Discovering pests inside your home can be stressful, especially at the start of an infestation. Whether it is cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, or termites, most homeowners want them gone right away.
The good news is there are several DIY ways to manage pest populations. However, if DIY methods fail, it may be time to enlist professional support.
Stop pests before they gain a foothold. Preventative methods keep pests outside and prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place.
Keep closets, garages, and under sinks clutter-free. Under sinks attract cockroaches, silverfish, earwigs. Closets hide spiders and moths.
Eliminate food sources to eliminate pests. Keep areas clear of trash and debris. Sweep and vacuum floors to remove crumbs.
Clean after cooking, wash dishes, keep counters spotless. Deep clean drawers, around stovetop, next to appliances. Store food in sealed containers.
Check for leaky faucets/pipes. Pay attention under sink and behind toilet. Discard excess paper waste (pests eat cellulose).
Check laundry connections, HVAC condensate lines, basements. Fix leaky pipes. Use dehumidifiers.
Mosquitoes need only a bottle cap of water for eggs. Check potted plants, bird baths, gutters, other receptacles.
Termites and carpenter ants are drawn to wet wood. Fix leaks and treat exposed wood to prevent saturation.
Do not leave pet food outside or in the open. Store in lidded metal containers 6 inches off the ground (rodents chew through plastic).
Insects and rodents are small creatures that do not need much space. They can crawl or fly inside through open windows/doors, torn screens, vents, loose pipe fittings, or just about any small opening.
Need only an opening the size of a pen to crawl through.
Need a hole the size of a quarter. Can crawl under doors.
Usually introduced on uninspected furniture, luggage, or by pets.
Important: Rodents are extremely destructive and can chew their way through most obstacles, creating their own access points.
Identify access points and seal them off to prevent pests and rodents from entering your home.
Check under siding with a mirror. Stuff gaps with copper mesh or aluminum foil, then fill with expanding weatherproof foam.
Seal gaps between siding and trim using acrylic latex caulking to create an adhesive barrier.
Use adhesive weather stripping to eliminate gaps below and around doors and windows.
Flying insects find torn screens easily. Replace damaged screens to prevent bug access.
Check dryer vents and other openings. Replace damaged vent covers to prevent bugs and rodents from crawling inside.
free quote and guaranteed results from licensed professionals.
Call (866) 326-2847Even with prevention and exclusion, pests sometimes find their way inside. DIY methods may be effective if implemented quickly and correctly.
Use snap traps (most effective). Place 2 parallel to the wall against baseboard, facing away from each other.
Use a broom or duster to eliminate spider homes and their ability to trap food. Spiders should disappear shortly.
Use flea medications and collars. For flea infestations, vacuum thoroughly to pick up eggs. Bag and discard contents outside immediately.
Create exterior barrier that infects pests on contact. Also effective as local spot treatment.
Diatomaceous earth or borax can be sprinkled or injected into wall cavities and deep into carpets.
Infect cockroaches, ants, termites. Designed to infect a colony and kill the entire population.
While DIY methods are sometimes effective, there are several reasons why they are not always recommended:
Pro Tip: By the time you see pests, there is usually a much larger underlying problem. The best plan of action is to schedule a free pest inspection.
Valuable insight into problematic areas and potential treatment strategies.
Competitive pricing saves money, time, and effort compared to DIY pest control.
Licensed and trained on safe, legal pesticides. Applications done safely for your home and family.
EcoGuard stands by services and will return if the pest problem is not fully exterminated.
If DIY pest control strategies failed to contain an infestation, it is time to schedule a free pest control inspection. EcoGuard Pest Management has licensed and trained pest control experts who know how to handle every pest problem. We will create a customized treatment plan to effectively exterminate any bugs or rodents causing problems.
Yes, DIY pest control can be done by homeowners, but larger infestations may be difficult to treat without professional help. It is often cheaper and more effective to hire a professional for guaranteed results.
Different pests require different pesticides, which is why professionals are recommended. EcoGuard's team has years of experience and can determine the right pesticide applications to use.
Bug spray is only effective as local spot treatment. It may work for small pest problems but will not impact larger infestations. Bug bombers are not recommended as they are proven ineffective against severe infestations.
