7 Best Pest Control Methods & When to Hire a Professional Pest Company

Best Pest Control Methods
Best Pest Control Methods

Pest control is not something that can be taken lightly. Whether you’re living in a rental or your own house, pests will create huge issues for you in terms of your health and your general lifestyle. In order for you to create the right kind of environment for you and your loved ones, pest situations need to be in control at all times. Hiring a professional for such a situation is always suggested. However, before jumping on to such expensive options, there are certain steps that you can take and give it a shot yourself. Try out some tried and tested methods first and if you’re still unable to control the situation then hiring a professional is your best bet. Consider the following methods to control the pest situation in your house:

PHEROMONE TRAPS

Best Pest Control Methods

Insects tend to produce specific smells that are knowns as pheromones. These are basically used to attract the opposite sex amongst their species. With the help of science, these scents have been duplicated to such an extent that you can now use them as bait. A particular insect can now be lured into special traps with the help of these artificially created pheromones. While this is a good method to control pests but don’t think of it as a highly effective one. The main drawback that this technique has is that most “sex” traps are generally catering towards the male insects. These will serve as great indicators for a pest situation in a certain area. However, do not expect complete pest control from this method.

FLOATING ROW COVERS

Best Pest Control Methods

This particular fabric is white and porous in nature. It basically serves the purpose of an insect barrier. It allows around 80% of the light to pass through but ensures protection from insects and pests in general. You have the option of going with the heavyweight or the lightweight kinds. If you’re looking to control pest population in summer, then opt for the lighter versions as they will help keep the bugs out without causing any damage to your plants. On the other hand, opt for the heavier kinds during other seasons when you can afford trapping of additional warmth.

STICKY TRAPS

The sticky traps are basically created with the help of a right material of specific color. This material is coated with a unique sticky substance which is basically responsible for catching the insects as they are highly appealed by the color. In order for a sticky trap to work effectively, it should be sticky and clean. Moreover, make sure to use a trap every three to five feet. You can either purchase a sticky trap from a shop or simply create one yourself. Simply look it up on the internet, and you will be able to find simplified instructions on the art behind the sticky traps.

INSECTICIDAL SOAP

These specific types of soap basically consist of long-chain of unsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids basically dissolve the insect’s skin or cuticle. You can easily find insecticidal soap sprays on the market as they are created and sold commercially specifically for pest control. Make sure not to confuse these sprays with the herbicidal soaps as those are essentially catered towards the vegetation and not the insects. Moreover, do not opt for household soaps either, as those are basically detergents and will not help you out of your pest situation. Keep in mind that the insecticidal soap is highly effective only when it comes in contact with the insect while in the liquid form. Don’t expect it to work once it has dried out.

BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS

The Bacillus Thuringiensis is a bacterium that occurs naturally in the soil. You can find an array of different types of this bacterium and some of these are used specifically to target particular classes of pests. Once you spray the BT on a plant and an insect takes a bite of that particular plant, it will develop an infection which will lead to its eventual death. While the process is not an instant one, but it is quite effective and a great preventive measure.

OIL SPRAYS

Oil sprays have a rather instant effect, and they simply work by suffocating the pests. However, in order for an oil spray to be effective, it has to hit the pests at hand directly. In the dormant season, you can use the stronger oils to specifically target the eggs and spores on the shrubs and tree branches. On the other hand, the lighter oils can be used while dealing with horticulture during summer. The lighter versions are less damaging to the plants and tend to evaporate relatively quickly. In order to stop the plant damage, make sure not to spray on the plants that are going through any moisture stress. At the same time, avoid spraying on extremely hot days. To be one the safe side, start off by spraying on a few leaves first before covering the entire plant with the spray. Wait it out for 48 hours and check if there are any signs of spotting or discoloration.

PARASITIC NEMATODES

Before you’re alarmed by the sound of nematodes, make note that these are not the same as the harmful ones. These actually help kill insects by releasing particular bacteria. Once a pest takes these in, it will take around a day or two for the parasitic nematodes to do their work. Although you can find these nematodes naturally in the soil as well, but they’re usually not present in the required quantity. You can, however, buy them from the market and create a pest free environment in your garden.

Final Thoughts

If the aforementioned methods don’t work out well for you, opt for professional to deal with the pest situation. If you don’t have the time to take matters into your own hands, then start off with the professional help but don’t avoid getting the situation handled as soon as possible. Pest control should always be a priority for you and your family. If you have the time for it, try out these methods in order to achieve effective results without any heavy expenditure. Good luck!

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