The first thing homeowners should do while controlling pests is identifying the pests currently investing their homes. They can hire specialists or contact pesticide dealers to visit their homes for identification. A homeowner can control pests in their house by following the instructions on pesticide containers and applying them accordingly.

Additionally, homeowners should keep their houses clean and well-kempt since it helps prevent and control pests. Homeowners should also eradicate the pests outside the home before they enter the house. They should control the pests in the house through spray application, dusting baiting, or applying pesticides on areas they frequent.

However, homeowners may contract pest control services in case of severe infestation. Professionals use high-quality pesticides and equipment, which homeowners may not have, to eliminate pests. Also, the internet provides information about all pests.

Types of Pest Control Traps

There are pest traps to capture and eliminate almost all household pests. Homeowners can choose different traps for pests that invade their space. There are traps meant for outdoor pests and others for indoor pests. Homeowners can use either the fatal or humane traps to catch rodents. They can use a spring-loaded trap that ends the rodent or an electronic pest control trap that electrocutes the mouse. There are also catch and release traps that are available. 

A glue trap sticks the pest on the surface so it can’t escape. Homeowners may also use multiple-catch mouse traps, which catch almost 30 rodents at once.

Additionally, sticky traps, chemical traps, and visual traps are best for catching insects. Chemical pest control traps contain a chemical that attracts insect males. Visual traps use light to attract insects. They can be boxes that don’t allow insects to get out once they get in.

Some visual traps have sticky traps placed next to a light. The insects get lured by the light, which makes them stick to the sticky trap. The two common sticky traps are flypaper and glue traps.

Pest Control Prevention

The best way for homeowners to protect their households from pests is by incorporating proper prevention techniques in their homes. Even though cleaning helps prevent pests, some practices can prevent pests. Here are the basic pest prevention techniques that homeowners should employ:

• Remove all sources of water, food, and shelter that may attract the pests
• Store food in lockable containers
• Regular garbage disposal using tightly closed bags
• Clear the areas where pests can hide
• Close and seal all holes and cracks to remove any possibility of pests getting into the house
• Routinely clean and survey the house from the roof to the ground floor
• Apply household insect repellents immediately after spotting a single pest before they multiply
• If homeowners notice outdoor pests, they should apply animal & pet repellents to prevent them from entering the house

Common Pests to Look Out For

Different homes and areas have different pests. Some of the most common pests that people should keep an eye out for include:

• Ants - Most people consider ants as irritating but harmless. Mostly, they like staying in kitchens, bathrooms, and near food items and water sources. Large ant populations can damage homes. Also, the availability of ants shows that other pests can enter the home. They are the first pest type homeowners notice before others infest the home.
• Cockroaches - Cockroaches are similar to rodents because homeowners can detect them through their droppings. However, homeowners mostly notice cockroach infestation when they switch the lights on as they run to hide in dark spots.
• Bed Bugs - Bed bugs are hard to notice. Unlike other pests, bed bugs do not invade a home through cracks but cling to luggage and clothes after traveling. Once they get onto a home, they spread fast and are challenging to eradicate.
• Rodents - Homeowners can quickly tell of the availability of rodents in their houses through their droppings. They can also identify the possibility of rodents by nibbling on food and oil marks on the walls and other surfaces.

Pest control involves the identification of available pests and choosing appropriate management techniques. Different types of pests may invade a home, and homeowners must understand how to identify and eliminate them. If they cannot identify the pests, homeowners can involve experts who will work for them and provide advice and solutions about the proper control and prevention procedures.