insect or pest you’re dealing with, call an exterminator to help you identify the problem and the potential solution.
- Open Windows
Good ventilation is always important when using chemicals in your home. Protect yourself during application by covering all of your exposed skin. Then open windows and get air flowing through your home to clear out the toxins in the air.
Getting expert help may be the fastest and safest solution. Consider contacting a pest control company to quickly identify the problem and remedy it with the safest pest control options available.