We get it. With so many pest control options on the shelves of hardware, home improvement, drug stores, and even grocery stores, why pay a professional? And, it’s true, there are cases when DIY gets rid of the problem with little hassle. At Northwest Pest Control, ensuring you safely and securely handle your unwanted pests is our goal and we’re always happy to chat with you about how to chase away the mice and bugs without having to have our experts show up at your door. We just offer a few words of caution.
- No two houses with pests are the same. Your neighbors may have successfully treated their mouse problem with a series of traps, but you may not be so lucky. How the mice accessed your home, where they chose to nest, how many mice there are, and many other factors can differ between houses, meaning the treatment that worked next door may not fit your circumstances. Do some investigating to determine exactly how big a pest infestation you have, and how these pests came to reside in your home.
- If it seems that everything you can buy now comes in organic, natural, and chemical-free forms, you’ll be happy to know that holds for pesticides too. Using natural pesticides and insecticides can be an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic and more toxic chemicals, but it’s essential to exercise caution to ensure their safe and effective use. As for natural insecticides specifically, they are generally repellents that work to keep pests out, but if the creepy crawlies are already inside, the repellent will actually create a barrier that will dissuade them from leaving. For example, an ant can sense repellent and won’t cross over it. Even worse, putting down repellent can cause the ants that are already inside to “bud” meaning they feel their main nest may be in danger so they create new nests to preserve the colony. That pest repellent could turn a few pesky ants into a full-blown infestation.
- At Northwest Pest Control, we live by the phrase, “the label is the law.” For us, that means we strictly adhere to all the instructions on any pesticides and insecticides that we use. Not following the instructions is at best careless and at worst can cause severe harm to people and property. No matter what treatment you choose to use, read the label carefully! Practice proper storage, wear protective gear, and avoid contact with the skin and eyes. Even natural solutions, which typically involve botanical oils, may seem safe but can burn the skin so be careful when mixing and using such products.
- More treatment is not better! We can’t emphasize this enough. Use pesticides only where needed. Over-application can harm non-target species and beneficial insects like pollinators or predators that help control other pests. If the label says to apply at specific times of day or under certain weather conditions, do as it says. Once a product has been used, monitor the effects. Look closely at the areas that have been treated for signs of effectiveness and for signs of adverse effects. If the plants around your house suddenly droop or turn brown, if the paint on the walls changes color, or if floors lose their luster, consider that the pest treatment you’ve chosen may be doing more harm than good. Adjust your application strategy if needed.
- Finally, don’t handle hazardous pests. Wasps nests, venomous spiders, and suspected rabid animals should not be approached by anyone but a trained professional. We have the skills and equipment, or at least the appropriate contacts, to have anything dangerous safely removed. Unsure what’s lurking? Give a professional a call and be ready with a good description or snapped photo.
Call us for advice. If we think you can handle your pest problem without our interference, we will tell you. That’s just who Northwest Pest Control is. We’ve built our reputation through years of treating our customers as one of the family, and in this family, we don’t charge for a service you really don’t need.