In 2017, researchers from North Carolina State University identified more than 500 different types of pests and insects in U.S. homes. The National Pest Control Association reported that termites and other insects cause more than $5 billion in damage to homes nationwide annually.
According to experts , pests can cause health problems, "including allergies, asthma, respiratory illnesses, and mental health issues," making it important to deal with them quickly and prevent them from entering your home to protect the health of its occupants.
Although prevention is the first thing to consider to avoid such a problem, and there are many complaints about pest and household insect invasions during the spring and summer seasons, we find that many people do not bother to combat them until they wake up to find some of them biting their bed, or hear the sound of a mouse gnawing in the kitchen hallways.
To maintain a pest-free home, people often don't act proactively, but rather react. However, the most effective ways to deal with an insect infestation "start long before they even get inside, by knowing what's around and which species are likely to be active during certain times of the year, and then taking precautions to prevent them from entering," Matt Fry , an entomologist and pest control expert at Cornell University in New York, told Today.
Common Mistakes in Dealing with Household Insects
While keeping a clean and tidy home is "one of the best pest prevention strategies," experts say , there are five common pest control mistakes that actually do the opposite:
Neglecting regular inspection
To be proactive in pest control , “conduct regular interior and exterior inspections of your home to check for cracks or holes, and pay close attention to the foundation, siding, roof, utilities, and vents, and seal any openings when discovered.”
“Look for insects that may be entering your home, by identifying defects and cavities, and monitoring for signs that indicate their presence, so that you can address the problem and prevent any pests from entering,” says Matthew Mills , a pest expert.
Fry also advises not to neglect regular inspections, whenever temperatures rise or the weather warms, and to inspect the perimeter of the home at least once a year. Look for any nests of stinging insects, traces of droppings, or signs of gnawing, indicating the presence of ants, rodents, spiders, or the like, and ensure they are completely eliminated before they make their way inside.
The best thing you can do is to prevent pests before they arrive, and then treat infestations immediately before serious health or even structural damage to your home occurs.
Accumulation of waste outside the home
It is very important to keep areas around the house, in hallways and on roofs, free of trash, debris and standing water, and to " make sure to repair any leaking pipes or appliances to prevent standing water, which can attract many different types of pests, and to eliminate any accumulated harmful waste."
To prevent your property from becoming a breeding ground for pests, insects, and mosquitoes, Fry recommends trimming plants, pruning trees, and mowing the lawn, as well as avoiding piles of wood and debris, which can attract mice.
Reliance on spray pesticides
Fry considers spraying insecticides a "waste of money" because they only spread their active ingredients on surfaces, while the organisms they target are hidden in cracks, crevices, and crevices. "So you might kill some ants looking for food, but there are hundreds or thousands left inside that won't be affected."
Also, in addition to the safety precautions required by spray pesticides , they often rely on pyrethrins, derived from chrysanthemum flowers, which are effective against flying insects like houseflies, but rarely penetrate cracks to kill indoor pests, spiders, and other crawling insects.
"It may even exacerbate the problem, as insects disperse and move deeper into other, more inaccessible areas," according to the scientists , who recommend pesticides that are "applied directly to areas where these pests are likely to hide, such as under beds, behind furniture, and in other hidden places that are difficult to reach with spraying."
Taking into account the use of the least possible amount of pesticides, "as all pesticides are toxic and can cause harm if used incorrectly."
long-term food storage
According to experts , "Pests have superpowers for tracking down food sources, and this is one of the main reasons for their persistence. Ants, for example, have nearly five times more scent receptors than other insects."
So, instead of storing food in the kitchen for months, Fry recommends storing it in tightly sealed containers to keep pests out.
Because insects can enter your home through dried foods and pet food, experts recommend checking them for signs of pests, and warn that small holes in food packaging may be an indicator of pest presence.
Allow moisture to circulate
Allowing humidity levels to rise indoors can entice some types of insects to enter, so Fry recommends "keeping indoor humidity levels below 50%," and even lower during the summer.
"The lower the humidity, the better," he says. "Running a dehumidifier is a good way to do this," he adds, as it helps create a healthy environment free of mold and dust, which attract cockroaches and spiders.
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