Get Rid of Pests – Quick and Easy!

Pest problems, stench, spots on your furniture, visible and invisible damages on appliances, these are just some of the indicators that you might have a pest problem. It does not necessarily need to be indoor, there are a lot of pests that flourish outdoors, and they might be in your backyard. It could be why your lawn does not look like in the movies. No need to worry though, because we have everything you need to get rid of all pests that might be invading your home, and how to prevent any showing up in the future. We call this pest control!

It is an ongoing process, and it’s considered maintenance, rather than home improvement. Needless to say, if done correctly, you will not have a better home, but you will also remove any looming health treats.

Things to Consider Before your Approach a Pest Problem

No two pest problems are the same. Some are easy to deal with and are not recurring, but others can turn your life into hell if not dealt with immediately. Although not rocket science, pest solutions can be harmful to you and your family. Moreover, applying the wrong pest solution will not show any positive results. This can make the pest problem even worse than before!

Here are the steps that you should take to ensure that the pests in your home will become a thing of the past, once and for all, or at least, in the near future:

1. Safety – Read the label; there are toxins!
2. Identify the Pest – They come in all shapes and sizes and carry different threats and diseases.
3. Exterminate or Prevent – You cannot prevent if the damage is already done!
4. Fix Damages to Prevent Future Pest Problems – If the damage is done, you have to exterminate, fix the damage and prevent it from happening again!

Applying Pest Solutions – Safety is Non-negotiable

Regardless of what you’re using, be that powder, spray, or even a gel of some sort, they are toxic, and in practice they are poison. Also if you’re about to apply another coat of special paint, that’s toxic as well. The first question you should ask is, how can this harm me, can it hurt me? Chances are, it can and it will if you’re not careful.

We will discuss later how different pests call for various measures, but in essence, the following few things that you have to consider are an excellent guide to finding the best pest solution for the problem you’re experiencing.

Try the Non-Toxic “Remedies” First

ALWAYS look for non-toxic insect solutions first. Or in general, always look for non-toxic pest solutions first.

Why?

Because this will spare you from a lot of hassle when you have to dispose of the containers and questions like whether you’ve applied the powder, poison, coating, gel or whatever, correctly and without any potential threats down the road.

Instead of using rat poison, you can use bait or a trap. Instead of using bug spray, maybe lure them outside. Instead of using fly spray, perhaps you should consider putting fly nets on your door and windows, or use a fly zapper.

READ THE LABEL – WARNING!

Pesticides and other toxic products come with clear instructions on the label. The BIG WARNING SIGN is not put there for no reason. You should carefully read it and respect it. The people who made the stuff know how dangerous it can be in the wrong hands.

KEEP IT AWAY FROM CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES!

Labels also include valuable advice and tips on how to use the product, something which any person should be aware of before the extermination process commences. Same goes for prevention because certain products that prevent pests are also toxic. If you have pests, or you suspect that you will have soon, you will be dealing with toxic products.

Treat the Pesticide Container with Caution – It’s Toxic as Well!

What many people underestimate and do not consider a threat is the container itself. The packaging must be disposed of as soon as possible. Regardless of the material, be that plastic, glass or paper, you should remove it from your household, and keep it away from children. There are traces of the product on it or in it, although small amounts, they can still do damage.

DO NOT USE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CONTAINER

These chemicals can start a reaction if not kept in a proper container. Moreover, if they are not sealed properly, they can also start reacting with the air, lose their potency or become dangerous for the environment where they are.

Changing the container from a glass one to a plastic one can also be extremely dangerous. The chemicals can react with plastic, in practice, turning them into a different compound. Same goes for plastic to paper switch or plastic to glass. Glass is by far the most stable material, but not the safest one, because it can break easily.

Common Types of Pests that Can Invade Your Home and Yard

Most people will never see any of the pests we mention below, yet, we consider them familiar because the people that go through a home pest invasion mainly deal with them. Some pests are easy to get rid of, whereas others take a more advanced approach. Nevertheless, no pest problem can’t be dealt with.

Dealing with Pests Indoors

There are a few things that you have to consider before you buy any insect or other pest solution product.

• The location – is in a bedroom, a kitchen, are there animals or people staying in that room for an extended period?
• The severity – if the pest problem has come to a point where everyday pest extermination products don’t work, you might want to get help from a professional.
• Past Experience – have you had a similar problem before? If the answer is yes, besides extermination, you should consider prevention as well. Find the source!

Once you’ve covered these, you can then identify the pest, and look for a product that can put an end to this problem.

Roaches

Roaches can survive a nuclear war, or at least, that what we’re led to believe. What the case may be, cockroaches are the most resilient type of pests that one household can fall victim to. There are several different types of roaches, but the treatment is the same. Moreover, the steps you should take are mostly the same.

• Identification
• Evaluating the Situation
• Treatment
• Damage Fixing

They are an excellent example of why you need to fix any damages. If you fail to do so, they will invade your home again. Holes in the wall, cracks on doors and windows, basically any opening can be a source of roaches. As long as there are moisture and food for them, they will keep coming back. It’s why the bathroom and the kitchen are the two most common places where you can find roaches.

Best Way to Get Rid of Roaches

There are a few different types of treatments. Generally, you can deal with roaches by:

• Luring them to a bait – creating a cascade effect killing the entire colony.
• Applying poison – killing the roaches that get in touch with it.
• Removing the Roaches Out – clean everything, and cover with anti-insectoids.

Rats and Mice

The problem with rats is that they carry disease and the waste they leave behind stinks like hell. If there’s rat waste, there will be other pests sooner than later. Like roaches, they’re also attracted by food and warm, cozy areas, which they perceive as a safe shelter. Cats are not the best guardians of your home, although, certain types of cats are known to be a decent repellent of mice, but not rats. Rats can grow pretty big if they get the environment and conditions they need.

Biggest Problem in Urban Areas

Mice can be found in nature, but rats are the worst, and a more common occurrence because they prefer urban areas. You probably already know how to deal with rats and mice, but to be sure, let’s cover them:

• Mouse traps – give your children a proper warning that they should not touch it, or even better, put it in a place they can’t reach it. Effective, efficient, clean.
• Glue – Put some glue on cardboard, with some bait on top. Give it some time. Magic! Warning: use the glue with caution, it’s toxic.
• Bait/poison – as the name suggests, we want to poison the mouse or rat. Don’t forget to check up on the trap in a couple of days. You don’t want the body to start to decompose in your home. Throw it out, and don’t touch it with bare hands.
• Cat – Try it; it won’t work in most cases. Domestic cats have become lazy. Treat your rat or mice problem seriously.

Ants

Roaches have endurance, rats and mice come in large numbers, but ants have it all. Moreover, they are well-organized. They’re not big fans of moisture, but they are prepared to go the extra mile to get their food. As long as they find a way in, they will gorge on your leftovers, and go out again, only to come back tomorrow. No need to worry though, there’s an ant treatment that will save you from these annoying little hard workers.

How to Get Rid of Ants

So you think you’ve dealt with them? They haven’t shown up in days, you used the ant spray, and the ant-powder you got. Problem solved! Well, not entirely, there’s a trick! You need to remove the feromones they leave behind. It’s how they can find their way to the food, and back! It’s not like they have a strong sense of smell. Besides this very important, you should get the right ant powder, ant gel and ant spray. Also, close any cracks that you think are enabling the ants to enter your home.

Woodworms

Any furniture made of wood, even the windows are on the menu when it comes to woodworms. They are one of the pests that leave long-lasting damage, and if you don’t take action immediately, the damage is only going to grow. Those holes they make are disgusting!

Preventing Termites is Easier than Exterminating Them

There are a lot of liquid products that can help you if you have termites, also known as woodworms. However, it’s better to prevent that from happening. If the furniture is made of wood, make sure that it’s coated. Another thing they have to reach your furniture first. This is why we always recommend sealing any cracks that might be in the wall, next to windows and doors.

We also recommend replacing all furniture that’s damaged and treat the new furniture, by applying the coating recommended against termites.

Flies

Eventually, winter’s going to end, and flies will become a nuisance once again. Although they don’t bring any long-lasting threats and they don’t do any significant damage, besides leaving black spots on the wall, they are the most annoying out of all pests. They got nothing else to do!

How to Get Rid of Flies?

• Fly Zappers
• Fly Swatters
• Electric Fly Swatters
• Sprays
• Window and Door Screens

You can get rid of mosquitos in the same ways, but you better get the right alternative, as some fly repellents do not work for mosquitos, at least not the non-toxic ones.

Getting Rid of Pests Outdoors

When it comes to outdoor problems with pests, there’s some leeway, because you have more options to choose from. Inside, in your home, you have to be careful with how toxic the product is, how to apply it, and most importantly, does it bring any health threats in the long run. Then again, if you have any pets around, you might want to go easy with the treatment if they are toxic, and you should explore other alternatives.

Mosquitos

Unfortunately, mosquitos are a nuisance both indoor and outdoor, but we thought that it’s better to include them as a dominant outdoor pest problem. They come in different shapes and sizes, but they share one thing in common, they’re all annoying, both while they buzz around you and after!

Luckily, thanks to advanced technology, and SCIENCE, we know what attracts mosquitos and what repels them, so there are a few different ways to get rid of them and enjoy your backyard in summer nights.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitos?

Regardless of the size of your yard, and what you have in it, you can get rid of mosquitos, even the ones of the worst kind. In general, you can either repel them, or kill them, and effectively!

• Fly Zappers
• Fan Mist Screen
• Creams and Gels
• Indoor Mosquito Traps

The last one is the last resort, especially if you have sensitive skin. The thing is, certain mosquito repellent creams and gels come with chemicals that can be harmful, but there are a few organic mosquito repellents that are a great but more expensive alternative.

Fly Zappers are by far the most effective way of dealing with mosquitos. Something is satisfying about that sound when you hear a mosquito ZAP!

Flies

Dealing with flies outdoor is more complicated than indoors, mainly because you have fewer options. A simple fly swatter (although a solid solution) feels like doing Sisyphus job, and they keep coming back. However, much like their distant cousins, the mosquitos, flies are also easy prey of the gadgets the market has to offer in this department.

How to Keep Flies Away Outdoor?

Since they are pretty standard, the majority of people know already how to deal with flies, both indoors and outdoors.

• Fly Traps (Fly tapes)
• Fans
• Aromatic candles
• Swatter

Nothing out of the ordinary here, maybe except for aromatic candles that repel mosquitos. This is a better than expected solution because if it’s windy, there are no flies, and if it rains, well, what are you doing in your backyard?

No See Ums

Similar to mosquitos, but way smaller than them. So small they can go through window screens, yet they are just as annoying. They can ruin the get-together you have in your yard. Yes, they show up uninvited. They’re also commonly referred to as biting gnats, biting midges and sand flies. They vary in size but can be as little as 1mm to 3mm.

What Attracts No-see-ums

Surprisingly, they are attracted to humans, but only because we emit CO₂. Moreover, they are somewhat attracted to lactic acid, meaning you should keep any bottles closed, and try to cover your cups, especially if you’re having soft drinks or wine. The only way to deal with no-see-ums is to repel them. Of course, if you have a mosquito zapper in your yard, they will take care of some of them, but you will still need to put some repellent on your skin.

Earwig

So far, we had a look at pests, insects and whatnot, that require little to no manual labour to get rid of. However, when it comes to earwigs, it gets complicated. The products that repel earwigs or exterminate them are not that different from what we saw already. Nevertheless, the treatment itself is very much different.

How to Deal with an Earwig Infestation?

You can get rid of earwigs naturally, by luring in birds who like to gorge on them. Another safe, non-toxic approach is to vacuum them out of the plants in your yard. This can be time-consuming, but you will remove most of the earwigs instantly. Once you’ve removed them, you can use earwig repellent sprays that are easy to come by. This stuff is useful for other pests as well, but not as effective in some cases. As always, read the label, it will give you the best idea of what else for you can use it.

Rodents

Rats and mice are just the tip of the iceberg. The list is way longer, and we cover all of them along with the best rodent repellent products on the market. Although not as diverse as insects, they can also be quite challenging. The first and most important thing you should do is prevent them from entering your home. As long as they are outside, you can resort to all measures. Once they are in, some of the treatment, repellents or extermination solutions are not available.

How to Keep Rodents Away from Your Household?

Once you identify the type of the rodent problem, you can then choose the relevant of the following. Remember, bigger rodents require stronger dosage, but be careful. If you have outdoor pets, try to keep them away from them.

• Traps
• Baits
• Pesticides

Read the label of the pesticide you’re going to use to spray the lawn. Make sure that you don’t spend too much time there, especially not barefoot. If it rains, you have to apply the pesticide again.

With traps, again, make sure that they are out of reach of your children and your pets. They can be quite painful. Baits, on the other hand, are toxic, but very effective. They are the go-to solution for the majority of people that experience rodent issues in the yards. We have all types of “remedies” available. We also make sure we provide the best possible advice to pinpoint the solution that best fits your case.

What is the Best Solution for Your Pest Problem?

It’s not just the type of pest that matters. The environment in which the pests also need to be taken into consideration. Is it humid? Is there a lot of water? Is it in the open? Is it windy? All of these factors matter. Nevertheless, we mentioned it before, and you should know best which one is the right for you because we will give you some examples that will make it easier for you to decide.

Powder

Powder, in most cases pesticides, is used for ants in most cases. It’s versatile, can be used in most environments, except for highly humid areas. Your bathroom is out of the question. If you intend to use powder pest solutions in your bathroom, or in the kitchen next to piping, where humidity is high, we recommend considering other alternatives. If ants are the problem, consider using gels and taking care of gaps to prevent them from reaching these areas in the first place.

Gel/Bait

Gels are the best for rodents, and insects in general, that you need to lure out any area and dispose of them effectively. Nevertheless, many people tend to avoid baits because they consider them too violent. They are pests, and it’s better for them to leave the house than you to have problems. Overall, gels and baits find an extensive use when dealing with pests. However, make sure you’re using the correct bait. The pheromones used are different!

Traps

Flies, mice, rats, ants, you name it! The bigger the pest, the better traps are. They come in different shapes and sizes, but we do not recommend them for insects. Then again, traps are necessary when it comes to rodents.

Spray

Used mostly as a temporary solution. Sprays are “light-hitters” meaning they prevent pests in the short term only. Alternatively, if the spray is de facto a concentrate than it can be a mid-term solution. Nevertheless, eventually, you will have to take other measures. Sprays are safe and easy to use, as long as you don’t do anything stupid.

In short, sprays are a quick and easy solution, but one that is not permanent.

Coating

Now, this is a long-lasting solution, one that requires a more hands-on approach, and one that can make a difference. For the most part, coating is excellent against woodworms, but there are a few solutions that will make mosquitos and fly go away. Strangely, you can keep the mosquitos by mopping the floor with the right detergent! We’re full of surprises!

Coating works against all pests, no matter the size, no matter the shape, if applied correctly, you will have a better and safer home.

Electronic Devices (e.g. Zappers)

Now, these are the heavy hitters! They can efficiently deal with mosquitos, flies, and there are a few electrical traps that can zap mice and rats as well. However, these come with a heftier price tag. Then again, you need to buy it once, and it will serve you for a lifetime. Zappers are our personal favorite because they are not a health threat, and they are easy to maintain. Unlike other toxic solution, zappers are the clean way of dealing with pests, of the most annoying kind!

Fix Damages to Prevent Future Occurrences

It is an important step that can’t be overlooked. Exterminating and preventing is okay in some cases, but termites and bed bugs; for instance, they do permanent damage. You should make sure that any damages that they’ve caused, or other pests for that matter, is fixed and completely removed. We’re not talking about toxic threat. Chairs can break, wires can be damaged, insulation can be ruined.