When you own a home, the worst thing to get is an infestation of pests. The number of homes infested with pests is high, with one in five homes infested with termites, let alone other pests. Normally, when you find a pest in your home, they’ve already been there for a long time. In this article, we will look at how often should pest control be done and the benefits of regular pest control.
What is Pest Control?
The vast majority of pest control is removing pests from the home or other areas of a property. Removing the pests can be done in several ways. There are lethal and non-lethal options with many in today’s market being natural, eco-friendly, and even more humane to the pest.
However, other activities can be included within pest control. For example, pest control can include activities such as the prevention of infestations and looking for signs of past damage caused by infestations.
Not many people think of prevention when it comes to pest control. Though it is important to note that preventing pests from accessing the home or deterring them from staying can prevent more costly and time-consuming removal later on.
How Often Pest Control Should Be Done?
How often do you need pest control? Ideally, you should be doing this as part of your regular home maintenance. Experts suggest that you should have pest control maintenance every three months, though there are going to be homes that will need pest control out every two months for various reasons.
Another time when you will need to have pest control out is when you notice that there are pests in your home or garden. Some of the signs that you need to look out for are:
- Droppings of rodents or insects.
- Damage to buildings/outside buildings.
- Nesting materials appear.
- Damage to food or other items in the home.
- Noises are being heard in walls, cupboards, or roof spaces.
What Factors Affect Your Pest Control Frequency?
How often you should do pest control in your home will depend on several factors. For example, if you live in an urban setting where there is little wildlife, there is going to be a smaller need than if you live in a rural area where termites might have several nests nearby.
Likewise, your lifestyle might also make pest control a more frequent task. For example, those that leave food out in open bins are going to have a more drastic need than those that leave very little waste.
Another factor might be the damage to your home. If there are holes in the walls and available access to outbuildings, rats, mice, and possums are more likely to frequently try to set up homes on your property. However, those who maintain a strong building and fix access points quickly will have a limited need to continually bring back pest control experts.
How Long Does Pest Control Last?
It depends on the pest and the control measure used. Some pest control options last for a long time. For instance, using ultrasonic deterrents can last as long as the deterrent is active. However, there are some options, like using scents and smells that might disappear after a few days. A regular application might be necessary for some areas.
Outdoors, motion-activated devices can help to keep pests away from entering your home.
Damage to buildings can be repaired and for some, it can last forever. However, you might want to regularly check that another access point hasn’t been made by a pest.
When there is a serious infestation, you might need to have monthly visits and treatments.
Benefits Of Pest Control
There are numerous benefits of pest control. For one, it reduces the chance of diseases being spread. Rats, mice, possums, reptiles, and even some insects can spread very significant diseases that can hospitalise or kill a person.
Other pests, like termites, can cause significant damage to buildings too. No insurance policy will cover termite damage, despite 20% of Australian homes suffering from a termite infestation at any time.
And getting in a professional is important because they have the experience to identify the pest, note where the pest has gotten in and is active, and the best way to control them. Not only can they be more cost-effective, but they can also resolve an infestation quicker.
Don't Do Pest Control on Your Own
One temptation is to complete pest control jobs without the help of a professional. The problem is that this can cause more damage than good. Pest controllers are licensed and have insurance and experience to correctly resolve issues the first time.
They are also the ones who know the law and how to remove pests without breaking them.
And some pest control techniques can be harmful to children and pets. For example, home remedies like mothballs can be very dangerous to cats, dogs, and children if ingested. Yet some of the treatments used by pest controllers are much safer.
Conclusion
For the best results, pest control should be done regularly. Every month with some of the worst infestations and at least every month. All work needs to be carried out by a professional. One who has the experience and knowledge to complete the work without potentially causing damage to your home or putting loved ones at risk.
FAQ:
How long does it take to see results after pest control?
Some pest control activities can have an immediate result. However, for some large infestations with big problems, it can take up to six months for the problem to be resolved.
Do you need monthly pest control?
If there is a large infestation, like lots of rodents or a large termite problem with lots of nests, then a monthly treatment with pest control professionals might be necessary.
How frequently should pest control be done?
Pest control should be done regularly. At least once a season, though if there are particular problems in the area, you can look at doing it more regularly, like every two months or perhaps every month.
What should you not do after pest control?
Speak to your pest controller, they might be able to help you with what you need to do after a pest control treatment. They might not advise accessing an area for a short period or keeping ventilation within the affected rooms.
