3 Pest Control Myths to Avoid

Pest control is a tricky science. Because the internet is rampant with home improvement remedies, there is a lot of misinformation about pest control that one may read. To ensure that you don’t end up with a worse infestation or turn your pest issue into something costlier, the experts at IPM Pest & Termite are here to help. Let IPM Pest & Termite show you 3 pest control myths that you should avoid, ensuring that you are handling your pest control problem right.

#1- If you don’t see any signs of pests, they are not a problem.

This is completely false. Not being able to visibly see any signs of an infestation may make homeowners complacent or lead to the belief that there is not an infestation problem to worry about. Unfortunately, not seeing pests in your home is not a true sign that your pest control issues are managed properly. Common pests, like termites, carpenter ants, and bed bugs, can cause significant issues to your home or spread quickly into a much larger infestation without you really noticing until something goes wrong. Termites are rarely seen, they nest in the walls and structure of your home and silently cause damage that can be incredibly costly, and bed bugs can spread to numerous areas of your home before you are even aware that there is a problem. Pests are not an “out of sight out of mind” issue. Your home should be inspected for pests regularly to ensure that there are no issues that may lead to expensive repairs later.

#2- Bed bugs are easy to treat, and something that can be done without a professional.

Again, this is false. Because the usual first reaction to signs of bed bugs is to treat the problem immediately, many homeowners believe that they can eliminate this problem by themselves. Unfortunately, bed bugs are one of the most difficult infestations to eliminate from your home. These tiny bugs are resilient and tricky, and they will hide in new spots that you may not see and may not be affected by products that are sold commercially. Because they are so difficult to treat, the infestation usually gets worse after a lot of wasted time spent trying to eradicate the problem. Avoid wasting your own time and money and call a professional the minute you suspect a bed bug problem. Treat this issue professionally and avoid the spread of this troublesome infestation.

#3- Catching rodents is as easy as owning a cat or using cheese in a mouse trap.

Another myth. While some cats may enjoy hunting mice occasionally, many have no desire to control the pests in your home. Some cats may chase mice in your home, but a lot of the time they simply catch the mice to play and then release the critters. Cats do not see mice as a threat to their home, more as an activity for them to partake in, so depending solely on their hunting prowess can often lead to negligence of the issue. Mice are also smart and small. These critters can travel through and on spaces that your cats may not be able to reach and will likely not be afraid of your cat. Unlike the cartoons have shown, mice are not attracted to fatty foods, like cheese. Mice can smell food from a good distance away, and they can typically distinguish sugars above everything else. Mice are much more attracted to sugary foods like cookies, sugar cubes, peanut butter, and cereal, and you will have a much better chance with these food items in traps than you would with cheese.

To deter any of the above problems, your best bet is having your home regularly inspected by a professional. At IPM Pest and Termite, proudly serving the surrounding area including Nicholasville, Versailles, Georgetown, Richmond, and Winchester, as well as these neighborhoods: Pinnacle, Waterford, Cumberland Hills, Copperfield, Palomar, Masterson Station, Equestrian Woods, and Firebrook, we can help you ensure your homes safety and keep pests like bed bugs, termites, rodents, and many other common pest problems away. Contact us today for more information!