10 Pest Control Myths & Misconceptions You Should Know
You have been hearing advice about pests, many simple, others complex, and some that make you question people’s sanity. There are manypest control myths surrounding types of bugs, home treatments, using the services of a pest control company, and so on. Which are facts and which are the myths, that is the problem we’ll address in this guide. Let’s debunk some of the popular misconceptions concerning pests and pest control treatments.
Top Pest Control Myths: Separating Reality from Misunderstandings
Misconceptions make solving the problem more difficult; for instance, any myths about chemical treatments for pests keep people from using them or employing the right products and techniques. There are many more instances where myths hinder effective pest treatment, so let’s bust them.
Here are the top ten misunderstandings about various pests and their treatments, and the facts!
Pests Do Not Enter Clean Homes
Possibly one of the most common misconceptions about pest control is that it is only needed in ‘dirty’ homes. The reality is that pests don’t discriminate which home they enter. Pests seek food and shelter, so it is all about easy access and hiding.
Will a dirtier home affect the way pests spread? Yes, clutter makes it easy for pests to hide and longer to get out. However, a seemingly clean home can have a very serious termite issue or a fly problem just waiting to happen.
It is diligence like eliminating gaps and cracks, ensuring sealed trash bins, and packing up food in containers that keep pests out and make their survival difficult.
Mosquitoes Sting When It Is Dark
Mosquitoes love the dark, and be more active at dawn and dusk because it is cooler. However, these nuisances are very much alive and ready to sting during the day too, especially inside homes. One of the best ways to get rid of mosquitoes from your home is eliminating and treating standing water.
Regularly treat water features, like leaky faucets and open drain lines. Mosquitoes love the coolness and dampness surrounding stagnant water. If you have a garden with a pond, then add some insect-repellant plants like citronella or eucalyptus. As for water in pools or outdoor decorations (fountains), chlorine treatment can keep flying pests at bay.
Catch Rats/Mice with Cheese Traps
The well-known image of a gouda cheese slice in a mousetrap is visually vibrant. Nevertheless, it is not a realistic way to catch rodents!
If you are looking to try out natural pest solutions when you suspect rodents, try peanut butter or nuts. The use of dairy for mice is one of the myths regarding pests that result in icky-smelling places. Nobody wants rotten dairy around their home.
Of course, if you need a surefire way of getting rid of mice and rats, professional pest control technicians use a combination of baiting, trapping, and exclusion, which is far more sustainable than DIY pest control.
Bed Bugs Hide in Beds/Mattresses
So, you think you are safe from bed bugs because you have a brand-new or clean mattress? Think again: believing in such pest control myths can keep you from good pest control measures.
First, bed bugs infest more than just beds, which is why they move around so easily, infesting entire neighborhoods. Contrary to the common pest infestation misconceptions that bed bugs only infiltrate mattresses, these critters can latch onto any fabric, like the lining inside the luggage or stuffed animal toys.
If these pests do invade your home, the good news is that you can get rid of bed bugs with expert help. Trained technicians use heat and chemical treatments on mattresses, fabrics, toys, and anything else they detect bed bugs on.
Cockroaches Mean a Dirty Place
While any pest in your home or workplace becomes a source of embarrassment, cockroaches seem to have a special reputation for being a sign of ‘dirty’ places. Such misconceptions about pest control are dangerous, as they are not only false but also keep people from calling pest control out of fear of scrutiny.
Seeing a cockroach crawling about what you know is a clean floor and tidy room is simply typical pest behavior. It is attracted to a dark, damp place, like a bathroom, basement, or attic. Plus, the roach is roaming around in search of food. Cockroaches can thrive in clean spaces when there is food and water around. Add grilles to drain line openings, seal gaps, and clear away food crumbs, and you are well on your way to keeping roaches away.
Termites Don’t Infest Concrete Homes
Are homes with wood in foundations and walls more susceptible to termites? Yes, especially if the soil is not treated during pre-construction. That said, homes built out of concrete bricks and plaster are not entirely safe from roaches either. One of the pest control truths for every homeowner is that termites can happen if you have wood anywhere.
Be careful when bringing in furniture, especially if it is thrifted. It is important to let go of the misconception in pest control about termites, and understand that termites can travel between houses using underground tunnels, linked wooden structures, and tiny cracks. They move from one home to another in search of food, moisture, and better living conditions.
Cockroaches Are Harmless
It is true that cockroaches rarely bite, making them less worrisome than rodents or bed bugs. However, one of the leading myths about pest control is that cockroaches are ‘harmless’. The German cockroach variety common in Dubai homes can carry diseases via germs and bacteria that enter from rubbish heaps.
More importantly, pest prevention and control for roach infestations are crucial because some people can present cockroach allergy symptoms. If you have breathing difficulties without any explainable cause, like illness or flu season, the cause can be roaches. The allergens from these pests get airborne and cause asthma or allergy symptoms, such as coughing and difficulty breathing.
One Treatment is Enough for Termites
When it comes to effective pest methods for any kind of crawling or flying bugs, a single treatment is rarely the answer to long-term control. In the case of termites, that is especially true, contradicting the pest control myths that termites go away quickly and that one round of fumigation is enough. Where pest experts may need to follow up just once after a roach or ant treatment, termite control takes a while. Termite infestations can be long-lasting and need a comprehensive strategy. It is vital to have regular inspections and sometimes re-treatments to tackle any new infestations that could occur.
DIY Treatments Can Eliminate Pests
Pest sprays, powers, and traps exist in every major store and supermarket. These off-the-shelf products do contain insecticides to kill the pests they are intended for, but that does not guarantee eradicating the entire infestation. Unlike one of the popular myths regarding pests, store-bought treatment, or worse, DIY methods and home remedies, are not sustainable options because”
- There are hazards of pesticides in case of improper use.
- Pests can develop immunity to mass-marketed formulas.
- Chemical treatment alone is not effective for many pests.
DIY pest treatments are even more ineffective, rendering the pests slow but not tackling the root problem and the hiding spots.
Pest Control Uses Toxic Chemicals
Long-term pest management involves the use of chemical and non-chemical methods that eliminate pests hiding within the foundation or outside and at the adult or larvae stage of the breeding cycle. That is possible when you hire a professional pest control company, so steer clear of exterminator myths!
A leading misconception in pest control is that the chemicals professional pest control involves are toxic. On the contrary, DIY treatments and store-bought pesticides are actually damaging, whereas municipality-approved pest control experts use eco-friendly products. In case of widespread misting or fogging (e.g. for termites or mosquitoes), they will clear the premises for a while.
Bottom Line
Like any matter that affects everyday life, the tips and advice are ridden with misconceptions. Steer clear of pest control myths to maintain health safety, and peace of mind, and go for prompt pest control if you see or suspect an infestation. At Pest Control Dubai, we follow a strategic route, starting from pest identification and using tailored treatment to make your space pest-free. Give us a call and leave the hassle of pest control to us.
