Pest Control: What To Do & What Not To Do

How can you deal with your insect problems in a safe manner? The idea of pests treated is to ask plenty of questions. The first step is to learn about the pests you have and the alternatives you have for controlling them.

First, try pest prevention

• Remove all food, drink, and shelter sources.
• Food should be stored in airtight plastic or glass containers. Food scraps should be disposed of in garbage cans that are properly covered. Garbage should be removed from your home on a regular basis.
• Fix any faulty plumbing and keep water from accumulating elsewhere in the house. Allowing water to gather in trays under your home plants or refrigerator is not a good idea. Pet food and water should not be left out overnight.
• Clutter allows bugs to proliferate and hide, making it difficult to eradicate them. Stacks of newspapers, magazines, and cardboard should all be discarded.
• Places where pests can enter and hide should be sealed up. Caulk cracks and crevices around cabinets and baseboards, for example. Steel wool can be used to fill up gaps around pipelines. Wire mesh should be used to cover any holes.
• Learn about the pests you're dealing with and how to deal with them.
• Before bringing goods or boxes inside your home, inspect them for pests.

Use insecticides in a safe and effective manner

• Pets and children should not be allowed near locations where pesticides have been sprayed.
• After taking preventative measures, baits can be used as a first line of chemical defense against insects or rodents.
• These are frequently effective and may be used with little danger of pesticide exposure if kept out of the reach of children and pets.
• For some pests, there are also low-risk insecticides available. For ideas tailored to your location, contact your local cooperative extension service office.
• Pesticides that aren't contained in baits or traps should be administered to specific areas rather than sprayed all over the room.
• Fogging devices should only be used when absolutely required.
• Always read the pesticide label's instructions and safety warnings before using it.
• When feasible, utilize ready-to-use items (i.e., no mixing required).
• If you employ anybody else to help you with pest management, be sure they locate and fix the root of the problem before using pesticides.
• To eliminate a water source, you might need to fix a leaky toilet, for example.
• When possible, ask them to utilize baits and crack and crevice treatments.
• Only utilize chemicals that have been certified for use in homes.
• The chemical's uses will be included on the label.
• Any chemical used by someone you hire should have its name and EPA registration number written down. If you decide to search for further information about the pesticide, you'll need this information.
• The pest control technician should be able to offer information about the chemical, such as the MSDS sheet.

Make sure to properly dispose of unused pesticides and pesticide containers

• To learn how to properly dispose of the pesticide and container, read the label.
• Many towns provide domestic hazardous trash collections where unwanted pesticides can be dropped off. For information on your neighborhood, contact your local garbage disposal authority.

Indoors, do not use outside chemicals

• Many chemicals designed for outdoor usage are hazardous indoors because they remain poisonous for longer than they would outside.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that twice as much is better

• Always read and follow the advice on the label.
• Using too much pesticide might put your family's health at jeopardy.

Pesticides should not be transferred to other containers

• Pesticides should be kept in their original containers.
• If the insecticide must be combined with water, only mix as much as you will need at once.
• Empty pesticide containers should not be used to store anything else.
• Pesticides mistakenly consumed in food or beverage containers have poisoned children and others.
• Even if you wash the container well, it might still retain pesticide residue and cause injury to someone.