WHY DO WE NEED PEST CONTROL?
WHY DO WE NEED PEST CONTROL?
While it is often tempting to try one’s hand at getting rid of an annoying pest, below are just a few of the many reasons why we need pest control and why hiring a professional pest control company is usually the best idea.
• Health & Safety
First and foremost, health and safety are the leading reasons why pest control is necessary. That is because an untrained homeowner can be at risk of injury or serious disease when attempting to eradicate insects or rodents using do-it-yourself pest control methods.
• Effectiveness
Although there are many types of do-it-yourself pest control products available, few if any have the ability to offer both the initial and the long-term effectiveness provided by the professional-grade products and materials accessible only to licensed exterminators.
• Prevention
In addition to the initial results, consulting with an experienced pest control company can often lead to long-term pest prevention by identifying entry points, making interior/exterior changes/upgrades, and implementing other factors associated with Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Damage Control
If allowed, rodents, termites, wood-boring beetles and other pests can cause widespread damage to flooring, drywall, insulation, wiring, and foundations. Hiring a professional pest control provider can help protect against such damage through early detection and effective eradication.
• Time & Effort
Inspecting and providing effective treatment for ants, termites, bed bugs, and other insects can prove extremely time consuming and require much work and effort. This is often so even when a homeowner may have access to the necessary equipment and possesses the knowledge needed for proper pest identification and the respective eradication procedures.
• Peace of Mind
Along with the assurance that comes from knowing that the job was done right by hiring an experienced exterminator, additional peace of mind comes from the warranties carried by most types of pest control services, in the event follow up treatment is needed.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD PEST CONTROL BE DONE?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD PEST CONTROL BE DONE?
How often pest control should be done is dependent upon a variety of factors, including location, pest type, type of structure, and degree of comfort.
• One-Time Service Call
The one-time service can prove beneficial in those instances when a pest is suddenly seen for the first with no previous instances having been observed. With proper pest identification, treatment type, and all necessary preventative measures taken, the one-time service may be all that is needed to solve the particular issue. Rodents are typically a good example of when the one-time service call is appropriate.
• Quarterly Service Plan
The most often-used residential pest control schedule is the quarterly service plan. That is because this program not only resolves the immediate problem during the first or initial treatment, but then provides routine maintenance against the original pest issue in addition to any new pest problems that may arise.
This plan offers year-round protection combating a variety pests known to be at their peak activity and population levels during the various seasons:
• Spring
Springtime usually involves treatment and prevention for ants, bed bugs, centipedes, earwigs, and termites.
• Summer
Summer pest control involves treatment and prevention for ants, bees, bed bugs, fleas, hornets, mosquitoes, ticks, and wasps.
• Fall
During the fall season pest control generally involves treatment and prevention for ants, box elder bugs, lady bugs, rodents, spiders, and termites.
• Winter
Winter typically calls for the treatment and prevention for fleas, rodents, spiders, and termites.
Finally, the quarterly service plan provides ample protection in most regions of the country.
• Monthly Service Plan
While the quarterly service plan is the most widely-used program for residential treatments in most locations, some areas such as the southeast often need monthly treatments to maintain a pest-free environment.
Additionally, many businesses opt for a monthly service plan to ensure the greatest level of protection possible.
PEST CONTROL INSPECTION
PEST CONTROL INSPECTION
An experienced pest control technician knows where and what to look for while inspecting for an array of pests such as ants, bees, rodents, spiders, and termites. Common points of entry that will typically be inspected, include:
• Attic
• Basement
• Ceilings
• Crawl space
• Eaves/Soffits
• Flooring
• Garage
• Foundation
• Interior/Exterior Doors
• Interior/Exterior Windows
• Walkways
In the event the technician discovers evidence of a pest problem, treatment options along with a free estimate are usually provided. Additionally, service can be performed immediately in most cases.
Early detection can prove invaluable when it comes to timely eradication and substantial cost avoidance involving potential pest-related property damage.
PEST CONTROL AND APARTMENTS
PEST CONTROL AND APARTMENTS
As a result of multiple people and households sharing buildings and complexes, apartment living can prove problematic for renters when it comes to pests. This is particularly so when it comes to controlling insects such as ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, and rodents, and silverfish, due to such living arrangements providing an opportunity for pests to travel quickly and easily between apartments by slipping under/through doors and windows, vents, and utility lines.
In such environments as these, prevention is especially important.
Some general pest prevention tips are provided below.
• Keep counters and floors clean and dry
• Vacuum floors often
• Keep pet areas clean and dry
• Keep stored foods covered
• Periodically inspect for leaks and moisture spots in kitchens and bathrooms
• Inspect boxes and packages left in common areas before bringing deliveries inside
Repeated pest sightings should be reported to management.
PEST CONTROL AND PETS
PEST CONTROL & PETS
As caring owners, there is obvious concern as to whether indoor and outdoor pest control is safe for pets.
In short, the answer is yes.
That is because the Environmental Protection Agency is mandated by Congress to ensure that registered pesticides "do not pose unintended or unreasonable risks to humans, animals, and the environment." Additionally, it is unlawful to sell, use, or distribute an unregistered pesticide.
These safety assurances are issued with the assumption that all requirements regarding the intended purpose and proper application of the respective product will be adhered to.
• Indoor Pest Control
In most instances, products can be administered indoors without the need for occupants to vacate the premise.
However, while it is also safe for pest to remain inside during the treatment process, they must be kept away from all treated surfaces until they are dry. Generally, this will require no longer than one or two hours.
It is also best to remove/cover food and water bowls, toys, blankets, and other items that pets are likely to chew on or consume.
Additionally, pets such as fish, birds, and reptiles should have their tanks, cages, and bowls covered or removed from the areas to be treated.
• Outdoor Pest Control
For outdoor pest control services, pets should be kept away from the treated areas until the surfaces have dried. In some cases this may take 24 hours or more.
SafeGuard's technicans have the required knowledge and training necessary for the proper product application.
Inquire with the attending pest control technician with any additional questions or concerns.
PEST CONTROL QUALIFICATIONS
PEST CONTROL QUALIFICATIONS
• Pest Control Business
All pest control businesses operating within the state of Pennsylvania must obtain licensing from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA).
License requirements include certification through successful passage of at least two written examinations. Continued training is required to maintain certification.
Additionally, pest control companies are required to maintain comprehensive general liability insurance coverage, which requires a minimum of $200,000 of coverage consisting of $100,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 coverage for property damage per occurrence.
• Pest Control Technician
Registered pest control technicans must have received training as mandated by the Pennsylvania Pesticide Rules and Regulations, which also include direct training provided by an individual with at least one year's certification for each category he/she is to receive training.
Additionally, re-registration and updated training must be obtained each year.