DIY Pest Control
If you are into doing things yourself than this is for you. Some people just don't want to do things themselves or don't have the time. It's a busy world, but if you want to treat for pest on you own than I've got you covered.
First of all, most insects and other pests come from the outside. What we have to do is eliminate as many as we can on the outside first and than we will kill the ones on the inside.
A trip to the local hardware store is the first place to start. Most hardware stores will carry a wide array of insecticides for all different kinds of insects and other pests. You can ask for help but make sure they know what they are talking about.
No matter what they tell you in the hardware store, always read the label. The label is going to tell you exactly how to mix and what type of insects it will kill. The label also tells you whether to use the product inside or outside. Some insecticides are for use outside only. If it says outside only, than don't use it inside. That's why it is important to "read that label".
After you have picked your product than go home and "read that label" again. Mix it exactly how it says on the product label. You will need one of those pump up sprayers to mix the product.
After its all mixed properly, than you're ready to go. Pump up the sprayer and spray completely around the outside of your foundation. Spray up the foundation wall about a foot or so and out from the foundation about two feet.
Next go completely around your home again and spray around all windows and doors and all cracks and crevices. If you have a brick home, spray inside all weep holes. These are the small holes left in the brick every couple of feet or so in order for your home to breath. If you can reach them, spray around all eaves.
For ant mounds in your yard either soak the mound thoroughly with an insecticide or use one of those commercial baits. It hard to eliminate entirely any ant mounds in your yard but you can certainly cut down on them.
This basically concludes the outside treatment. That was easy, wasn't it. I would recommend doing this at least once a month, at least in the spring and summer months. You would be surprised at how much this can cut down your insect problem.
One word of caution on outside baits, especially rodent baits. Putting rodent baits on the outside is just asking for trouble. Remember, there are dogs and cats and other types of critters around that could get hold of this bait, not to mention small children. If you have to use rodent baits outside than make sure they are in a closed and sealed container only a rat or mouse can enter. You don't want to be responsible for a small child or killing your neighbors dog, do you.
Traps work pretty well for mice and rats. Mice are real curious creatures and will usually take the trap. Rats on the other hand are not that curious and if there is something new in their area, will normally stay away from it for a few days before trying it. Peanut butter is a very good bait to put on a mouse or rat trap. If you are using the poison type pellets for rodents in your attic beware, the rodent could die in your attic or inside a wall and stink your house down.
Now lets start on the inside. I would recommend not using any sprays on the inside. If you have to, than make sure it is labled for inside use.
The best way to treat the inside without spraying is by way of your electrical switch plates. Using boric acid or some sort of insecticidal dust and an applicator, take each plate cover off, that includes light switch plate covers and electrical outlet covers. Apply one puff of insecticidal dust or boric acid inside each wall void at each outlet. Do not apply it inside the electrical box itself. With a small screwdriver, punch a small hole at the bottom of the box so it doesn't show when the cover is replaced.
Believe it or not, lots of insects may be able to get inside your walls. Insects like roaches, crickets and spiders. This application will kill them before they can find their way out of the wall.
Now that's done. You might want to apply a small puff down each window track on every window in your home. Small insects such as spiders and ants can come through these areas.
If you live in a home with a crawl space underneath, this dust can also be used in the crawl space. The crawl space is where you might find the large roaches, sometimes called "water bugs".
Spiders hanging from light fixtures indicates that they could be in the attic. Some insecticidal dust in the attic is recommended. Make sure you wear some type of mask so not to inhale the dust. If your air conditioning system is located in the attic make sure you turn it off before treating the attic, at least until the dust settles. This is to prevent it from being sucked into the system and spreading throughout your home.
Now lets say you are having a problem with the small "german type" roaches in your home, especially in your kitchen. Combat puts out a roach gel bait. It comes in a tube or syringe. This is great stuff. Just apply it in your cabinets. Use tiny dots about the size of a bb and no larger than a pea. Do not try to use it like caulk. Apply these dots in the corners of your cabinets. Top cabinets and bottom cabinets. Pull out the top drawer and place some in the corners in the very back of your cabinets. If you have a very large infestation place these dots about 8 inches apart but no more than 12 inches. Read the label and it will tell you how to apply.
If carpenter ants are inside your home, leaving sawdust shavings, than you might have to drill a few holes somewhere in the location of the shavings. Look to see where you think they may be falling. Drill several holes, just large enough to apply some insecticidal dust inside the wall or window casing. Now wait and see if any ants run out.
If you only have a problem on the inside with an occasional pest, than you may want to keep a can of Raid or other insect spray. These work well for quick kill. Make sure you don't spray anything around the baits. This contaminates the baits and makes them ineffective.
Now your having a problem with those little weevils in your kitchen pantry. Most likely you picked these up at the grocery store. What you are most likely to find in your pantry are weevils, flour beetles and indian meal moths. Check dry dog food, flour, cereals, rice and other foods in this order. That's where you will usually find these little critters. The best way to rid yourself of these is to find where they are coming from and throw it away. Wrap it in a sealed plastic bag and get rid of it.
son you are unable to rid your home of any of these pests, calling a professional might be your only choice.
That concludes it. This should help you eliminate most of the pests in and around your home.
Now you are able to treat your own home and save money at the same time. Great!
Important Maintenance and Safety Tips
Keeping your home clean and uncluttered is the best thing you can do. Sanitation is the best defense.
The next best thing in keeping pests and cockroaches out of your home is Exclusion.
Here's a safety list:
- Always read and follow the label directions.
- Never spray around other people or pets.
- Always wear protective safety equipment.
- Never spray on a windy day.
- Never eat, drink or smoke when using a pesticide.
- Always wash your hands after using a pesticide.
Incidentally, if you smoke, always wash your hands before handling baits. It will contaminate the bait. You should be wearing gloves anyway.
Here's a tip checklist:
- Cover all of your trash tightly.
- Keep gutters clean.
- Rake all leaves and debris.
- Keep and trim all shrubs and trees away from touching your home.
- Always check boxes and furniture brought into your home.
- Always keep the gutters on your home clear and clean.
- Remove all trash, old wood piles and decaying matter from your property.
The author of this article has been in the pest control business for over 11 years and has cleaned many homes of rodents and insects pests. To find out more about insects and other pests and to receive a free pest identification guide please visit his website at www.infobreaks.com.