Picture this: It’s 3am and you need a glass of water, you go to the kitchen and just as the light turns on: Ants.
While they're tiny and there aren’t very many, they’re scattered across the floor. Worse enough, from the corner of your eye you see the roach in the kitchen sink returned!
He’s showed up so many times, you’ve named him Jerry.
You get your water and run back to your room when you realize you hear the second set of footsteps coming from the attic–not rats too! The horror!
While this may not be your exact pest issue, whatever it is, we know it can be stressful. You might’ve tried so many things, or you could just be so overwhelmed you don't know what to do.
You’re willing to try anything, but you’re not ready to give it to professional pest control quite yet.
Well, my friend, this article is for you! We’re gonna go over the ABC’s of DIY pest control in West Palm Beach.
A– Airtight containers
Seal up all food in airtight containers, or anything left out in the open will be fair game to pests. P.S: Cockroaches can get into your fridge, so make sure everything is sealed up well in there.
B– Bait ants and cockroaches
Know how to use bait, and what kind to use for the pest you’re trying to get rid of.
C– Clean to get rid of all pests
Cleaning is arguably the most important way to keep pests away in West Palm Beach. The best ways to clean to get rid of cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, ants and more is to clean off surfaces, wash dirty dishes asap.
D– Declutter to prevent silverfish
Silverfish are attracted to polysaccharides, which is in materials like book glue, newspaper, furniture, and most household items.
E– Eco-friendly and pet friendly products are helpful to keep in mind
Pest control may not seem like the most natural process, but there are natural products that can do just the job! For example, boric acid and diatomaceous earth are naturally occurring products that can be great for ant control and cockroach control.
F– Find the source of the pests
One of the most important parts of pest control is finding the source of your pest issue. Sometimes this may be a leak in the drain attracting German cockroaches, or sometimes it’s the standing water in your yard bringing in mosquitoes.
G– German cockroaches are good to inform yourself about
German roaches are a bit different from the cockroaches you may be familiar with. These are small roaches that prefer indoors and can reproduce very quickly.
If you think you might have German roaches in your home, even if it’s just one, the best thing to do is to call a pest control company to address the situation.
H– Hiding spots
Every pest has a hiding spot, just like every person has a place they go to decompress. Knowing these hiding spots can be a good asset to targeting your pest infestation.
For example, carpenter ants eat wood, so you’ll find them hollowing out doors, furniture, etc. Look for specific wood damage to find their favorite hideouts.
I– Inspections are more important than you think
If you’ve never thought about getting your home inspected for pests, it may be a good time. Even if you’ve never found pests in your home, it may be your first step toward prevention.
During a termite or rodent inspection, your inspector will look for the most common evidence of pests such as possible entry points or leaks that can attract pests.
J– Judge the situation
When you come up with a pest control plan, understand the difference between a pest infestation and a severe pest infestation. For example, if your entire bathroom floor is covered in ants, we recommend you get in touch with Native Pest Management.
We also recommend professional pest control if you find evidence of termites. Unfortunately, termites need professional intervention to be eliminated from your home.
K– Knowledge is power when it comes to pests
Getting a good understanding of the pests you want to get rid of can be exactly what you need to get rid of the pests in your home. Read more on our website to learn all about the most common pests in Florida!
L– Limit standing water
Standing water is the number one thing that attracts mosquitoes, next to humidity. Some of the most common sources for standing water are potted plants, toys, and bird baths.
Removing these objects from your yard can eliminate this standing water, and significantly reduce the mosquito population.
M– Minimize moisture
Pests like cockroaches, ants, and termites are attracted to water. This can be anything from condensation to leaks.
Some ways to limit moisture are to repair leaks, ventilate using a dehumidifier, and turn on bathroom fans while showering.
N– Neighbors can be a resource
Are you dealing with a severe ant infestation? Ask your neighbors if they’ve noticed a similar issue. Invasive ants like big headed ants sometimes colonize across multiple homes.
O– Essential oils can be good resources (but not always)
Placing essential oils around your home can help repel pests, but this isn’t always what you want to do. If you already have an infestation in your home, repelling them can backfire.
For example, repelling ants can trigger budding, a process where ants split into multiple new colonies with new queens.
P– Fix plumbing
We often find that pest control problems begin with plumbing issues, and especially if you live in a clean house and don’t understand where they’re coming from. Leaky pipes and clogged drains and gutters can be the root of your infestation. Q– Always ask Questions
If you ever have a question about a pest issue you can always give us a call! If you need a specific pest identified you can text a photo to us and we’ll help you out!
R– Repair damage from termites and carpenter ants
Termites and carpenter ants are two different pests that have this one major thing in common: Their love for damaging wood.
While carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood like termites do, they both build their nests in it.
With this in mind, repairing damaged wood is a good way to prevent these pests from returning to their shelter in your home.
S– Know the seasons
Different pests are more active during different times of the year. For example, rodents are in more homes in the winter, while mosquitoes can’t get enough of humans during the summer.
Understanding the seasonal calendar of pests can help you develop your perfect DIY pest strategy–lawn pests like whiteflies are actually repelled by certain plants, so knowing when they’re most active (spring and summer) can be a good reminder to put them back in your garden if you like to change out your landscaping regularly.
T– Traps can be your best friend
And they’re easy to purchase from the store! Sticky traps are a great way to catch pests like silverfish, cockroaches, ants, spiders, and other crawling insects.
U– Understand the risk of termites
Termites are a costly pest- both to your wallet and your home. Knowing the common signs of termites and when to call an exterminator can save you a lot of time and money.
V– You can Vacuum pests
For larger infestations, pests like German cockroaches can be easily swept up by a vacuum. This may seem crazy but just know this method is Native Pest Management approved!
W– Walls are where they feel most comfy
If you’re looking for all the ants, they may be in the wall voids. You can put baits and traps, and use insecticide spray in these spots to target these ants.
X– Know the Exits (entry points)
You can clean and clean and repair leaks and the ants are still getting in your home, what do you do now?
There’s a good chance they’re just finding their way in through an opening in your home.
Some pests share entry points, some have unique ones. Did you know that insects and spiders can fit through 1 1/16 inch gaps, and rodents can fit through ¼ to ½ inch gaps?
Pests like rodents are sneakier than you think, so sealing entry points is the time to be petty. Go around the exterior of your home with caulk and seal every crack and crevice you can find.
Y– Get rid of Yard debris
Ghost ants and wood loving pests like termites love the debris in your yard like branches and piles of leaves. Regularly clear your yard to prevent your home from being on their wishlist.
Z– Catch the Z’s with professional pest control in West Palm Beach!
If your pest issue is making it difficult for you to sleep, just know that there are options out there for you to help you rest.
We totally understand if you’re not quite ready to spend the money or give up on your efforts quite yet, but one of the best things you can get out of professional pest control is your peace of mind.
If you’re dealing with a pest issue and you live in Broward, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Indian River, Miami Dade, Martin, or Leon counties, our expert technicians at Native Pest Management can service your home for ants, termites, cockroaches, spiders, whiteflies and more!
Pest control is stressful, and Native Pest Management is here to make your life easier. Call us today so we can make your home pest free!
