There are some home projects that can be handled by homeowners (painting the guest room) and others that are better left to the professionals (installing electrical wiring in the basement). The same is true for pest control. Visit https://www.benspest.biz/ for more information.
Ants
Ants are a common pest that can cause serious problems for homeowners. Their tiny size and persistence make them difficult to control, especially when they’re breeding and spreading throughout your property. If you’ve tried over-the-counter ant baits, sprays, and natural remedies without success, it’s time to call a professional for help.
Using a combination of targeted treatments and preventative measures, professional ant exterminators can get to the root of the problem. They can also provide long-term protection by developing a pest management plan that includes regular follow-up treatments and inspections.
In addition to providing effective treatment, pest control services are often less expensive than DIY solutions. Plus, they can save you from costly repairs caused by structural pests like carpenter ants, which tunnel through wood and weaken the structure over time.
Homeowners can spot ant infestations by seeing large numbers of ants indoors, finding ant trails in multiple areas, and noticing a musty or odorous smell. Often, these signs indicate that a ant colony is nearby. Ants are in search of food and water, so they can easily enter homes through cracks in walls and floors and under appliances. They’re also commonly found in pantries, kitchens, and bathrooms where they can be near sugar jars, honey containers, fruit bowls, and other food items.
A major factor in DIY ant removal failure is that it fails to address the colony and queen. Ants are social insects and will send out scouts to find food, so if over-the-counter ant traps or sprays kill only the scouts, the ant population will simply grow again. Professional ant exterminators will eliminate the entire colony and its nest to stop the infestation in its tracks.
Another reason to call in a professional is that certain ant species pose health risks, such as fire ants, which deliver painful stings, and sugar ants, which can contaminate food with bacteria. Professional ant exterminators are trained to identify these dangerous ants and take the proper precautions to protect you, your family, and your pets.
If you’ve seen a trail of ants running between your home and the outdoors, it’s a sign that a scout colony is nearby. Professional ant exterminators can help you close off entry points and treat the area with targeted ant control products to prevent future invasions.
Rodents
Rodents are one of the most challenging household pests to manage. These critters are highly adaptable and can survive with limited resources in even the most remote areas of your home. While traps and poison may kill some of them, they often fail to address the underlying problem. Moreover, recurrent infestations can be indicative of deeper issues that require professional intervention to resolve.
Whether it’s a rat gnawing on wires or mice droppings in the kitchen, rodents aren’t just a nuisance; they can also cause serious health and property damage. Rodents are known to spread a range of diseases and even contaminate food sources. They can also gnaw through drywall and other structural elements, causing costly repair bills. In addition, rodents breed rapidly, meaning that a single mouse or rat can multiply into a colony that’s difficult to control with store-bought solutions.
The first step in determining whether you need a rodent control service is to look for signs of infestation. Chew marks on food packaging, scurrying noises in the attic, or the presence of rodent droppings are all strong indicators that you need to take action. You should also pay close attention to the size of the rodent droppings, as this can help you determine the species involved in your infestation.
Once you’ve spotted the telltale signs of rodents in your living spaces, it’s important to act fast. Unlike some other common household pests, rodents reproduce rapidly, with each litter containing five to 15 babies. Additionally, rodents are skilled at climbing and hiding, making it easy to miss a large infestation until you spot damage or nesting materials.
In addition to removing the rats or mice from your home, a quality rodent control service will also seal entry points and prevent new ones from entering. This includes addressing gaps around pipes, vents, and windows, as well as the smallest crevices where rodents like to hide. Many services also include ongoing monitoring, preventing the return of these pesky critters. By using a comprehensive approach, professionals are better able to achieve long-term results and protect your family’s safety.
Bed Bugs
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it’s best to call a professional pest control company right away. However, there are some things you can do on your own to help mitigate the situation until the exterminators arrive. Start by examining your mattress seams, bed tufts, and adjacent furniture for signs of bugs. Look for stains, eggshells, and the musty smell that’s unique to bed bugs. If you find these, wash all bedding, linens, curtains, rugs, and clothes in hot water and dry on the highest heat setting. Scrub mattresses and bed frames with a stiff brush, vacuum every surface of the bedroom, including windowsills, molding, and closets, and carefully inspect any new or second-hand items you bring into the house.
It’s important to understand that while itchy bites are a sign of bed bug presence, the itching isn’t caused by the bugs themselves but rather the reaction your body has to their saliva. These opportunistic bloodsuckers are drawn to warmth and carbon dioxide, so they’re often found in hotels, apartment buildings, dorm rooms, shelters, trains, buses, and even cars. Bed bug bites can itch all year round, but they tend to be more prevalent during the rainy season.
Keeping your home clean, reducing clutter, and washing clothing regularly can reduce the size of an infestation and make it easier to spot early. You can also use non-toxic pest control methods such as biopesticides, which are plant-based and don’t contain harmful chemicals. These are effective when sprayed directly on infested areas, but they may take a week or more to take effect.
Insecticides may be necessary to eliminate serious infestations of bed bugs, but they’re only effective when applied by a licensed applicator. Over-the-counter total-release aerosol foggers have been shown to be ineffective against these pests, and they can be dangerous to humans and pets if misapplied or overused. Pest management professionals have access to a wide variety of registered products and the know-how to properly apply them. They can also identify and isolate infestations, which allows for a more targeted approach that’s less likely to cause collateral damage.
Termites
When it comes to termites, the most costly and destructive pests homeowners can face, DIY treatments are typically not effective. While store-bought sprays and bait stations can temporarily reduce visible activity, they do not reach the heart of the colony. Termites nest deep within walls and tunnels, far beyond the range of surface treatment options. Only a professional can use specialized tools to accurately identify the species, target specific areas of damage and provide comprehensive solutions that penetrate hidden colonies.
Because they subsist on cellulose, the main component of wood, termites silently undermine the integrity of structural components, including beams and wall supports, over time. While initial signs often appear minor, such as a blister on a wall or pinholes in wood, they can be an indication of a severe infestation. As the problem continues to grow, it can eventually lead to weakened support structures and collapsed floors or ceilings.
Unlike other types of pests, many termite-related damage repairs aren’t covered by standard home insurance policies. This is because termite damage is considered preventable by most insurers, who classify it as an issue that could have been avoided through routine maintenance and regular inspections.
As such, it’s important to get a termite inspection as soon as you suspect damage, even if it’s only small blisters or wood rot. It’s also a good idea to schedule regular annual inspections, especially if your property sits on a slab or has a crawl space.
A professional will conduct a thorough inspection of your property and determine if the damage is cosmetic or structural. This can be determined by observing evidence such as mud tubes on foundations or walls, piles of frass (termite droppings that look like sawdust) and warped doors or windows. If an inspection reveals severe structural damage, a professional may recommend extensive repairs.
In addition to restoring structural stability, professional pest control services include ongoing monitoring and barrier applications that prevent future infestations. Combined with proper home maintenance and timely repairs, these strategies provide long-term protection for your property investment.