Determining the optimal timing for deploying pest management strategies can be challenging for numerous individuals and families. This challenge arises from the varied aspects that must be evaluated in determining the need for pest control interventions. The primary aim of pest control actions is to prevent undesirable pests from invading residential areas. Given that pests can transmit diseases and create disturbances, it is crucial to manage them effectively.
Pest control is necessary when controlling and handling pest infestations. It is also necessary as a preventative step for locations that are susceptible to pests. Homeowners, businesses, and farms are advised to undergo pest control every quarter or once bi-monthly to prevent or limit the spread of pests.
When is pest control necessary?
Pest control is necessary for every household. Deciding when exactly, it is necessary to apply pest control will depend on various factors. The type of building, the weather of the location, the type of pest control (prevention or control), etc. for instance, apartment residents will require pest control more than homeowners, and pest control is better applied in summer than in winter or rainy seasons, etc.
However, pest control is necessary when the breeding time of harmful pests like bed bugs, mosquitoes, etc. is ongoing as they can be killed effectively, and the risk of disease transmission is reduced. Households with children who are more vulnerable to these diseases also require regular pest control.
Where is regular pest control necessary?
Pest control is necessary to reduce the number of pests in living spaces. Knowing where pest control is needed is very important. This is because these locations need pest control as they are liable for pest infestation due to various reasons. There are two major groups of living spaces that require regular pest control. They include;
Residential settings
Regular pest control is necessary for Residential settings like apartments, condos, houses, etc. These places require regular pest control as they are susceptible to pest infestations.
Simple activities like cooking and eating can cause spills and messes. If not cleaned properly can attract rodents like rats and mice. Improper or irregular waste disposal and home hygiene can also lead to pest infestations.
Commercial settings
Regular pest control is necessary for places like commercial kitchens, restaurants, cafes, public lunch rooms, etc. these locations usually have a lot of human traffic and are susceptible to pest infestations.
Improper disposal of food and waste, food spills, poor food storage, poor hygiene, etc. usually cause scrap-eating pests such as rats and cockroaches to invade such settings.
Agricultural settings
Regular pest control is necessary for sectors like agriculture, construction, etc. for instance in agriculture, the leaves, fruits, and seeds of most plants attract a lot of pests and this can damage the crops greatly. Also, houses near farmlands are susceptible to pest infestations.
How often should pest control be done?
Knowing how often pest control should be done is very important for many households and commercial locations as pest infestations are very hard to deal with. The following factors will determine how often should pest control be done
The location of your home
houses in areas with warm and humid temperatures will require more frequent pest control than homes in areas with colder temperatures. Many insect pests love warm and humid weather e.g mosquitoes etc.
The construction age and type of building materials
The age of a building and the material used can determine how often pest control should be applied. Older households and those built with wood will require more frequent pest control than newer houses and houses built with concrete and cement.
Level of sanitation
Cleaner houses require less pest control. This is because clean environments do not attract rodents and insects, however, homes with low levels of sanitation attract rodents and insects and will require frequent pest control.
The type of landscape surrounding your home
Homes surrounded by lakes, trees, large gardens, etc will require frequent pest control more often than houses in urban areas. Houses in overpopulated cities will also require more frequent pest control.
The type of target pests you are treating
Some are persistent and require regular pest control applications to get rid of them. The pest to be controlled will determine how frequently pest control should be applied.
Generally, households should apply pest control as often as every quarter of the year or once bi-monthly in certain cases. Regular application of pest control is effective in preventing and controlling pests.
How much does pest control cost?
When pest control is necessary, finding the best pest control professionals to deal with the issue can be the difference between a recurrence or a pest-free location. Here are some factors that will determine the cost of pest control;
- Size of the location; larger houses or yards will require more products, labor, and manpower, hence, it will cost more.
- Type of pest; some pests require special products which can add to the bill. E.g pest control for bed bugs and termites costs more than pest control for ants and moths.
- The level of infestation; the more pests to deal with, the more products, labor, and manpower, hence a higher cost.
- The number of visits needed; some pest control treatments require frequent application. The higher the number of visits, the higher the cost.
- Your location; different locations have different prices.
- DIY or professionals; hiring a professional pest control company will cost higher than doing it yourself.
Generally, pest control in the average American home of 3,000 sq. feet will cost $240 for the first visit on average. Subsequent quarterly visits cost $100 per visit while monthly visits cost $50 to $70 per visit on average. A yearly plan costs $650 to $700 on average. One-time visits cost about $400 to $500.
Pest Control; Do-It-Yourself or hire a professional pest control service?
After deciding when pest control is necessary, choosing whether to do it yourself or hire a professional pest control service is very important. There are several factors to take into consideration such as the scale of labor, the necessary pieces of equipment, cost, etc.
| Do-It-Yourself pest control | Professional pest control service |
|---|---|
| Doing it yourself is usually cheaper than hiring professionals. | Professional pest control services are usually expensive. |
| DIY is not always effective in preventing and controlling pests and is better for smaller jobs. | Professional pest control services are very effective in preventing and controlling pests and are the better choice for big jobs. |
| DIYers are not well trained in handling toxic pesticides and chemicals used in handling pests. This can be potentially harmful if not handled properly. | Professional pest control services are well-trained in handling toxic pesticides and chemicals used in handling pests. |
| DIY may not have access to necessary pieces of equipment as they are not available at most hardware stores | Professional pest control services have all the necessary equipment and training needed to handle any pest infestations |
| DIYers usually have no background knowledge on how to prevent and control pests properly. | Professional pest control services provide great advice on how to prevent and properly control pests. |
| If any damage to the home is caused when doing it yourself, there is no liability insurance to cover the damages. | Professional pest control service usually has liability insurance services for any damage and protects you and your home. |
| Doing pest control yourself may not give the required results. | They are more trusted and offer favorable results, especially for large pest infestations. |
You can do it yourself when it comes to smaller jobs and low pest infestations. When dealing with bigger sq. feet of houses and yards or high levels of pest infestations, hire a professional pest control service for better results.
Is pest control necessary in new homes?
Whether or not pest control is necessary when moving into a new house is a question many homeowners ask. Well, pest control is necessary for new houses. This is because these houses have gaps and spaces, have leftover building materials, and usually have fresh dirt around them. All these and more usually encourage pests.
Applying pest control in a new home before moving in is a very good choice. This is because of any pests that have been hidden in the building or surrounding areas. Preventative pest control methods can also be used in new homes.
Importance of pest control
Pest control is very necessary as pests if not controlled can cause a lot of damage and harm to humans. Here are some of what pest control does.
- Pest control helps to curb certain diseases that are usually spread by these pests. E.g applying pesticides to a mosquito-ridden area will reduce the risk of malaria etc.
- It eradicates pests in buildings and houses. Pests can cause serious damage to the structure of buildings causing them to lose their integrity. E.g. Termites usually eat the wood used in buildings and can damage the structure over time.
- It helps in controlling pest population in agricultural areas. Pests cause a lot of damage to crops as 20% of crops are consumed by pests.
- Pest control is a very important part of keeping the family safe and healthy and is extremely necessary.
