There isn’t anything worse than having your house infested with pests of any type. They can affect your health and cause damage to your home.
Pest control helps control a problem before it starts. With regular maintenance, you can drastically reduce the number of pests you find around your house.
While you are deciding whether you need routine pest control or not, there are several factors to consider. From price to whether you can handle the situation yourself, we have all the information you need to know.
Why is Pest Control Needed?
A pest control company is looking for a long-term solution, not just getting rid of your current problem. There is a chance you may not know exactly what pest is lurking in your home. An experienced pest control company can help correctly identify the pest or pests to ensure proper treatment and removal.
Pest Control companies have several different tactics to protect your home against pests.
- Exterminate existing pests
- Physically removing the pests
- Preventing future issues
The majority of the work pest control technicians performs is to prevent future problems.
Is Pest Control Worth the Price?
Understanding the reasons why you should use pest control, will likely help you understand how out of control an infestation can be.
Prevent Damage to your Home and Belongings
There are certain types of pests, like termites, that can do major damage to your home. In addition, rodents have the capability to chew through walls.
You likely will spend much more money on home repair than you would have if you would have hired a pest control company, to begin with.
You Want to Avoid the Possible Health Dangers
Certain types of pests are just that, pests, but others can carry parasites and diseases. It’s a major health hazard to let an infestation continue without the use of pest control.
Keep Pests out of Your Food
Pretty much any type of pest will gladly share the food in your pantry. Any crumbs that are dropped on the floor are invitations for a pest problem.
Rodents can easily chew through a cereal box or packaged food. They may even leave some droppings behind for you. It becomes wasteful to be continually throwing out contaminated food.
The Types of Pests a Pest Control Company Can Assist With
New Zealand attracts a variety of pests due to its ideal weather and lack of predators. Identifying which pest is causing a problem is the first step to alleviating any issues you may be having.
Pest Control is Aiding in Fighting Rising Possum Problem
Possums are likely the biggest pest in New Zealand. There are roughly 15 million in population. You are not going to want to attempt catching a possum yourself. An experienced technician can set a trap and safely remove the animal from your home.
Possums have a tendency to eat away at vegetation and have become a threat to forests and wildlife. Farmers have the added worry of the possums transmitting tuberculosis to their cattle.
Without Pest Control, Rats and Mice Can Start to Eat Through Your Walls
A rat or mouse can get into a space as small as a quarter. A pest control company can help set traps and bait to help get rid of the rodent problem. Make a point to remove their food source so they cannot return.
Any walls in your home that aren’t completely sealed are an invitation for them to come in. If you have noticed any chewed-up wires or drywall, you likely have a rodent problem. The other clear giveaway is the number of droppings they leave around your house.
The droppings from a rodent can carry the listed diseases:
- Salmonellosis
- Hantavirus
- Rat Bite Fever
Preventing these diseases is a clear reason why pest control is needed.
Bed Bugs Are Not Going to Help You Sleep Well
Bed bugs are the last thing you want to share your bed with at night. They are extremely hard to get rid of, so proper preventative pest control is key in avoiding an issue. A bed bug bite isn’t going to harm you, but it’s going to be incredibly irritating. You can develop an infection from all the scratching you likely will do.
Spotting a bed bug can sometimes be difficult, but there are certain signs you can look for:
- Small dark spots on your bedding can be an indication of droppings
- Blood spots may appear on your mattress
- You may smell an unpleasantly sweet scent
Even if they have no food source, newly hatched bed bugs can live for several months. Make sure you are washing your sheets on a regular basis to help prevent a problem.
An Ant Problem Can Quickly Lead to an Infestation Without Proper Pest Control
Ants tend to find their way into a home through walls and the foundations on buildings. Ants are a huge nuisance and can spread diseases by contaminating food.
Once an infestation has occurred, you likely will not be able to solve the problem yourself. A pest control technician will have the appropriate baits and chemicals to get rid of the colony.
Any foods ants have gotten into, will need to be thrown away. Ants are drawn to sugary foods, so it’s important to clean your counters of anything that could attract them.
Pest Control Will Help Rid Your Pet of Fleas
If you own a cat or dog, you likely are familiar with how much of a pest fleas can be. Fleas are mostly a pest because of the irritation they can cause with their bites. A pest control company has the proper insecticide to help rid you and your pets of a flea problem.
While fleas can be easier to spot on your pet’s hair, their eggs are almost impossible to find. The eggs can drop off into carpets and bedding, and you likely wouldn’t even know they were there. Routine pest control can help control a flea problem before it begins.
Fleas can carry tapeworms, and if you, or your pet, accidentally swallows an infected flea, you will need to receive antibiotics to rid yourself of them. To avoid this, it’s necessary to implement pest control.
Cockroaches Can Pass Along Diseases
Commonly found in New Zealand, cockroaches can make humans sick. They can contaminate your food and counters and transmit the following diseases:
- Salmonella
- Dysentery
An increase in childhood asthma has also been linked to the allergens in cockroaches. The following parts of a cockroach can provoke allergies and asthma.
- The dropping
- Saliva
- Shedding body parts
If you’re not convinced you need pest control, consider this, female roaches can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime. You do not want one starting a family in your home.
Pest Control Will Help Avoid a Fly Infestation
Flies can become a huge problem if not taken care of immediately. Even just a small fly problem inside your home can lead to an infestation. A pest control company can help figure out any underlying cause of the fly problem.
When a fly lands on your food, it can transfer harmful bacteria causing illness in humans. Flies have the capability of carrying the following diseases:
- Cholera
- Parasitic Worms
- Salmonella
- Tuberculosis
- Dysentery
Pest Control Will Prevent Unwanted Spiders in your Home
A technician will carefully spray all cracks and crevices with pesticides where spiders may hide. While there are plenty of spiders that harmlessly call New Zealand home, there are 2 types you should be aware of:
- The Katipo
- The Redback
While spider bites are rare, both of the listed spiders are venomous. They tend to live in ceilings and walls of homes.
You likely will notice spiders more in autumn, when the temperatures drop a bit. Spiders will begin coming out of their various hiding spots in search of a mate.
Wasps Can Give Quite the Sting
New Zealand is home to a large population of wasps. The lovely weather makes it an excellent home for them.
It’s important you don’t try to take care of a wasp’s nest yourself, especially if you are sensitive to the sting. It’s best to leave it to a professional pest control technician. The toxins from the venom in a wasp sting can cause an allergic reaction in humans.
A nest will start relatively small and grow as the number of wasps calling it home increases. Typically, nests are smaller in the spring, so if you spot one, then, be sure to take immediate action.
Silverfish Will Tear Apart Your Belongings Without Proper Pest Control
While spotting one or two silverfish may not be a problem, an infestation could be close behind. Once an infestation occurs, you will need to hire a professional pest control technician to care for the problem.
While silverfish are capable of damaging a wide range of items in your home.
- Paintings
- Photos
- Books
- Plaster
The pest can call any place home but prefer spots with a high humidity. You’ve likely found them lurking around in your ceiling, basement, or kitchen. To keep the pest out of your home, make sure to vacuum often and keep food sealed away.
How Often do you Need Pest Control?
You don’t need to tend to pest control often. When a professional pest control company is used, you only need them out about every 6-12 months.
After a while, the chemicals they used will start to become ineffective, and they need to reapply.
How to Hire the Right Pest Control Company
Before you decide to hire a pest control company, there are several factors you should take into consideration. It’s a good idea to call a couple of companies before deciding which one to go with.
Talk with Your Family and Friends
Getting a reference from a family member or close friend is usually a safe bet. While there are usually plenty of online reviews, it always makes a difference when you know someone personally who used a pest control company.
Know What Type of Treatment You Want
If you do not want harsh chemicals being used in your home, it’s important to ask a pest control company what their options are for treatment. If you have children or pets, you want to be aware of any precautions you should take after a treatment is applied.
Make Sure to Discuss What Type of Pest You Have
You want to tell the technician what type of pest you have or think you have, to make sure the company treats you correctly. If you have a rat or mice problem, you aren’t going to want not to hire a company who mainly exterminates insects.
Ask for Their Qualifications, New Zealand Certificate in Pest Operations (Level 3)
Always go with a reputable pest control company. You want to ensure the company is both insured and qualified to carry out the work. A qualified company gives the reassurance they are reputable and reliable.
If, during their treatment, there is damage to your home, an insured pest control company will be able to reimburse you.
Lowest Price Isn’t Always Best
While a good deal is always nice, it doesn’t necessarily ensure the work will be done correctly. If you pay a low price to begin with but the problem doesn’t get fixed, you’ll end up spending more in the long run.
An Employee Should Know What They are Talking About
If you are talking with a company about using their services and they can’t seem to answer any of your questions, you should move on to another one.
You are going to want a knowledgeable technician who knows the correct ways to prevent and treat a pest problem.
Know What Their Guarantee is
Most pest control companies will have some sort of guarantee. You will want to know what you are owed if the problem continues after they perform their service.
Make note of the time frame of the guarantee. There is a good chance it’s only for a few months.
Do Your Part
If your pest control technician comes every few months, but you aren’t doing anything in-between to prevent the problem, the pest will just keep coming back. You likely will end up paying much more than you originally would have.
Can I Take Care of Pest Control Myself?
Store-bought products aren’t as strong as the ones a pest control company uses. You likely will just be scratching the surface of the problem and not eliminating it.
If you insist on taking care of the problem, there are plenty of pest control products for you to perform preventative care around your home. This is a more economical option and can save the time from having to hire someone.
If you decide to be your own pest control technician, here are a few tips:
- Don’t forget to treat the outside of your home.
- Remove any standing water to avoid creating a welcoming, moist home for pests.
- Maintain your yard and avoid leaving large piles of leaves or debris.
- Use plants, like rosemary, as a repellant. This is a good alternative if you do not want harsh chemicals being used in and around your home.
- Don’t use lightbulbs that will attract pesty critters. Yellow, pink, or orange tints are not as appealing as standard lightbulbs.
Staying Safe with Pesticides
If you decide to use at-home pesticides, it’s important to follow several safety guidelines and avoid improper use.
- Make sure you read the directions thoroughly and note what to do if there is an emergency.
- Store leftover pesticides in a secure container and not easily accessible to children and pets. Do not put it anywhere near food or water.
- Always use disposable gloves when administering the pesticides.
- Wash your hands when you are finished and dispose of the gloves.
How to Prevent a Problem
Although routine pest control is your best option for prevention, there are other things you can do around your home to ward off the pests. The list is important to follow for in-between pest control treatments as well.
Fill in Any Holes Around Your House
If you keep finding the same pests coming in and out of your home, they have found an effective way to get in. Walk around the outside of your home, looking for any clues on their means of entry.
Don’t Forget to Clean up Your Crumbs
It may seem simple enough, but if you aren’t doing routine sweeping or vacuuming, a pest will gladly pick it up for you. Once they find the food source inside, they will keep coming back for more.
Make Sure Your Rubbish Bin Lid is Secure
When you move your rubbish bin to the curb for pickup, make sure the lids are secured. As pests will gladly dig through your rubbish and spread it across the ground.
Clean up Areas with Clutter
A rodent will love a cluttered garage. It gives them plenty of places to hide and stay warm. The more you can clean up the spaces where you find pests, the less of a chance it will be appealing to them.
Fix any Leaky Pipes
There are several pests who will gladly take up space around a leaky pipe. Standing water can attract:
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Rats and Mice
The pests thrive in wet, moist areas so it’s imperative you fix any leaky pipes in your home.
Check Your Pets for Fleas
We know how much fleas love pets, so make a point to check them each time they come inside. Once fleas make their way inside your home, they will only continue to spread.
Final Thoughts
If you were on the fence before about needing pest control, you would likely have a different opinion now. Preventing the possibility of a pest infestation can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
While it may seem like another extra cost, it can get even costlier if the pests invade your home and do significant damage. Hiring an experienced, reputable pest control company is a worthy investment.