The first thing that most people do when they do when they see a rodent or a cockroach is to panic and call a pest control company. This, of course, is exactly what the pest control company wants, that is why they are in business, and they will schedule an appointment to come to your home and get rid of your pest problem.
This can be quite expensive, depending upon the extent of the pest infestation, and the products used to eradicate the pests. Pest control companies can often use products that are poisonous and dangerous and you may be required to leave your home for several hours or a day while the entire area is treated.
The good news is that DIY pest control is less expensive and just as effective if you know what to do. You can start with a few simple steps that you can take on your own immediately without too much expense. Take a walk around the exterior of your home and inspect your building including the doors, windows, exterior walls and the roof.
You may be surprised to identify several points of entry including small holes, cracks in the foundation, gaps between walls and floors and in your roof line. Every small space is a potential entrance for a pest and you may not notice where the pests are getting in until you take the time to look around your home to find them.
Caulk is an extremely low cost product and can be purchased at your local hardware store or building supplier. Purchase several tubes of caulk and seal all areas that have gaps and holes. This will prevent pests from coming into your home and as an added bonus; it will help you to save on your home energy costs. A variety of caulk products are available, you should choose one that is specifically designed for the area you will be using it in. You want to purchase the right product for the right application or you may simply be wasting your money.
Pests are Opportunists
Insects and rodents need food, water and shelter to live. If you leave food and water around and an easy entrance to your home, you can expect pests to move in. Unlike the residents of the home, these critters cannot simply turn on the tap to get a drink or open the fridge when they are hungry.
Pests are resourceful and seek opportunities to access food and water that you may overlook. If you have a potted plant that has water in the dish below it this could be an excellent source of water for rodents and bugs.
Your pantry and kitchen cupboards contain many dried goods that are a good source of food for pests. Another important method of DIY pest control is to remove food items from cardboard packaging and put them into plastic or metal canisters; this can remove access to the food source and help to eliminate pests.
Keep Your House Clean
Regular house cleaning is yet another DIY pest control method. Food is often dropped on the floor, but if you are vigilant and keep the floor clean and washed, it helps to discourage pests. Crumbs should always be cleaned up and dishes should be washed regularly. Remove stacks of old newspapers and other items that are not regularly used because these can be great hiding places for cockroaches and other insects.
Mop your floor to remove any sticky residue as soon as you spill something. A sticky residue can attract crumbs and become a feast for household pests. This is something that you want to avoid, but if it happens, be sure to clean it up immediately. Once you have done the basic cleaning and sealing of your home and you find that you still have a residual pest problem, try using DIY pest control products to eliminate any pests that remain.
Many excellent options are available for DIY pest control that can help you to get rid of pests or discourage them from moving into your home. You can use live traps to capture rodents and other mammals.
These traps are set up with tempting bait and then the rodents will enter the traps but are unable to escape. You can then remove the trap and take the creatures far away from your home, to a remote location and then release them there.
Products that discourage pests include the ultrasonic sound emitter which is available in a solar option or a corded option. These devices emit a piercing sound that is undetected by human ears but is unbearable to pest animals that hear it.
These pests will leave your home or, even better; will never take up residence in it in the first place. The ultrasonic sound device is designed to emit a series of sounds that are constantly changing so that the pests do not become accustomed to the sound.
Pyretherin is a product that is 100% natural and is effective for getting rid of pest insects. This DIY pest control product works by dissolving the outer casing of an insect and killing them. The product is easy to use and eliminates bugs around your home. The product sits in a dispenser and emits the product in a spray every once in a while. Once the dispenser is empty, you simply replace it with a new one.
Bird spikes are an effective DIY pest control product that prevents birds from roosting on the top of your home. Many birds will try to build a nest on your roof, but these spikes move around and discourage them from sitting on your roof and getting comfortable.
Pest control companies are not interested in saving you money, and they do not really care about your concerns regarding the dangerous products they may be using for pest control. DIY pest control is a better option, because there is a wide selection of unique products that will work to help you get rid of that pest problem in an affordable, safe and effective way.