What NOT To Do When You Have A Pest Problem
Pests in the home represent a big problem for you and everyone living inside. Aside from presenting some health complications, pests can make your home life a living hell. We’re sure you know someone who has had a rat in their attic, and they confided that the constant scratching and scuttling sounds nearly drove them crazy. It’s the same for any pest infestation – they make you want to move house – and the longer they stay there, the more damage they’re likely to do!
Reacting to a pest problem is crucial and you need to move quickly. You can’t risk parts of your properly being contaminated or severely damaged. You want to kick things into action, yet you MUST be aware of what not to do when you have a pest problem. Make the wrong decisions here and you’ll only exacerbate the problem.
Further Reading: Sustainable Living 6 Essential Hacks for a Clean and Healthy Home
Did you know? Pest Problems by Season?
- Spring: clothes moths, wasps, mice and rats
- Summer: bed bugs, fleas, wasps, cockroaches, house flies, rats, mice and ants
- Autumn: spiders, mice and rats
- Winter: mice and rats
3 FAQ – What NOT To Do When You Have A Pest Problem
Q: I’ve noticed rodent droppings in an area of my home, is the area still a safe place for my family to hang out in?
A: What NOT To Do When You Have A Pest Problem
Touch Any Areas The Pest Has Been
If you spot signs of pests in your home, avoid touching these areas. You have no idea what sort of diseases some wild animals can carry, so you put yourself, your family and your pets at a huge risk by touching the areas or spending too much time around them. Yes, these areas will need to be cleaned, but save that for the experts – and wait until the pests have been removed first.
Q: My neighbour has advised me that I can get rid of the rat in my attic myself, is it safe?
A: What NOT To Do When You Have A Pest Problem
Try To Remove The Pests Yourself
It’s tempting, but never attempt to remove pests yourself – especially rodents. Again, you risk harming your health by coming into contact with different pests, but you also have no idea how to handle these animals. Look for a professional rat removal or pest control service to take care of this for you. It can feel like overkill, but there are skills involved in safe and efficient pest removal.
Some animals – like bats – are protected by government legislation, so you need to know how to get them out of your house without breaking the law. Ideally you want to remove the pests as humanely as possible, which might not be feasible on your own.
Avoid laying down traps and let the professionals take care of this for you. They should also help you prevent further pest infestations by finding the breached areas and boarding them up.
Q: There’s a rat in my kitchen what am I gonna do? I’ve seen gadgets that helps remove them, should I buy one?
A: What NOT To Do When You Have A Pest Problem
Waste Money On Ultrasonic Pest Control Devices (if you already have pests in your home)
When you have a pest problem, your immediate instinct is to search online for a solution. Here, you’ll be presented with a series of ultrasonic pest control devices. They plug into a socket and claim to emit an ultrasonic frequency that keeps pests away.
And that’s the point – they might, if you’re lucky, keep the likes of rodents away if you don’t have any unwanted guests to begin with. But if you already have an unauthorised lodger or two – they’re not going to get rid of them.
So although ultrasonic pest control devices sound scientifically convincing, the fact remains that there’s hardly any conclusive evidence that ultrasonic pest repellers work. Most studies draw blanks and the consensus from the scientific community is that they’re a waste of money. So don’t bother buying them if you already have pests in your home, as you’ll only be throwing cash down the drain and the device in the bin!
Avoid doing all three of these things when you have a pest problem and get some professional help instead. Remember to act as quickly as possible so you can free yourself from the pest nightmare and make your house a home once more.
Photos by Aleksandra Sapozhnikova
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