Common Pest Myths

This page is a general article that discusses common myths associated with pests. Throughout this page you will find links to effective pest control and learn accurate information that will lessen the time for pest control and amount of products used.

Since pests are a nuisance to deal with, many homeowners are quick to implement action without learning more about the pest. As a result, this leads to pest myths that can increase an infestation within homes and properties while also spending unnecessarily on pesticides.

To get ahead on pest infestations then you will need to understand more about the infestation, conditions allowing it to thrive, and taking quick immediate action at the first sign of pest activity. To learn more information about appropriate pest control, then follow the links attached in this article, information provided below, and for futher discussions you can speak with a trained professional at one of our store locations or through email.

Myth: Clean Homes Do Not Have Pests

Pest infestations can plague the cleanest of homes. It may be harder to identify pests and activities in filthy homes, but rodents, animals, or insects do not discriminate based on an environment cleanliness.

Fact: Pests are searching for food, water, and shelter and as long as your home provides one of these conditions then they will invade. Typically, the fall and winter season sees more pest activity as the weather and amount of food sources decreases. It is best to pest proof your home throughout the year.

To pest proof your home you will need to seal any crack and crevice with copper mesh and caulk. The copper mesh will deter any chewing pest like rats or squirrels from invading your homes roof, attic, basement, and foundation.

Myth: Fleas Die Without Host

Homeowners with or without pets come across pests such as fleas in their yard and home. Even though fleas are designed to jump long distances this pest travels by attaching itself to passing people or animals to enter another location.

Fact: Fleas that do not have access to people or animals will perish from starvation within 4 days to 2 weeks. However, this pest can live in outdoor and indoor environments which makes it more likely for a host to come across this pests path. Another factor that makes fleas harder to be rid of is that their eggs cannot be eliminated by pesticides.

Due to these reasons, fleas are an on-going battle that can be maintained with the appropriate cleaning methods and insecticides. If you have pets treat them with Petcor Flea Spray then with Martins Prefurred, which must be selected based on whether you have a cat or dog. Clean the inside of your home by vacuuming and washing all fabric materials then applying Novacide from the back to the front of the house. Make sure to not treat pets bedding as this must be either washed or disposed off. Lastly, treat the yard with Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules and Supreme IT.

Myth: Bees Sting Only Once

Depending on the species of bees the amount of times they can sting you is unlimited. Pests such as wasps, hornets, and other species of bees can sting a person or animal until they feel you are no longer a threat or have left the vicinity of their nest.

Fact: Honey bees posses a barbed stinger, which hooks onto the skin of the host releasing painful venom. Once this pest stings you it will perish because when the stinger is released from its abdomen it also takes the honey bee's digestive tract, venom sac, muscles, and parts of its nerves.

Myth: Bed Bugs Live Indoors Only

Many people believe that bed bugs only live indoors within homes or apartments. This myth stems from the bed bugs name leading to its population increasing since homeowners may assume that this pest only lives in beds.

Fact: Bed bugs are attracted to any place that provides enough darkness and coverage. Typically, this pest will invade hard to reach areas such as cracks and crevices within picture frames, bed frames, electrical outlets, box springs, shelves, carpeting, curtains, furniture, ceiling fans, picture frames, and electronics. Although this pest is found indoors it can also survive outside in patio furniture, woodpiles, overgrown foliage, potted plants, car upholstery, objects in garden such as wooden frames, yard clutter such as unused equipment, and lawn debris. Bed bugs may also overwinter in the soil during the winter season.

To remove bed bugs in both indoor and outside environments, we recommend cleaning the inside and outside of the home by vacuuming, mowing, and raking. Make sure to dispose off all trash contents in a sealed outdoor trash can that is far away from the perimiter of home. Treat mattress with only Flex 10-10. Once this has been done you can then mix Flex 10-10 with Gentrol IGR. You may only spray the bed frame, box spring, furniture, closets, flooring and all along the baseboards of the room. Cracks and crevices in your home will need to be treated with Pyrid Aerosol. Voids in the wall and around electrical outlets will need to be sprayed with D-Fense Dust. Once the inside of the home has been treated you will then spray the outside of your home with Flex 10-10. 

Myth: One Treatment Solves Infestation

A lot of homeowners assume that products with a broad label means that insecticide applications do not need to be applied a second time. In reality, there will need need to be at least a second or third application to treat insect infestation.

For example, products such as Flex 10-10 will need to applied every 10 days for a total of 30 days to remove bed bug infestations. Even then, insecticide applications will need to be made with the appropriate additional steps such as cleaning or mowing to prevent a specific insect, rodent, or animal pest from invading again in the future.

Fact: Pest infestations require repeated treatments with the appropriate pesticides, as well as on-going yard and home maintenance. You will also need to pest proof your home by sealing cracks and crevices with copper mesh and caulk. Depending on the pest, you may need to repair leaks and moisture issues within or surrounding your home.

Key Takeaways

What Attracts Insects and Rodents to Your Home?

• Pests such as insects and rodents are attracted to homes due to the amount of food, moisture, and hiding places for it to survive in.

One application is Enough to Eliminate Insects

• A common misconception with most pesticide products is that one application is enough to eliminate insects in and outside of your home. Most insect control programs will need to be made with at least a second or sometimes third application.

Preventing Insect, Animal, and Rodent Infestations

• On-going yard and home maintainence by mowing, raking, adjusting watering to an inch or irrigation once a week, sealing cracks and crevices with copper mesh and caulk, and repairing larger voids will help to prevent pest infestations. You may need to secure outdoor food sources by fencing and leaving out humane traps.