Bakersfield Pest Control is a critical component of protecting your property and health. However, there are many myths and misconceptions about pest infestations that can lead to ineffective or even harmful methods of control.
From the myth that mice adore cheese to the belief that ants can only be repelled by grits, debunking these common pest control myths will help you make more informed prevention decisions.
![pest control](https://www.hayphotographers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pest-control-300x200.jpg)
Pests Only Infest Dirty Homes
We all think of pests like cockroaches, mice, and bed bugs as being a problem for dirty or unkempt homes. But it turns out that a clean home can be just as susceptible to infestation as a dirty one. Pests invade homes in search of food, water, and shelter. Cockroaches, for example, are scavengers that can easily find even the smallest of crumbs. Mice and rats are expert climbers and can scale walls, ceilings, and other inaccessible areas to get inside our homes. Bed bugs are hitchhikers that can be carried into your house on luggage, clothing, shoes, or packages.
Keeping your home and yard clean can help prevent pest infestations. This includes sweeping up food crumbs and spills as soon as they occur and mopping the floors before you go to sleep. It also means eliminating clutter that could provide hiding places for unwelcome intruders. A pile of leaves, a stack of books, and other items that aren’t properly stored can all provide ideal spots for uninvited visitors.
You can also protect your home by sealing any potential entryways for pests. This includes checking for cracks, gaps, and loose seals around the windows, doors, basement, crawlspace, roof, and vents. A gap the size of a quarter can be big enough for mice and rats to squeeze through. You can also check for leaky pipes and make sure all garbage cans are tightly closed.
Lastly, if you use mulch in your garden beds, consider switching to stones or other less pest-attractive ground covers. Pests love the moist, dark environment that mulch provides. In addition, a broken water pipe can create an ideal habitat for roaches, spiders, and other pests. It is important to take these measures because once pests have made their way into your home, they can become incredibly difficult to eradicate. And, as we all know, once pests start an infestation, they can spread quickly. Luckily, by following these simple tips, you can protect your home from unwanted pests all year round.
Pests Are Attracted To Cheese
Pest control is a vital step in creating and maintaining a safe and healthy living environment. However, many misconceptions and myths surround this topic. Having the right information can help you make better decisions about your pest control strategy. We’re debunking some of the most common myths about pests to empower you with facts that can lead to effective, long-term pest control solutions.
Many people believe that if they place some type of cheese in an entryway or around their home, pests will be repulsed by it. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Pests are attracted to all sorts of food, and cheese is no exception. Mice are often attracted to sweet foods like ice cream, cakes, and cookies. They also love starchy food sources like bread, potatoes, and pasta. They’re even attracted to grease.
Rodents and cockroaches are also drawn to these types of food sources. They’re attracted to the smells and textures of these foods, as well as the water that they contain. In addition, they’re attracted to places where these food sources may be hiding. That’s why it is important to always store food in sealed containers and to keep garbage cans and other storage areas tightly closed.
Another common belief is that if you put garlic in your kitchen, it will repel ants. This is likely a result of the fact that ants avoid garlic in the wild due to its odor. However, a clove of garlic is not likely to ward off a full-blown ant infestation. If you try to keep ants out of your kitchen by putting garlic in the entryway, you will probably just attract them even more.
Many people also believe that once a pest infestation is eliminated, it will never return. This is not necessarily true. Pests are known for their fast reproduction rates. Infestations that are left untreated can quickly become out of hand and require more extensive, expensive pest control treatments. That’s why it is so important to contact a professional pest control company to implement routine inspections and preventive measures.
Pests Only Live In High-Rise Homes
Pests, such as cockroaches, rodents, bedbugs, and flies, don’t discriminate based on cleanliness. They can live in a variety of environments and are often drawn to homes, businesses, or apartments in search of food, water, shelter, or other resources. Cockroaches and other pests can easily scale walls and ceilings in high-rise buildings, while flies are known to travel upwards using their wings, making it possible for them to reach skyscrapers.
The bathrooms of any home can provide ideal living conditions for pests, including ants and roaches. This is because these insects are drawn to humid, dark areas that offer the perfect environment for their survival. They are also incredibly resourceful and will use any available resources, including food left on counters or in sinks.
If a bathroom doesn’t have enough ventilation or it isn’t cleaned frequently, these pests may even travel into other rooms to find the nutrients and warmth they need. The same goes for any basement or crawl spaces that aren’t properly ventilated.
If you’re renting, it’s important to communicate with your landlord about any pest infestations that occur on the property. This will allow them to treat the problem as quickly and effectively as possible. It is also important to understand that pest infestations can affect the whole building, so don’t try to solve the problem alone if you suspect you have an infestation on your hands.
It’s also worth mentioning that pests don’t take a break when it comes to the seasons, so a lowered guard during off-peak times can lead to unwelcome guests showing up at unexpected times. It’s also worth mentioning that there is always the risk of being stung by bees or other stinging pests, so it’s important to watch where you walk and never touch anything that might have a bee nest in it.
By debunking these common myths about pest control, we can help people better protect their homes and businesses from unwanted invaders. These myths can also encourage people to be more proactive in their pest management, allowing them to prevent pests from infesting in the first place.
Pests Are Attracted To Pets
A pet adds a lot of love and companionship to life but also comes with certain challenges. Pets can be magnets for pests, which is why it’s important to manage these unwelcome guests with care and diligence. The good news is that most pest infestations are preventable with proper home maintenance and pest control tactics.
Many people assume that pests are attracted to dirty homes because of the food scraps, garbage and other contaminates they contain. However, the truth is that even the cleanest homes can attract pests if they offer the necessities of food, water, and shelter. In addition, cluttered areas provide plenty of hiding and breeding spots for pests.
Rodents, cockroaches, ants, fleas, ticks, and other pests are attracted to pets because they supply food and shelter. Fleas and ticks are especially attracted to pets because they feed on their blood, and they can then transfer these parasites to humans through grooming sessions or by leaping from one pet to another. Pests are also attracted to the food crumbs left behind by pets and their favorite hiding places like dog bowls, litter boxes, closets, and rugs.
In addition, the warmth and odor of pets attract pests because they can sense pheromones that specific species release when in contact with their prey. Mosquitoes, in particular, are attracted to dogs and cats because they sense the carbon dioxide they exhale as they suck up blood.
If you want to keep your pets safe, make sure their environment is as free of pest lures and traps as possible. For example, instead of using cheese as bait in mouse traps, use peanut butter or other foods high in sugar content to ensure mice and other rodents will not be tempted by the treat. Also, be careful not to let your pets eat rodent poisons designed for pests, which could sicken them. For more tips on keeping your pets and your home pest-free, contact our pest control experts. Our experienced technicians will help you debunk these common pest control myths and get rid of those pesky pests once and for all!