Methods of Pest Control

 

Methods of Pest Control

Pest Control is a multifaceted process that involves three different primary methods of pest abatement. Each method has been developed through hundreds of years of experience leading to the successful pest control industry today.  

Preventative

Prevention is key to pest control. It is the largest and most involved method of pest control. Pest prevention can even be divided into three subcategories: at-home prevention, preventative treatments, and responsive prevention.

At-Home Prevention – One of the most crucial steps to avoiding pests starts in the home with homeowners and residents taking steps to ensure that the home is void of conducive conditions for pests. Such steps include:

• Sealing any cracks or crevices leading into your home
• Securing and repairing any torn window or door screens
• Ensure there are no gaps under doors and install door sweeps if there is to seal off the entry point
• Inspect firewood before bringing it into your home and store firewood away from your home
• Use a dehumidifier in areas of high moisture (ie. basements, cellars, etc.)
• Trim bushes, trees, etc. back from the home so they cannot be used to access the home
• Clean up any birdseed on the ground from birdfeeders as this can attract pests
• Remove standing water around your home – make sure downspouts are properly draining and no debris is clogging nearby drains (this is especially important to prevent mosquitos)
• Vacuum and sweep regularly
• Remove smelly garbage from the home and store outdoor garbage cans away from the side of the house
• Tidy the home, reduce clutter, and make sure to clean areas that are less frequented to avoid pests from building nests (ie. spider webs, cockroach hideouts, etc.)

Preventative Treatments – In addition to eliminating conducive conditions, the next step to ensure you avoid pest invasions is preventative treatments. By teaming up with your local pest control company, you can get year-round pest prevention treatments that essentially form a barrier around your home, stopping pests from ever making their way inside. By employing preventative treatments along with at-home preventative steps, you will be extremely successful at keeping pests away and avoid nearly any infestation.

Responsive Prevention – This kind of prevention is essentially ‘preventative treatments,’ but it is done following an infestation in the home. The purpose of responsive prevention is to stop a pest problem from reoccurring – you can think of it as locking the door behind the pests after you kick them out. Unfortunately, a few pests, such as bed bugs, can still manage to find their way inside even if you nailed the preventative aspects of pest control. When this happens, or if you’ve had an infestation break out prior to being able to address preventative techniques, it is time to employ responsive treatments of pest control.  

Physical Treatments

Physical treatments are any services that are done in response to an ongoing pest problem that do not involve introducing chemicals or other treatment substances. Examples of physical treatments include:

• Exclusion Work – finding and sealing any entry points such as cracks, crevices, and even holes in the home, roof, foundation, etc. (this can sometimes also fall under the category of prevention depending on the situation)
• Hive/Colony Removal – knocking down and removing the nests of wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets, and relocating honeybee colonies
• Traps/Glue Boards – using bait to trap rodents in cages and insects on little glue boards
• Heat Treatments – heating up your home to eliminate bed bug infestations

Chemical Treatments

Chemical treatments can be implemented in response to pest problems or can be utilized as a preventative measure. These treatments can be sprays, granules, or dust depending on what is being treated. Many companies, ourselves included, exclusively use chemical treatments that are eco-friendly and safe for you, your family, and your pets.

Pest Control Methods Designed for You

At Pointe Pest Control, we will work directly with you to help develop a pest control plan that fits your unique pest problem and addresses all of your pest concerns. Following your inspection, your technician will treat your home and advise on any at-home measures of prevention that can be taken. In conjunction with one another, these three methods make up effective and efficient pest control.