When is a Pest Problem Too Big for DIY?

When is a Pest Problem Too Big for DIY?

There are many pest issues that can be solved with a do-it-yourself solution. It is exciting when you know that, because of your hard work, your home will remain pest free for at least a little while. But while pest control measures from the hardware store and homemade substances are interesting to research and use, there are definitely times when the pest problem requires calling in the big guns.

Carpenter Ants

If there is an ant infestation of any kind, contacting pest control is a good call. They are better trained and equipped to handle the seemingly endless hordes of ants parading through your home. But a more specific example of an ant to be especially careful of is the carpenter ant. Carpenter ants aren’t usually considered dangerous – they don’t spread illness or disease like many other bugs do – but they can cause serious problems for homeowners because they bore into the wood of houses. They can damage structural beams, cabinets, doors, or furniture by creating tunnels that weaken the surface to which they are attached. This is because carpenter ants generally look for moist wood with a high starch content. This pest issue requires pest control professionals who know how to find where the ants are nesting inside your house and treat it before more serious problems arise.

The best way to prevent an infestation is to keep your home as pest-free as possible and seal all areas where water and moisture might escape, like cracks in your foundation. It can be easy to leave small cracks alone, since they are harmless in themselves, but they can easily let in pests such as carpenter ants to slowly ruin your home. 

Termites

Similarly, it is not a good idea to prolong getting help when termites are in the innermost parts of your house. Since these pests make themselves at home within the internal structure of a home, they are very difficult to eliminate through DIY methods. Just like carpenter ants, termites are not usually considered dangerous. But they can cause some serious damage to your home by eating the wood that keeps it standing. Termites make their homes in moist, decaying wood and can do significant harm if there is enough of them chewing at once. 

Termite pest control treatments range from chemical treatments that poison the termites, to heat treatment that kills them with dry heat or steam, to pest control professionals who install high-tech devices designed for pest extermination. The type of treatment will depend on the number of termites involved and how much damage has already been done. 

What’s the Difference Between Carpenter Ants and Termites?

This is a relevant question at this point, since the damage done by both pests is very similar. They enjoy burrowing into wood, which is why they pose such a danger to a home’s wood frame. They are also both active in the spring, and termites are the same size as large carpenter ants. While a pest control professional will be able to come in and assess which insect it is, it may be helpful to know beforehand. 

Carpenter ants are easier to spot due to their dark coloring and visits to the open world for food. Termites, on the other hand, are very light colored and completely avoid light, which is why they are hardly ever noticed unless something or someone disturbs their nest. Another difference is how and why they burrow into wood. Carpenter ants simply plow to make their home in wood and push it out, causing piles of wood shavings to form below their nests. Their tunneling is quite smooth because of how carefully they dig their burrows. Termites actually eat the wood that they dig, and their homes are jagged due to various layers of soil. Both pests are equally dangerous to a home’s structure, but there is a difference in their behaviors and how they are treated by pest control. 

Rodents

Do-it-yourself pest control with pest extermination sprays and sticky traps sometimes work on rats and mice, but there are situations where it just doesn’t work as well as you’d like. One such situation is when rats start nesting in your house or under your house. Similar to the first two examples, any pest problem that requires going deep inside or under a home should be handled by a professional so that you don’t have to worry about ruining any structural elements. Rodents multiply very quickly, so while preventative measures can work before the problem arises, they will be less effective with larger rodent numbers. With all of the diseases and bacteria that rodents carry on their fur, paws, and in their droppings, it is best to stay cautious and call pest control. They are protected and equipped to handle any kind of rodent, and can even install preventative measures to prevent future rodents from coming in. 

This pest issue requires pest prevention technology and pest suppression methods, like exclusion work and effective traps, that professionals alone can provide.

Wasps and Hornets

These insects do have their differences, hence the different names, but their nests and the pain they inflict on humans is very similar. There can be a whole discussion focused on all of their differences and similarities, but for now, the differences to focus on is their behavior. Hornets are not aggressive if they’re left alone, but their sting is arguably more painful. Yellow jacket wasps are more likely to sting, and they are attracted to sugar and food. They both build their nests by chewing wood fibers and attaching them to a type of overhang, like on a garage or barn, or on a wood source, like a fence or tree branch. These pests are most aggressive around their nest, so it is best to never disturb a nest if you see one.

It is wise to call in pest control when the nest is in a problematic place, like in a backyard or against the house. A nosy pet or child could find themselves in a painful situation if they touch the nest. Pest control technicians have the proper equipment for protecting themselves against stings and bites, so they are the most likely to safely remove a wasp or hornet nest without getting hurt. 

Pointe is Here to Help

Some pest concerns can be resolved on your own. Anything involving a very small number of pests that have no interest in the wooden supports of a house may be okay to try solving yourself first. There are also a number of preventative measures you can take, such as repellent, traps, and glue boards, that can stop a pest problem before it begins.

If there is any question whether or not to call in the pros, it is good to at least make the call and see what they say. It’s better to get ahead of a potential problem or pay to have a minor pest problem resolved than for it to grow into a major problem that causes damage to your home. Contact our team today if you need help defending your home against pests. Nothing good can come out of having a house’s internal structure eaten by unwelcome pests, even if you were thinking of remodeling anyway. 

Citations

Beacham, B. (2021, October 25). What’s the difference? Hornet vs. wasp. Bob Vila. Available at https://www.bobvila.com/articles/hornet-vs-wasp/ (Accessed on February 21, 2022). 

Glover, E. & Pelchen, L. (2022, January 20). Is DIY pest control a good idea?. Forbes Home. Available at  https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/should-you-diy-pest-control/ (Accessed on February 21, 2022). 

Lupo, L.J. (2022, January 31). How to tell the difference between ants and termites. The Spruce. Available at https://www.thespruce.com/difference-between-ants-and-termites-2656329 (Accessed on February 21, 2022).