Get out of my house!

8 Common and Effective Pest Control Methods in a Residential Setting

27 July 2021 by Devon Perez

Pest control takes many forms. As a homeowner, you can keep your property pest-free by understanding the different pest control methods.

Pest control takes many forms and comes in two categories: eradication and prevention.

Eradication

If you have an existing pest problem on your property, whether the pests are insects or rodents, eradication is usually necessary. You and your pest controller can use the following methods to eradicate pests.

Pesticides

Pesticides come in the form of sprays and powders, and you can use them to tackle insects like mosquitoes, spiders, termites and cockroaches. But because pesticides can be toxic, consider hiring professional pest control technicians before you use them on your property.

Traps and baits

You can use traps in conjunction with pesticides to kill off invading pests. For instance, glue traps are an effective way to eradicate cockroaches when used intelligently. And baits usually use a poisoned food source to attract and kill pests.

Heat treatment

Heat treatments usually require specialised equipment. So, this treatment is best left to professional pest control experts. Heat treatment can kill termites, bed bugs, cockroaches and fleas, and this is a good option if you don't want chemicals in your home.

Fumigation

Fumigation works best for severe infestations. This pest control method will kill all pests in your home, both adult and young. But you will need to leave your home for the duration of the treatment, which can last up to 72 hours.

Prevention

If you had previously had pests on your property or you want to prevent future pest infestations, the following pest control methods can help.

Natural repellents

To keep pests away without using chemical methods, you can call on natural methods like oils and plants. Get to know the different oils and plants and how they affect each pest.

Chemical repellents

Chemical repellents come in the form of sprays and powders. Once placed, these repellents will keep pests at bay. But for them to work effectively, you need to understand the behaviour of the pests that you are targeting. For instance, termites invade from the soil, which means a chemical repellent works best in the soil around your home.

Entry point sealing

One of the most effective repellents is to prevent pests from entering your home. You can do this by sealing all cracks and crevices, placing weather stripping under doors and adding insect screens to windows.

Removal of favourable conditions

Finally, if your home doesn't possess the necessary environment for pests, then they won't invade. Termites need water and wood. Cockroaches need water, darkness and food debris. And spiders need a steady food supply and dark corners to hide in. Get to know each type of pest, and then you can remove their favourite conditions.

You can prevent pests from invading your property. But if your home falls victim to an infestation, eradication is best left to the professionals.

Share

Search