General pest control services can be quite expensive. The level of infestation requiring treatment, the size of the service area, and the number of treatments on a regular schedule are some of the cost-determining factors.
Homeowners can reduce the cost of these services by choosing a preventive approach instead of reacting to an emergency. Proactive services include identifying points of entry and allurements that attract pests. Make sure to talk with Bakersfield Exterminator experts to learn more.
Pest Identification
Pest identification is the first step in developing an effective pest control program. Identifying the pest correctly helps to determine its life cycle and habits, what it eats, where it lives, how long it lives, and other key biological clues that will assist in controlling it without using harmful chemicals or posing risks to people and collections.
Pests enter buildings for three things – food, water, and shelter. Thoroughly inspecting your building and identifying pest “hot spots” is critical to closing these points of entry. In addition to the obvious entries such as doors and windows, check behind cabinets, in cracks or crevices, around pipes, vents, and ducts.
Identifying the type of pest will also help in developing an effective control strategy. For example, cockroaches are usually found in kitchens and bathrooms; however, they may be attracted to paper products such as books and magazines. A cockroach infestation can be controlled by sanitizing, while a booklice infestation may be corrected by dehumidifying the area and storing books and papers in sealed containers.
Some crawling or walking pests can produce venom or be poisonous and should only be handled by a licensed professional. Others, such as spiders and millipedes, can damage items, create unsafe conditions, and pose health risks to people. The control methods for these types of pests can be very different from one another, and a pest control specialist will know how to effectively address your issue.
Correctly identifying a pest can be difficult. Many pests look similar to each other, and their appearance can change throughout the life cycle. Several online resources can be used to assist in determining pests, but it is always best to consult with a trained expert before attempting eradication on your own.
Keeping pests out of a building is not only cost-effective, but it is also safer for staff and visitors and less damaging to your collections. Developing an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy that includes prevention and exclusion measures, and observing local, state, and federal regulations is the best way to control a pest problem and prevent it from recurring in the future.
Exclusion Methods
Rodents and other pests can wreak havoc with home and business properties, causing structural damage by chewing through materials. They can also spread diseases and contaminate food sources, posing a serious health hazard to people and animals. Taking proactive measures to stop pests from accessing structures by blocking entry points is the best way to prevent infestations. Exclusion methods include the use of physical barriers, like caulking and sealants, to close off cracks and gaps, as well as installing caps, screens, and woven hardware cloth to protect areas around chimneys, vents, and air conditioning.
The first step in pest exclusion is a thorough inspection of a property to identify and locate any potential entry points. Because rodents can fit through openings as small as a quarter inch, the goal is to seal up all potential entrances. This can be done using spray foam, silicone caulking, or sealant, as well as metal screens or duct tape for larger gaps and a variety of materials for soffits, ridge vents, and chimneys. For weep holes that allow water to flow from a building, it is best to use water-permeable materials like caulk, while for vents and chimneys, breathable fabric such as copper mesh works well.
While DIY exclusion is a viable option, pest control professionals have the experience and specialized tools to accurately identify potential entry points and implement long-term solutions. This is particularly important since different animals have unique access points that require different strategies to block. A professional will also be able to make sure that the exclusion strategy is tailored to the specific species of animal in question.
Pest exclusion methods not only keep pests out of buildings, but they also help reduce the amount of allergens that are spread indoors. This can improve the quality of indoor air and alleviate allergy symptoms for the occupants. This is one of the main benefits of exclusion services as opposed to reactive measures, such as chemical sprays and inhumane traps, which only deal with existing pest populations. Exclusion is part of a holistic approach to pest control that includes sanitation, population control, and monitoring to stop pests before they become infestations.
Traps and Baits
Both traps and bait stations can be effective in controlling rodent populations, but each has advantages and considerations to keep in mind when deciding on which method to use. Some of these include location, safety, and the scale of the problem.
Traps are three-dimensional wire or wood devices that allow organisms to enter but make escape difficult or impossible. A trap may contain bait, a trigger mechanism, and a catch box or tray to hold the caught organisms. The trap may also be tethered or otherwise secured to prevent it from being moved, discarded, or used by non-target animals.
Rat traps can be placed inside and outside structures. They can be baited with a variety of foods, including meats, fruits, and vegetables. They should be placed along areas that rats frequent, such as adjacent walls or in dark corners. Other bait options are more toxic, such as anticoagulant baits that kill the rats by blood clotting internally. These baits are more effective at controlling larger rat populations but may pose health hazards to children and pets.
Snap traps and tethered live capture traps (such as cage traps) require that they be checked frequently to ensure they are working properly and to remove any dead animals. This can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, especially for large traplines on rural properties with limited access or in areas with high predator densities (unless using self-resetting traps).
Baits are often safer than traps because they do not use poisons but instead rely on food lures that attract the pests into a location where they can be killed by contact or ingestion of the bait. However, the lures must be carefully selected to match the target pest’s diet and forage habits. Some specialized baits, such as those for flour beetles or sawtoothed grain beetles, need to be augmented with pheromones to be effective.
Both traps and baits can be a good option for the control of stored-product pests, but the most suitable trapping approach will depend on the target species, site-specific conditions, available resources, skill level, and other factors. For example, some organic properties will not want to use toxins; some people may be uncomfortable handling carcasses; and bait stations can be challenging to manage over large areas.