Over-the-counter pesticides and insecticides are readily available for anyone to DIY pest control their home. I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing so I researched the topic and found some tips and tricks that might help you in your DIY pest control endeavors.
If you prefer doing DIY pest control in your house then this is a great guide of do’s and don’ts of pest control. You might want to know some preventative tips like keeping your property clean and clutter free. The do’s include disposing of the product as the label instructs and disposing of products in the correct location. The don’ts include don’t use products for outside use inside your house and don’t mix products.
Various home plans are available to us to help to get rid of these nasty pests if you need to get them out of your home. Doing it yourself instead of relying on someone else is a cost-effective and convenient option but it can be hazardous if you do not do it correctly. Be sure to understand exactly what you’re doing when using these solutions, here are some tips that might help you along the way
Preventing a pest infestation
I suggest following these preventative measures to avoid having to do pest control or calling in a professional in the first place.
All these tips help eliminate sources of shelter, food or water from pests.
- Be sure to check for pests in storage containers and boxes before you bring it home
- Make sure that you dispose of garbage on a regular basis
- Keep your garbage in sealed metal containers that are strong enough to prevent pests from chewing through it.
- Make sure to keep your pet food in metal containers to prevent rats from chewing into it
- Keep a clean and tidy house free from clutter and dirt
- Ensure pests don’t have entry into your home by stealing up openings and holes in your house with sealant or caulking
- Prevent any moisture spots in your house by fixing leaky plumbing and dripping taps.
- Drain bodies of water in your house to prevent pests being attracted to it
- If you want more information as to why pests will be attracted to your house click this link.
Do’s of pest control
- Make sure children and pets aren’t around when using pest control methods. If possible have them leave the house
- Use a non-toxic or low-toxicity pesticide which will kills insects and rodents but won’t harm your children or pets. If this isn’t possible keep the product you use out of reach of children
- When using bait or traps think clearly of the location that you’re using it, keep it where the pests frequent. Don’t fall into the temptation of moving it all over your house, rather use more.
- If using a pesticide which doesn’t use bait or traps make sure to direct it at locations where pests are known to gather ie: spray close to nests
- Use ready mixed pesticides, this way there’s no chance of you getting the ingredient amounts incorrect
- Be sure that you’re using pesticides that are safe to use in the home, read the labels thoroughly
- When you do your own pest control be sure to dispose of the products in the way that the label suggests
- You should only apply as much pesticide and suggested as over applying or under applying can cause negative effects such as causing reactions to you or not controlling the infestation
- Research as much as possible to know about the products that you’re using as well as the pests that you are using it on
- Find the exact location of the pest nests that you are trying to get rid of.
- Be sure to read and understand the instructions on the labels carefully before using the product
- If you are unsure about anything with a regards to pest control I highly recommend you contact a pest control specialist in your area
- When disposing of pesticides don’t dispose in normal garbage if the label instructs not to. Look for hazardous waste collection sites as they will be able to dispose of pesticides appropriately. Your waste disposal authority should have information on where to take the containers.
- Tell your neighbors if you have an infestation or any pests. If you’re living in an apartment then the apartment’s two rows around you (side, front and top) need to be checked for infestation
- If you realize that you have pests it’s better to get it under control sooner rather than later. Do this before the infestation becomes too much for you to handle and extends to the whole neighborhood
- Be sure to keep products out of children’s reach especially traps
- Fortify the inside and the outside of your house after pest control, make sure to close up holes or cracks using sealant or caulk.
- If the pest control instructions suggest using the product on a regular basis follow the instructions or the infestation will come back
- If you are using a pesticide where you have to mix ingredients make sure to follow the instructions mixing only the correct amount at the correct time
Don’ts of Pest Control
- Do not mix pesticides with each other. This can pose some health risks to you and your family
- Do not transfer one pesticide solution into the bottle of a different pesticide.
- When you are finished with one pesticide bottle be sure not to store any other liquids or solids in the pesticide container
- Take note of whether you using indoor or outdoor pesticides, outdoor pesticides are dangerous to use indoors. These pesticides usually linger and remain toxic for longer than indoor ones.
- Insecticides and pesticides are different, do not mix up these terms and products. Combining them won’t create a more potent solution
- Don’t only use insecticides on the insects you see. The colony or nest is usually much larger than the couple you see. Find the root of the problem and deal with it there
If all else fails we recommend calling the pest experts to deal with your problem. They will be more efficient and quicker in removing the pests from your property and you can be assured that they know what they’re doing in terms of how many pests you have, how big the infestation is and how to treat them
Store bought pesticides options:
These store bought pesticides are a good option to use in and around your house, be sure to read all the instructions carefully when using these products. I recommend doing a spot test to see if you are allergic to any products before using it
Organic and natural pesticides:
If you want an answer to your pest problem that’s safe for humans, animals, children and the environment then some organic and natural store bought products are good to invest in. I recommend doing a spot test to see if you are allergic to any skin products before using it
For a full article on natural pesticides here is a link to some.
Homemade natural options as insecticides
If you plan on using homemade pesticides then make sure to do research as to which ingredients will help with which pests. These homemade options are sometimes even more effective than store bought pesticides.
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