Pest Control: Keeping Your Home Free of Critters

Depending on your sensibilities, you may be able to live with a house that is a bit messy. You may be able to deal with a drippy faucet for weeks on end. You might not mind that your yard isn't as green as the neighbor's. But there are very few people who can stand to have their home infested with insects or, worse, rodents. Pest control is a booming business for a reason. We live in a constant struggle to keep our homes free of critters who would find it a comfortable place to live. If you're trying to get insects or rodents out of your home, here are some tips that can help you succeed.

Identification

The same solution isn't going to work for any infestation. For effective pest control, you need to know what you're dealing with. Just knowing you have "bugs" may not be enough to implement a working strategy. The same treatment that eliminates ants won't really work with fleas. If you have termites, you'll need another level of treatment altogether. If you can see the insects, you'll be able to identify them by sight. If not, you'll need to use the markings they leave. Often, droppings are an effective way of determining what you're dealing with. There are a number of resources in both book form and online that can help you make a determination.

Treatment

There are a few considerations that have to go in to deciding which pest control treatment to use, even after you've determined what kind of infestation you're dealing with. Traps may be effective in some cases, while only poisons will work in others. Understandably, many homeowners have concerns about which types of treatments they use. Some chemicals can be harmful to pets and children. Others have concerns about finding the most humane methods possible. Consider all angles before you decide which route to go.

Professional or DIY

If you're dealing with a small, contained problem, you may be able to handle the pest control situation on your own. If you have any doubts about your ability to do so, however, or you're dealing with a problem that goes beyond the scope of an individual's ability to contain, you'll need to contact professionals. Many companies cannot only rid your home of critters, but will provide guarantees. Meaning, simply, that if the problem returns in a specified length of time, they will come out again for free. Make sure the company you contact has experience with the type of infestation you're dealing with.