WHY DIY PEST CONTORL WON'T CUT IT
SIGNS ITS TIME TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL
As a homeowner, you are aware that certain tasks around the house are best left to the pros—like installing electrical wiring in the basement—while others, like painting the guest room, are tasks you can complete yourself. This also holds true for pest management. While do-it-yourself methods can be effective in certain situations, hiring a pest control expert is advised to guarantee a safe and effective outcome. Therefore, how can you determine which pest scenarios are suitable for a do-it-yourself project and which ones require professional assistance?
The answer often varies depending on a number of criteria, such as the type of pest, the health risks it poses to your family, the likelihood of property damage, and the extent of the infestation. For instance, you shouldn't be concerned if a single yellowjacket manages to get into your house. However, a yellowjacket nest close to your front porch? It's time to get the experts in!
Specifically, here are a few pests that you should leave to the professionals:
BED BUGS
Bed bugs are certainly not a pest that should be handled on your own. For one, they are notoriously elusive, often hiding out in hard to detect places like behind electrical switches and under wallpaper. Our trained pest professionals will know where bed bugs are likely to hide in your home and can develop a treatment plan to target the pests while ensuring the safety of your family and pets.
To effectively treat a bed bug infestation, all stages of the bed bug life cycle must be treated, including bed bug eggs, nymphs (babies) and adult bed bugs. Unfortunately, DIY pest control methods are often ineffective against nymphs and eggs. Trying to control a bed bug infestation alone will only make the problem worse and give it a chance to grow. Bed bugs multiply quickly - one female bed bug can lay one to five eggs a day, or more than 500 eggs in a lifetime, meaning that a small infestation can quickly grow out of control.
Additionally, homeowners who attempt to control bed bug infestations on their own may end up spending more money in the long run on ineffective treatments. Some residents who are infested with bed bugs throw out furniture, clothing and other personal items in an attempt to control the infestation. In the worst cases, homeowners have seriously damaged their homes or sickened their families through the misuse of pest control products.
STINGING INSECTS
All types of insect pests - such as wasps, yellowjackets or fire ants - should always be left to the experts. Insect bites are a serious health hazard. In fact, they send half a million people to the emergency room every year. A colony of stinging insects can range from a few hundred to 80,000 members and attack if their nest is threatened. People who are allergic to insect stings are especially at risk, but if you have a large nest of stinging insects, it can be life threatening to anyone.
WOOD-BORING INSECTS
It is important to treat insects that eat wood cautiously such as Carpenter ants and Carpenter bees. For example, Carpenter ants build places to nest by excavating wood. Their tunneling within the wood produces smooth passageways. Meanwhile, Carpenter bees burrow through softwoods to lay their eggs and shield their developing larvae. Both insects are known for nesting in your deck, your shed, your house and even your campfire log pile!
RECURRING OR HEAVY INFESTATIONS
Regardless of the condition, if you have an infestation that keeps coming back no matter what you try, it's time to call a professional. Recurring pest infestations are a sign that your home is just too enticing for pests. There may be small openings (such as a crack in a window pane or a crack in the foundation) where ants can easily enter the house. Or a drip under the sink in the bathroom can create perfect conditions for cockroaches. Either way, a trained pest specialist will inspect your home, diagnose the infestation and help you get rid of it for good. DIY methods are also no match for heavy pest infestations. Because many pests pose serious health and property threats, a sizable pest infestation should be left up to the professionals to handle, before it can grow any larger.
As a homeowner, there are a lot of
DIY steps you can take to help prevent pests from finding their way into your home, but even these are most effective when completed in partnership with a pest professional. And, if you suspect you have an infestation, your first step should always be to call a licensed and trained pest professional at Johnsons Pest Control.
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We are experts in:
Ants ∙ Asian Beetles ∙ Bees ∙ Bed Bugs ∙ Cockroaches ∙ Rodents ∙ Silverfish ∙ Spiders ∙ And more!
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