Imagine: It is now five in the afternoon. After a long day of work, you cannot wait to lie down and rest up, maybe even eat a few snacks. So, you open the door to your house with the words “Home, at last.” Yet, you step inside to find you have unwelcomed guests. How long will you wait before you call your West Palm Beach Pest Control.
Our homes are our safe space. But what if the place we look to for comfort becomes where we want to leave? There is no better solution than to call the professional right away. If you are one of those who now feel uncomfortable and unsafe with the little creepy crawlies lurking in the shadows, flying in the air, or sticking to the walls, then you know it’s time for professionals to manage pest control.
Understanding Pests
What Are They?
There are a lot views for what we consider “pests.” Some think spiders are pests, but they serve the purpose of getting rid of little nuisance bugs. Others think roaches are pests because they don’t really have a useful purpose in the circle of life. So what are they and where can we find them?
One definition is that a pest is an animal that injures humans, other animals, plants, or structures. Such damages are caused by their ability to also spread diseases.
It is also determined that pests are those that compete with humans, animals, or plants for food and water.
Residential pests appear in various forms and shapes. The most common ones are rodents and insects, including rats, bats, pigeons, bedbugs, fleas, house flies, and beetles, as listed by the LGL District Health Unit.
Where Are They?
Now you may be wondering, “I don’t see one right now.” You don’t, or maybe just not yet. According to Active Times, these are the secret places where pests can possibly run and hide within your house:
- Ceiling: Spiders and cockroaches are usually successful in climbing up to high places in your house. The tall vantage point also makes it easier and more effective for them to prey for food.
- Furniture. Any kind of furniture can attract pests. They can feast on either synthetic fabrics or animal fibers.
- Under Piles of Paper: Not even the neatest bookshelf can escape pests. They munch on your papers and treat them as food, which leads to damages and leftover bacteria.
- Closets: The closet is considered to be the ideal hideout for pests. It’s dark and only has a few tiny holes, but it’s enough for pests to come and go as they please.
Listed above are the most common places to find pests inside your homes. However, they still thrive anywhere and everywhere. They can also live comfortably in your car, garage, and even your plants.
The Frequency of Residential Infestation
Did you know that pests are most prevalent in houses with structural problems, water leaks, or those within half a block away from trash or abandoned buildings?
Data gathered by the U.S. Census tells us that about 14 million, out of approximately 124 million house units in the United States, have been reporting the presence of roaches during the last 12 months.
According to the same source, income also affects the presence of pests inside the home. In the survey, a household with a median annual income of $69,000 experienced weekly sightings of roaches, compared to an income of $35,800 who have reported daily roach sightings.
During Rodent Awareness Week in 2017, Pest World made an infographic discussing the results of the survey on rodent experiences by American homeowners. The infographic illustrates that more than one-third of 37% have seen a rodent in their house.
Moreover, 17% of American homeowners have stated that when they would spot a pest or rodent in their house, their first and foremost concern would be the possible spread of diseases carried by them.
Another concern shared by the homeowners is that even if they only encounter one rodent or pest, they would be too worried that many more will follow. This concern is based on the fact that rodents, like mice, have the capability to reproduce up to twelve babies every three weeks.
Within the numerous amounts of statistical data, it’s almost undeniable that these carried communicable diseases are prone to adverse or critical situations.
Hazardous Risks When Living With Pests
Pests, whether you notice them or not, leave traces of their footprints wherever they run to in your house. Their invisible traces should already be a cause of worry. To further help us understand, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has created a list.
- Cockroaches: They cause and spread asthma, allergy, and food contamination.
- Body, Head, and Crab Lice: Although tiny in size, these cause skin irritation and rashes. They may also be the cause for louse-borne diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and epidemic relapsing fever.
- Mosquitoes: As they fly anywhere they want, they may also land to release disease-causing bacteria, like malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and others.
- Bed Bugs: From the name, itself, they live in the edges of our beds and bite us. Their bites may then cause allergic reactions.
- Rats and Mice: They may cause rodent-borne diseases and contaminate our food.
The significant effects to contact with pests vary. The EPA has noted that continuous studies must be made in order to discover more human health risks and problems originated by pests.
D.I.Y. – Don’t Infest Yourself
When you want to do or know about something, the first step may be to ask your family members or close friends, thinking that they may know what to do. If not, our next move is to seek help from our good and reliable friend – the internet.
With the many innovative ideas and skills that people have and are able to develop, it is truly no wonder we’re capable of coming up with home remedies to a lot of problems. However, it should not be the case when dealing with pest infestation.
The Efficacy of Homemade Pesticides
The University of California elaborates on the consequential reasons as to why homemade pest control remedies may cause more harm than good.
From their research, the home remedy ingredients for pest control are made from items found within our house–mostly in the kitchen. An instance shown is the mixing of dish soap, garlic, and vinegar to create a pesticide formula.
Although these materials are generally known to be safe on their own and for the purpose originally designed, mixing all the ingredients together may be a probable cause for toxic substances to spread.
Moreover, the ingredients and output of the mixture have not been tested for potency, efficiency, and safety. Despite being safe at first, the ingredients may turn toxic when proceeding with the so-called process of making a do-it-yourself pesticide.
Currently, there is still no valid nor registered data to prove and support the effectiveness of home remedy and homemade pesticides.
The Goals For Control
The Extension Pesticide Program has laid out and identified pest control goals. These goals are said to be successfully done individually or in combination with others.
Firstly, prevention. Its objective is to prevent the abundance of pests in our homes in advance. This means that if your household is aware of or feels that pests may be among them, action should be taken rather than waiting for situations to be unfavorable or severe.
Secondly, suppression. Its intention revolves around reducing the number of pests currently making themselves present. Since pests and rodents are known to easily reproduce, they must be handled and suppressed before they become ampler in numbers.
Lastly, eradication. Its purpose is to completely destroy an entire population of pests and rodents. This is the most difficult goal to achieve. Eradication can only be attempted in cases wherein a foreign pest has been introduced.
Are You Looking For The West Palm Beach Pest Control Remedy?
Now that we’ve discussed what pests are, we know that pest control is a serious matter. Without it, our overall health gets affected, sometimes without our knowledge. As they say, “prevention is better than cure.”
Even if we believe that pests do not occupy our spaces, and maybe it is so, they will always find a way to get in if they choose to do so. Therefore, it would be in your family and loved one’s best interest to conduct and manage regular pest control.
We know we cannot do it on our own, and if we try then it would not be as effective as it should be. Not to mention, it would add many risks. We need professional services to aid us. If you are having trouble with pests in your home, consider hiring pest control professionals. They want to help!
