DIY pest removal can be complicated, so listed here are the do’s and don’ts of pest control. Bugs and insects play an important role in nature. Just like everything else they are an integral part of the natural order of things. But what they are definitely not a part of, is your home.

The last thing you want to see are bugs invading your private space, eating away at your personal things, and destroying your peace of mind. If you are seeing bugs and insects in your home, this is why you must take matters into your own hands and take some serious action against them.

With every bug sighting, it’s very important that you act quickly because insects produce their offspring in hundreds. That’s right, they multiply so fast that you might see just one bug today, a few weeks or a month later you could have an entire infestation of hundreds on your hand.

But there is a solution to every problem, including nasty bugs at home.

In this guide, we will help you to not only get rid of insects in the right and permanent way.  We will also tell you the do’s and don’ts of pest control and show you ways in which you can prevent pests from ever invading your home again. But first, take a look at the diseases caused by insects.

Diseases Caused by Insects

We can’t stress enough how important pest control for insects is if you want to keep your home pest-free.  Insects carry with them diseases that can be deadly to humans and other animals. The worst part is that these diseases spread so fast that before you know it, you are so severely affected that it takes a long time to recover.

Here are some diseases caused by insects:

Malaria

One of the most common types of diseases out there that people get is malaria. This is caused by mosquitoes and it affects more than 250 million people all over the world. It might seem like a developing country disease, but did you know that it causes around 2 million deaths annually just in the States alone?

Arboviruses

If you think that malaria is the only thing mosquitoes can unleash on people, then think again. Numerous other types of viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes as well such as Dengue or Yellow fever. In total, there are 28 different types of viruses that mosquitoes can transmit.

Plague

Fleas are the poster insects for the common plague known as ‘Black Death’. This disease is known to have killed 30% of Europe’s total population in the 14th century and still continues to take the lives of people if they don’t take the necessary precautions. This plague is caused in three ways and one of them is through fleas present in wild animals that come into contact with humans and transmit it to them. This is why pest management for bugs is extremely necessary, especially fleas. If you have pets at home, then be on the lookout for fleas.

Enteric Diseases

These are bacterial diseases caused by house flies through their feces. Since their feces are so tiny, it is really hard to spot them and once they contaminate your food, there is a 100% chance you will fall sick. These diseases include cholera, typhoid fever, Shigella, and Escherichia coli. They cause infections in the intestines and urogenital area and can have a severe impact on health. This is why you must take action by engaging in pest control for insects as soon as you can.

Why Should You Opt For DIY Pest Control?

If you are excited about getting rid of bugs in your home, you can start with a DIY pest control option. This is not to say that you will never have to hire a pest control firm as there are situations that will require professional help. But for those brave souls that are not intimidated by termites, afraid of flies or get their heart’s racing at the sight of cockroaches, there are some options out there that you can take.

Here are a few reasons why you should put your gloves on and spring into action and save the day by killing those pesky bugs at home yourself:

It’s Easy

The do’s and don’ts of pest control usually involve hiring a professional to do the job for you, but why rely on someone else when you can easily do it on your own? Pest control for insects can be quite daunting, but if you have the right tools and know-how, getting rid of bugs at home can be as easy as pie.

Why do you think there are so many DIY pest control products out there? They are there for fearless and smart people like you who can handle these little pests. These products are made with you in mind. They are easy for people with no experience to kill insects. They come with a set of easy-to-follow instructions. Follow the instructions as specified and you will have no problems getting rid of any insect infestation at home.

Saves Money

Are you really going to call a pest control company and spend hundreds of dollars just to get rid of a cockroach or two? Sure, it is understandable to call one if your house is infested with roaches. But if there is only one or two crawling about, you can easily kill them yourself and save your money.  Some pest management companies will cost you an arm and a leg, for providing a basic service like spraying. Spraying is something that you can simply do yourself. Do it yourself pest control will cost you a fraction of the amount you’d have to pay a professional. To get the job done all you really need are some insect-specific killing sprays or gels, gloves, and mask.

DIY Works

You might not work for a pest management company, but if you do it yourself, in no time you will surely be someone who is not afraid of creepy crawlies. You’ll quickly learn what works, what doesn’t work and will know what type of solution is best for the particular bug you want to get rid of.

Saves Time

You have to schedule an appointment for pest removal services. Usually, they take at least a day or two to come, and you really don’t have that kind of time as you can’t wait for these insects to go away. Even if the company sends help immediately, it is still not as fast as you making a quick run or driving to a store. You can buy DIY pest control products yourself and take care of the problem promptly.

So now that you know how easy and important it is to get rid of insects at home, here are some do’s and don’ts of pest control:

Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control

Do Identify the Pest Before Deciding on Treatments

It is always important to know what type of pest you are dealing with when it comes to eliminating it. Every bug has its own way of attacking the area.

Do Find out the Pest’s Main Hiding Place

Bugs can spread to different parts of the house, but there is always the main area they always go to, especially if there is an ant or termite colony. This is because these insects have a hierarchal system where the slave work and provide food for the queen. Just follow their trail and destroy their homes. Once you kill the nest, 99% of the ants or termites will be over.

Do Maintain Impeccable Hygiene Around The House

Make it a habit to clean your home every day, especially the kitchen and bathrooms.  Ants, cockroaches,  flies, and other insects are attracted to food. Insects will consume raw, cooked and rotten foods. Take care of all spilled food immediately by an instant cleanup.

Do Declutter Your Home

Another important DIY pest control tip is to get rid of any clutter present in your home. The more things you have scattered about, the harder it is going to be for you to find bugs at home because they will easily hide underneath the things and keep on multiplying.

Do Know When It’s Time to Call a Professional

As cool as it is to engage in pest control for insects yourself, it is also important to know when to call a professional to get rid of all the bugs at home. Sometimes, matters get out of hand and you may not be prepared to tackle the situation all by yourself. In cases like this, you should not hesitate to call a professional exterminator or pest control company for help.

Do Store Food Properly

Tightly seal all the food jars, boxes and containers that can attract any ants or cockroaches. Put all your fruit in the fridge so that no flies can sit on them. In case you have a bowl of fruit on the table, make sure it is always covered with a plate. If there is any food that is expired, place it in a sealable plastic bag and then throw it in the trash bin. This is to ensure that there is no odor from the food that lures the bugs in.

Do Seal All Entry Points for Insects

Keep your doors and windows stay shut most of the time so that no flies or mosquitoes can come in uninvited. If you need some fresh air you can open a door, window, or two so long as they are covered by screening.

Do Keep Household Remedies at Hand

If you don’t want to use pest control products that are made out of harmful materials and want to go the non-toxic route, then make sure you have these things ready:

• Vinegar—kills most insects. Just mix 1 cup vinegar (white or apple cider) with 3 cups water and mix it in a spray bottle. Spray it on plants, countertops and other areas where you may see bugs.
• Boric acid—one of the best non-toxic solutions for DIY pest control is using this magical powder. It is not harmful to humans, but it kills most bugs at home Just sprinkle it around all the areas where the bugs are, and they will die in no time.
• Diatomaceous earth—this is another powder that should be used in pest control for bugs. It looks and feels like talc powder, but is made out of fossilized plankton. As soon as it comes into contact with any insect, their bodies start to disintegrate.

Don’t Have Kids or Pets Around When You Use Insecticide

Pest management for insects requires a good high-quality insecticide made for that particular bug. But it is also important for you to ensure that there aren’t any kids or pets around when you have any of these bug-killing things around. Their curiosity can be dangerous, and you don’t want them coming in contact with these things. Make sure to keep all these things in a separate cabinet or drawer that is locked or away from their reach.

Don’t Forget to Wear Protective Gear

When working with some DIY pest control tools and solutions you will need to take extra precaution while handling insecticides and pesticides. Make sure to cover your face with a mask so that you don’t inhale any insecticide.

1. Wear thick gloves if you are trying to remove dead insects and trying to get rid of them.
2. Wear a hat or headgear that would cover your ears.
3. Cover your body entirely, in case you are dealing with mites, ticks, fleas or bees. This is to ensure that you don’t get stung.

Don’t Forget to Take Out the Trash

Your trash can is a hotspot for all bugs and creepy crawlies. Discarded trash is one of the major attractants for many types of insects and bugs.  Worms, flies, cockroaches, and ants will flock to an upkeep trash can. When throwing out food items and waste be sure to tightly seal the trash bag and close the trash can properly.

Don’t Let Any Moisture Remain

Wet areas are perfect breeding grounds for insects such as centipedes, earwigs, cockroaches, silverfish, etc. Make sure there isn’t any dampness or leakage around your home. Pay special attention to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, garages, and attics because they get damp. Keep these areas as dry as possible. To control moisture, you can open a window during the summer or use a dehumidifier.

Don’t Forget to Spray Insecticide in the Garden

Often, insects wiggle their way inside your home if they are already present in your garden or backyard. Another DIY pest management strategy is to spray pesticide or insecticide regularly in the garden. This will keep insects from destroying your plants. Insects will be unable to find a place for themselves outside and not able to form a colony.

Don’t Use Pesticide without Reading Their Labels

Read all the instructions and warnings on the label of every pesticide you buy. This is especially essential if you are doing it for the first time or using a new or different type of brand or solution.

You can do away with all the bugs in your house in no time. Just comply with these easy pointers and the do’s and don’ts of pest control.

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