When you’re facing a rodent or pest infestation, taking matters into your own hands can be dangerous. If you’re not careful and don’t follow proper pest control methods, even the most sincere DIY removal efforts will backfire, leaving you worse off than before.
So if unwanted pests are poking around your home and property, don’t make the mistake of making mistakes. Keep reading to learn the DIY pest and rodent control tactics that simply do not work.
Dealing with pesky intruders? Don’t be afraid to call an expert!
Call (503) 222-5566 or contact us online
1. Placing mouse traps in high-traffic areas
While a Rat or Mouse may venture out to wide open areas on occasion, these critters tend to stick close to walls and corners. After all, their instinct is to always have an escape strategy close by.
So while you might think placing a trap in the middle of your kitchen, a better strategy is to stick them against walls, behind furniture, and in tight corners. Plus, a trap set out in the open makes it more likely that a family member will accidentally pinch their toe.
2. Overloading traps with bait
When setting a trap, the more cheese, peanut butter, and other bait, the better, right? Wrong!
Overloading a trap with too much bait can actually cause the device to malfunction, giving the critter a better chance of getting away. Instead, a small amount of bait will entice your intruder and ensure the trap can do its job.
3. Using dangerous pesticides or raticides
While the first instinct is often to hit any pesky intruders with a dose of deadly chemicals, using poisons can actually do more harm than good — especially if you have curious kids or animals in the house.
There are serious health and environmental risks associated with pesticide exposure. And with The World Health Organization estimates 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning each year, mostly caused by overzealous and untrained do-it-yourselfers. Spraying harmful chemicals as a way to quickly get rid of pests just isn’t worth it.
Don’t let your DIY efforts lead to sacrificing your health or the safety of your home. It’s better to use biological controls (like scents, tastes, and oils) or enlist the help of an eco-friendly pest control company.
4. Controlling fleas and ticks by only treating your pets
If Fleas and Ticks are your problem, treating your pets with a veterinarian-recommended medication is a great first step — but it isn’t enough to completely stop or prevent the problem.
You’ll also need to eliminate the Fleas and Ticks that may be hidden in your home or yard and ensure they can’t pop up again.
5. Setting off bug bombs
A bug bomb spreads a fog of chemicals into your space. While this tactic is meant to control pesky critters, the chemicals in these bombs can also seep into your carpet, furniture, and walls and hurt your health.
Bug bombs often have very high toxicity ratings — frequently higher than a professional exterminator would use. This isn’t something you want in your home. Plus, some studies show that your pests will sense the chemicals and immediately flee deeper into your walls, escaping the effects of the poison. Additionally, bug bombs have a very low residual so there is no longer term benefit to preventing a return of the infestation.
6. Killing bugs with electric swatters
An electric bug swatter will definitely help get rid of a few Mosquitos, Flies, or Moths, but if that’s your only method of control, you have a long road ahead.
Zapping away a bug here or there won’t make a significant impact on an infestation. Plus, these kinds of swatters are dangerous for houses with young families and could even cause an electrical fire.
7. Using gasoline to control Bees and Wasps
A common myth is that pouring or throwing gasoline (or any other type of chemical) into or around a beehive is an effective way to control infestations. This is not true!
Not only will using gasoline contaminate groundwater and kill plants, it’s a great way to start a fire and damage your property.
8. Setting out some bait (and that’s it)
Many people think setting bait is enough to control a problem like ants or cockroaches. In fact, truly eliminating an infestation involves solving the root of the issue. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in a loop of laying bait forever.
Fixing the root of the problem may involve…
- Sealing openings in your walls
- Checking doors and windows for gaps
- Cleaning up your pantry or sealing food in airtight containers
- Improving the condition and cleanliness of garbage cans or dumpsters
You also need to makes sure you don’t forget about the bait you’ve set out. For example, if your bait is in a trap (like a mouse or racoon trap) then you need to check these traps every few days for captures. And if you’re using a liquid poison bait, you should ensure it doesn’t sit for so long that it gets moldy.
9. Waiting for the problem to resolve itself
If you’re dealing with pests in your crawlspace, basement, or attic, you may not feel directly affected by the problem. Afterall, you probably don’t venture into these areas often (if at all).
This mindset is what leads many homeowners facing an investigation to simply cross their fingers and hope the problem will eventually just go away.
It’s a nice idea, but left alone, a pest problem will only multiply and get worse (not better). The longer you wait, the more likely these pests will cause serious damage to your home — from electrical damage to disease.
10. Trying to DIY more than twice
Sometimes, a simple DIY pest control solution is enough to stop and prevent any future problems. Maybe you really did just have one mischievous mouse in your house. However, if you’re repeating your efforts, it’s a good sign you have a bigger issue and need to call in the professionals.
We’re here to help with eco-friendly pest control
We know that there’s nothing more annoying than a pest infestation or rodent problem in your home. Thankfully, you don’t have to handle it on your own. Our pest and rodent removal tactics are quick, effective, and safe.
We use specially formulated pest removal and extermination treatments to target and eliminate pest infestations — all while being 100% safe for your entire family.
Contact us today and let us know how we can help.