Misconception #1: You should wait as long as possible before you have your home or business professionally serviced for pest control problems.
This is false. Pests multiply rapidly and if you see one there are probably plenty more in hiding. Many pests produce egg sacks that contain numerous eggs. For instance, the cockroach lays an egg sack containing approximately 15 to 30 baby cockroaches. These baby cockroaches breed in as early as two weeks. A pest infested structure will continually become more infested as long as you ignore the problem. Over the counter sprays and pesticides may hlep slightly, but are not enough alone. The longer you wait to have service the more those pests will multiply and the more difficult it will be to eliminate the problem.
Misconception #2: The only reason to have your home serviced for pests is to get rid of visible infestations.
This is also false. As you already know, for every pest you see there are multiples in hiding. If you have one type of pest in your home then it's likely your home is a good breeding ground for other types of pest. Not surprisingly, those pests build colonies and nurseries in between your walls, underneath your home, and in cracks and crevices you can't see. Some of these pests can be poisonous and potentially dangerous. Even if you currently haven't seen one of these pests, they can climb into your shoes, crawl into clothing, or hide in your bed sheets and surprise one of your loved ones with a venomous bite or sting.
What about pests you hardly ever see? Termites are one example. They remain in hidden voids. You need a certified technician to identify and show you were potential termite infestation may occur. Don't forget about carpenter ants, they too are very dangerous to structures. Again, ask for a certified pest control technician to look over your structure. Only then can you be sure you are protected and can prevent this type of infestation.
Misconception #3: One method of pest control is as good as another.
This is also false. It would be easy to pick a pest control company or pest control method if this was the case, but this is not true. Professional pest control companies should be certified. In addition, they should have a yearly license renewal to keep up-to-date with the latest technology. In many ways that certification is like a degree in pest control. Ask to see the company's credentials and certification. This certification cannot be bought. It has to be earned through hours of education, testing and schooling.
A company who employs well trained and certified technicians will eliminate pest problems much more thoroughly than a non-certified person. Professional technicians are trained to use the correct type of materials for each type of pest problem. In addition, they are trained to eliminate pests from those hidden areas that are virtually impossible to reach unless your technician is a trained and certified professional.
Misconception #4: Do-It-Yourself pest control works as good as hiring a professional pest control technician to treat your home or business?
You can purchase over the counter pesticides. Some of these over the counter pesticides use products with ingredients and chemicals that merely attach the nervous system of the pest. However, once this particular product dries, its effectiveness is completely gone. In these cases the only pests it will affect are those who have direct contact with it while it's wet. So, when you spray, for instance, a cockroach or two, those two will die but the 20 to 40 in hiding will be untouched, alive and multiplying rapidly.
Some people ask if the cockroach carries the chemical back to the nests of other cockroaches to kill them off. Many of these materials don't work that way. In fact, if the cockroach makes it back to the nesting area, the material has dried on its body. It will not affect any other cockroaches.
When using pesticides on ants, you can make teh problem worse. If you spray an anthill, for instance, the live ants carry a signal back to the colony. The ants then spread to satellite colonies. Thus, the ant hills are spread into numerous anthills.
There are industrial strength pesticides you can purchase from janitorial supply stores and other industrial retail locations. The problem with that is some chemicals leave toxic residue that can remain poisonous for years. This is a tremendous threat to your entire family. In addition, some pesticides will not be the right prescription for the pest problem. They can cause allergic and respiratory reactions if you don't know what you're using. So the possibility here is that you might not eliminate the pests you need to eliminate and the toxic residue which may remain in your structure for years to come could harm those you love.
The most effective way to service your home is with a certified pest control technician. General Household Pest Control from Lawn Care Extraordinaire
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gannon_Mahaffay
