Eco-Friendly Pest Control Techniques
for Homeowners
by Russ Frank
Home pest control can, and in fact should, be done in an eco-friendly way. Gone are the days when you could grab a can of spray and chase pests around the kitchen squirting liquid toxicity with abandon. This is considered very bad form nowadays. If Greenpeace hears about it, well you don't want to be home when they show up.
Eco-friendly pest control is very different than the old days. It requires more than just point and spray. You have to use your brain. You don't have any problem with that, right? Here's how to start. Take a slow walk around your house. Look at everything carefully and pay attention to the details. Look for every crack or crevice, even if they're small. Mice can fit through very small holes and a termite can fit through a tiny crack.
Now that you've been around the house, you know where the problems are. Your mission is to caulk up every last opening. Yes, ever single one. Any opening you leave will be an invitation to one pest or another to set up housekeeping. Before you know it their kids, friends and relatives are visiting and you have a serious problem. You can prevent it, though. Caulk up every little opening.
For the openings that are bigger, use that expanding foam stuff from the big box stores. Repair or replace broken window screens. Replace weather stripping. If there are gaps under the doors, attach a door sweep. While you're at it look at the trees and shrubs close to the house. Trim them if they're touching the house or even close to the house. There's no need to leave any highways for the bugs to use.
Grab a cool liquid something and take a break. If you get that much done, you deserve a break. Remember though that caulk doesn't last forever. Mark your calendar to inspect the outside in 6 months. Repeat every six months.
The first time is the worst. From now on the inspection and caulk touch up is a breeze. If every homeowner followed this procedure, many pest control companies would feel like the Maytag repair man waiting for a problem to occur. But most homeowners won't go to the trouble. The professionals know this is the way to go. Some of the best pest control companies will actually follow this procedure, or require you to do it. This is very smart pest control. The best way to eliminate pests from your home is to simply not let them in to begin with. Remember, every 6 months.
Pests however, may have already been in the home when you sealed it up. Now is the time to clean the house thoroughly. The goal is to remove any food or shelter they may have. Once they get really hungry we'll serve up a nasty little snack. Get the vacuum out and get to work. If your machine has a hose and wand, get inside all cabinets, under the sofa and remember to get the cobwebs. You know where they are. Check the bathroom and kitchen for leaks and arrange for repairs if needed.
What was the last pest you saw or felt in your home? Roaches, fleas and ants are the most common. But it might have been a different pest. No matter what it was, look them up online or in a library. To eliminate them you'll need to know their lifecycle and their habits. Eco- friendly pest control uses something more powerful than pesticides - knowledge.
If you've gotten this far, then you understand the process needed to seal your house and keep pests out. It's a good beginning. But Eco-friendly pest control is a big topic and will take a number of articles to cover in any detail. Future articles are planned that include ancient forms of pest control, pest ID and modern methods of eco-friendly pest control.
Who ya gonna call? For pest control problems in Tampa", Florida Bug Inspectors are the experts. No matter what the pest, roaches, fleas, ants, termites or even bees, FBI has the answer. Florida Bug Inspectors has been solving pest control problems daily in Tampa for more than 25 years. Call the best - call Florida Bug Inspectors.
Professional pest control services offered in: Apollo Beach, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Drew Park, Egypt Lake, Forest Hills, Gibsonton, Land o' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, North Tampa, Plant City, Riverview, Ruskin, Seminole Heights, South Tampa, Sulphur Springs, Seffner, Tampa, Tampa Heights, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, Town and Country, USF area, Valrico, Wellswood, Wesley Chapel, Ybor City …and all areas in between.