If youre wondering how much pest control costs, its usually not as simple as just a flat rate. These are many different factors that can influence the final cost of your pest control service. If youre looking to hire a pest control company, consider the following factors when it comes to pricing:

After finding one uninvited pest in your home, you can assume there is more. Therefore, when hiring a pest control company, its essential to understand the types of services they provide which includes:

Pest Extermination:Used when there is an existing pest problem. These services can be provided in many forms, including insecticide sprays, insect traps, or in extreme situations, tenting and fumigation of your whole home.

Pest Removal:Used for critters that are not necessarily infesting your home. An expert in pest removal can come to your home to trap and relocate these larger pests like raccoons, opossums, squirrels, etc.

Pest Prevention:Used to prevent a pest problem before it starts, this implies getting regular treatments for your home to repel pests and cut off any entry points into your home.

The pest control cost will vary depending on the service youll need.

Several factors determine the frequency of service a pest control company will need to complete the job, such as the type of service required, the extent of the infestation, the size of your home and more. Therefore, the more extensive the treatment, the more frequent the service required and the higher the cost.

It is no secret that numerous types of pests could potentially infiltrate your home; each type of pest will require different treatments to resolve the issue. Therefore, giving one flat price for a pest control companys assistance isnt easy. For the most accurate quote on your pest problem, its best to contact your local pest control company.

Depending on the type of pest, the extent of the infestation, the size of your home, etc., a pest control company will determine the type of treatment needed for the best results. From using sprays to fumigating your whole home, the price of the pest control treatment will undoubtedly vary.

The size of your home or property (i.e., square footage of your home and how many bedrooms/bathrooms) will undoubtedly be a question your local pest control company will ask when producing their initial quote. Since this information will determine how much treatment will be required, it will factor into the cost of the service.

Depending on the severity of the pest infestation, your home or property may require several treatments or an extensive treatment like fumigation, which will increase the overall cost of your service.

Every pest control company will have different rates for each treatment type. Therefore, it is essential to do your research when selecting a company. Read reviews, ask your neighbors or check reputable sources to find a company that is experienced in the type of treatment your home needs.

The cost of your pest control treatment also depends on your location. For instance, the rate will differ if your location is more prone to pest issues compared to others. Additionally, if your home is secluded, your local pest company may be compelled to charge extra for travel costs.

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How Much Does Pest Control Cost? Forbes Home

Benefits of Pest Control

Pest control is an efficient way to prevent pests that can potentially cause health issues and structural damage on property. Controlling the infestation can mitigate the risks of costly repairs and other health-related issues. Pest control can help property owners to

Unknowingly, pest infestations can happen in any area of a property, including the perimeter, basement, indoor areas, ceiling, etc. Pest inspections can help licensed pest control professionals identify potential pest problems and design control strategies. The most common types of pests identified during inspections are the following:

Termites abound in areas where there is wood, plaster, metal siding, and insulation, and where the climate is ideal for their nests. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), termites caused over $5 billion in property damage annually in the United States alone. Termites eat into the very structure of the property including support beams, floor joints, posts, ceiling joists, and wall studs.

One of the most common ways to determine termite infestation is to check for swarming. Swarming happens during the spring when winged termites emerge inside the property. A termite inspection is recommended to ensure that, if there are termites present in the property, infestation can be controlled immediately. A termite inspection can be conducted by property owners or facility managers by visually inspecting the area with the help of a termite inspection checklist.

A termite inspection checklist is used to find evidence of termite infestation. It helps inspect the critical areas, different points of entry, and exterior and interior of the property. It is used to proactively catch an infestation before more serious damage takes place.

Bed bugs are difficult to spot due to their small size but are generally found in locations often occupied by people, since they strive to be near a food source. Hotel rooms, apartments, college dorms, residential bedrooms, and even office buildings, are susceptible to bed bug infestations. As NPMA reported, 1 in 5 Americans has had a bed bug infestation in their homes or knew someone who has encountered bed bugs in a hotel.

Bed bug bites can leave behind itchy, red welts, and can increase health risk for a secondary infection as a result of scratching. Small, reddish stains of dried blood on bedsheets are a sign of bedbug infestation. To prevent the spread, perform bed bug inspections immediately and prepare bed bug reports to apply corrective actions as soon as possible.

A bed bug report is prepared by professional bed bug exterminators, facility maintenance personnel, or housekeeping staff members to provide a comprehensive room inspection report. It helps assess the facility for signs of infestation and provides recommendations to take swift action to resolve the issue before it turns into a full-blown infestation.

Rodents can enter through property holes, pipelines, or cracks found in floors, walls, and foundations. It can consume or contaminate about 20% of the worlds food supply and can cause serious diseases such as Rat-bite fever, Salmonella, Trichinosis, Murine Typhus, Plague, and Leptospirosis.

Rodents can cause serious property damage including fire by chewing wires and spilling flammable or hazardous chemicals. These problems can be eliminated by maintaining a clean facility and adhering to safe food storage guidelines.

A food safety checklist is used to monitor employees if they are following food safety procedures to ensure goods are properly stored, handled, and prepared. It aids facility teams to assess business compliance with food safety regulations to prevent any food contamination due to rodents or other pests.

Pest control is a vital service that protects homes, families, and businesses from a variety of diseases. It helps to locate the root cause of the pest infestation and stop the spread of diseases brought by unwanted pests. The following industries benefit from using the service.

Pests carry foodborne pathogens that can contaminate food and food contact surfaces which can lead to serious food poisoning. Unable to control pest infestation can damage business reputation, costly sanitation regulatory fines, lawsuit, or even fatality.

The presence of pests in the food industry premises reflects poor hygiene and low food safety standards that could drift customers away from the business. Ensure cleanliness and maintain hygienic and organized facilities with the use of a cleaning checklist.

A commercial kitchen cleaning checklist is used to assess if a commercial kitchen follows standard cleaning protocols. It aids kitchen managers during inspections to ensure kitchen equipment is properly cleaned and sanitized before and after use.

Pest control plays a vital role in protecting the food supply and public health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have prepared a list to identify pests of significant public health importance.

Perform agriculture inspection to assess the operations involved in food production agriculture such as farming to ensure compliance with laws and quality standards. This would help identify and monitor the presence of harmful diseases, chemical residues, and pest infestations in produce to control it immediately. Unable to secure the safety of agricultural products can result in legal ramifications such as costly fines or plant shutdown.

An agriculture safety inspection checklist is designed to check the health and safety programs, workplace conditions, and hazards specific to farms and ranches. It helps monitor if pesticides are used according to good application practices.

Real estate properties are prone to pest infestation, including cockroaches, termites, and rodents, that could affect the overall structural integrity of the property. Pest control services can help ease the pain of property owners by exterminating these unwanted pests to avoid severe property damage.

Home inspections could help assess the physical condition of a property or building. It can identify any actual or potential structural issues and damage caused by pest infestation. Performing home inspections would help property owners foresee areas that need urgent repairs.

A home inspection checklist aids home inspectors when performing a visual check of the entire property. It helps to thoroughly inspect the property including grounds, structure, exterior, roof, windows, doors, interior, rooms, and other sections of the home.

The presence of pests in the hospitality industry can be a big turnoff for customers. It can cause bad reviews and poor customer retention which can lead to profit loss. Pest control is paramount to ensure the entire property is free from pest infestation.

Maintaining hotel cleanliness is a big factor to lower the risk of future infestations. The use of hotel checklists can help to improve the quality of hotel amenities and services. Perform inspection before guests check-in and after checking out to ensure the room follows hotel standards to provide guests a high level of service.

A hotel room checklist is used by housekeeping staff to maintain the guest rooms cleanliness. It helps ensure mattresses and couches are free from bed bugs and all items in the room are operational.

Create Your Own Pest Control Checklist

Eliminate manual tasks and streamline your operations.

There is a license to be a pest control operator and these service operators need to comply with existing requirements, regulations, and standards. Businesses that need pest control services arent required to conduct pest control by law. Pest control requirements will differ by states and countries. The BRC Global Standards for Food Safety, Storage, and Distribution require businesses to manage pests as a best practice for the food industry.

Safety is paramount in every business, and pest control is not an exception. Here are some important reminders to ensure the safety of employees when using pest control chemicals or other hazardous substances.

To get started, we have prepared pest control safety checklists that could guide pest control professionals to ensure their safety.

A pest control checklist is a tool that can assist inspectors during property inspections. It can help identify or look for signs of pest activity and determine whether these areas have signs or evidence that pests are nesting and need treatment. Here are some pest control checklist examples:

A PPE inspection checklist is used to select the appropriate equipment to reduce hazards identified at work. It would help ensure PPE will last for a long time with minimum degradation. It aids pest control professionals to comply with safety regulations.

This checklist is used to ensure employees are following proper handling, storing, and disposal of hazardous chemical substances. It helps assess employees if they are trained in safe procedures when working with hazardous chemicals.

A job sheet template is used to document the key tasks performed onsite and obtains the required client sign-off upon completion. It helps record the materials and cost of the works performed and the details of additional works required.

This sample pest control PDF report contains every section of the checklist form and also highlights the failed items during the pest control inspection.

Pest control service is vital in different industries, and technology plays an important role in transforming the way they do business. A cost-efficient digital solution like SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) can streamline the workflow of pest control inspections and can lead to the improvement of many processes.

Get started with SafetyCulture as pest control software to oversee and manage property conditions easily. It can help save time capturing photo evidence in-app using a mobile device and create reports easily right after the inspection with just a tap of a finger.

Taking advantage of this flexible pest control software, enables property managers to identify issues immediately and experience these benefits:

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BioSolutions 2023 Event To Shine Spotlight on Nasty Fruit and Nut Pests  Growing Produce

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Moles can eat their weight in worms and grubs every day, so they find healthy, well-watered lawnswhich are full of worms and grubsvery attractive. Tunneling as fast as a foot per minute under the sod, one mole can make an average yard look like an army invaded it.To their credit, moles do a good job of aerating the soil and controlling Japanese beetle larvae and other harmful bugs, and they don't eat flowers or plants. If you can live with them, they generally won't cause any serious, long-term damage to your yard. However, if you can't, you'll have to do some DIY pest control methods to trap or remove them. The population density of moles is generally no more than three per acre, so catching even one might take care of the problem.Livetrapping moles by setting a deep bucket under an active tunnel is sometimes effective. To set up a live trap, dig a hole at the tunnel deep enough to set a 2- to 5-gallon bucket below the level of the tunnel. Pack the dirt around the edge of the bucket, then cover the hole with sod or plywood so you can check the hole daily. The mole will fall in, and then you can take it to a new location.However, the most effective, time-tested method is to set up a spring-loaded prong or choker-loop trap that is activated when the mole pushes against it.For the spring trap, flatten an area of the tunnel slightly bigger than the base of the trap and set the trap over it. Follow the manufacturer's directions to arm the trap, then cover it with a 5-gallon bucket to keep kids and pets away. Remove it and the mole after it's been triggered, or try a different tunnel if it hasn't been triggered after several days.Whether you set up a live or a spring-loaded trap, the first step is to locate the active tunnels. Step on the tunnels you see in one or two spots to collapse them, then check those spots the next day. If the tunnel has been dug out again, it's an active one, and a good spot to set a trap.

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Slick Barrier on Shark Tank: How did the founders come up with innovative pest control solution? Backstory and more  Sportskeeda

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HOLMDEL, N.J., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WorkWave, the premier provider of SaaS software solutions that support every stage of a service business's life cycle, announces today its partnership with Certus, a top pest control company focused on rapid expansion through acquisitions, to create a single, consolidated software platform for all of its sales and operations company-wide.

With 42 acquisitions in just two years, Certus has quickly become one of the fastest-growing pest control providers in the industry. With no slowdown in sight, Certus sought to select a software partner that would enable a unified focus on performance improvement, consolidation of technology, and efficiency of operations across the company, further facilitating growth.

"We have found immense value in selecting PestPac as our software partner across our sales and service operations because we can onboard our new companies quickly and effectively, with the knowledge that they now have access to the most powerful pest control solution on the market. Our teams complement each other well and constantly learn from one another," says Mike Givlin, CEO and co-founder of Certus. "We're working on a comprehensive view of all of our company data, better reporting, and more efficient routing capabilities. We would not be able to achieve that comprehensive view of our business without WorkWave by our side."

Certus selected PestPac by WorkWave in 2020, citing the need for deep pest control functionality, the ability to scale across a large operation while maintaining speed and performance, a breadth of offerings that covered both residential and commercial operations, and the ability to accommodate a complex mix of service offerings found among the diverse pest control providers.

Certus then undertook a standard process to efficiently consolidate each new acquisition into one North American instance of the software, bringing them up to speed as quickly as possible. This smooth process was especially important as the technology experience level varied greatly across its newly-acquired companies; some companies were already familiar with using a software solution to run their business, while, for others, PestPac would be their first software solution.

"We are honored to be partnering with such a forward-looking and innovative company. Certus is representative of the new way of thinking among pest control operatorsthinking beyond service, as we call itfocusing on a great customer experience combined with higher growth and profitability," said David F. Giannetto, CEO of WorkWave. "Certus knows that they can rely on WorkWave to provide the software necessary to help them achieve their objectives, creating synergies in an increasingly complex operation and giving them the confidence to focus on growth and providing the best service possible. That's what success means to us."

Based on the success of this program, Certus is accelerating implementation so that all of its companies will be in one single, integrated platform within the next 12 months.

About WorkWave

For nearly 40 years, WorkWave has been building best practices into its market-leading field service and last mile software solutions to allow best-in-class companies to grow their business, service their customers and maximize their money. Its solutions empower service-oriented companies to reach their full potential through scalable, cloud-based software solutions that support every stage of a business life cycle, including marketing, sales, service delivery, customer interaction and financial transactions. WorkWave is a trusted partner for thousands of customers across a wide variety of industries, including pest control, lawn care, cleaning, HVAC, plumbing and electrical, and last mile delivery. WorkWave's award-winning culture and solutions have been recognized in the SaaS Awards, the Cloud Awards, the American Business Awards, the NJBIZ Best Places to Work Awards, and the Stevie Awards for Great Employers. For more information, visit workwave.com.

About Certus

Certus is a different kind of pest control company built on a foundation of putting people first, doing the right thing, and always reaching higher. Founded in 2019, our team has taken decades of industry experience and brought a new way of thinking to pest control. Simply put, we believe there is always a better waynot only in the pest control methods we use, but in how we operate our business itself. Over the next few years, we expect to build a Top 10 PCT company.

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Sr. Manager, Strategic Communications

WorkWave

Email: bboyle@workwave.com

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Certus Selects WorkWave as Its Software and Solutions Partner, Utilizing PestPac to Power Its Rapid Expansion - KPVI News 6

Palm Bay, Florida, Aug. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Raccoons in Treasure Coast are an all too familiar problem. Yet when you have a raccoon tearing up your attic or causing havoc in your yard, what should you do?

The trouble is raccoons are intelligent animals. They cause damage, they leave potentially dangerous droppings, and they can be nasty if confronted. Trying to remove or control them yourself, without knowledge or experience in pest control, is a risk not worth taking.

AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast are the local experts when it comes to raccoon removal. Owned by Alex Lauffenburger, well known in the industry for his passion for wildlife and expertise in removal techniques, he and his team understand the importance of having a safe and secure home, and just how much damage and danger raccoons can provoke.

Below, Alex outlines his dos and donts of raccoon removal and control:

Do contact a wildlife pest control service as soon as the critter has been discovered

As soon as youre aware of a raccoon problem in your home, contact a raccoon control wildlife pest control service such as AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast. Raccoons can cause huge damage to your home, gnawing through plumbing, staining your attic with excrement, and tearing up insulation. The longer you leave it, the worse the damage can become.

Dont use a wildlife pest control service that uses extermination tactics like poison

Not only is it inhumane but bringing in poisonous substances to your home is a danger. Raccoons dont tend to lay dormant and can quite easily move around your home and track the poison with them. This is a huge risk for you, your family, and your pets, and it makes the raccoons desperate for water, resulting in even more damage to your plumbing.

Do ask a licensed operator to trap them

Humane traps are available in the form of one way and two-way trap doors. The idea that you set bait in the trap (something the raccoons cant resist such as pet food or marshmallows) and once they go for the bait, the door closes behind them. AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast are a licensed and certified by the state of Florida.

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Dont try to trap them yourself this could be dangerous

Raccoons can be quite dangerous if approached. Not only does it take specialist raccoon pest control knowledge and equipment to trap and remove them, but it takes somebody with the skill and confidence to get the job done without hurting the animal. If things go wrong, raccoons can be quite nasty, and you may be left with wounds.

Do identify and seal off entry points

Once the raccoons have been trapped and removed, to have the best possible chances of them not returning, youll need to seal off all entry points. These include any small openings and cracks (raccoons are small and nimble and can fit through surprisingly small spaces!).

AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast are certified to make damage repairs and secure entry points. They can even help with attic restoration, which is a great add-on service should your attic be in a state of disrepair.

Dont clean up raccoon excrement without protective wear

Not only can racon droppings cause unsightly damage to your attic, but they could be infected with roundworms that pose a health threat to anybody that comes into contact with them. Roundworm is a lethal disease, particularly dangerous to children who may ingest them while playing in a backyard of play area. Its advised you leave the clean up to the experts, who will remove waste, perform odor control, and replace insulation if required.

Do call a wildlife pest control service if you have a dead raccoon in your home

Treasure Coast is particularly bad for dead animals due to the areas wet climate. It makes it tricky to remove them and knowing how to handle a dead raccoon and how to properly dispose of it requires expert knowledge.

Dont take the DIY rote always trust a Treasure Coast wildlife pest control expert

If youre dealing with a raccoon problem and youre worried about the safety of your home, you, and your loved ones, its never a good idea to take on the task yourself. It truly does require expert tactics and knowledge of the mammal to ensure that you successfully remove them, you seal up your home so they cannot return, and that you clean up the mess in a safe, efficient manner.

Call the guys at AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast today on 772-324-3412 and ask them about their raccoon removal and control services.

AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast team also service the following cities:

Palm Bay

Melbourne Beach

West Melbourne

Malabar

Grant-Valkaria

Vero Beach

Stuart

Sebastian

Port Saint Lucie

Melbourne

Jensen Beach

Hobe Sound

Fort Pierce

Jupiter

More Information:

AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast is a proud member of the AAAC Wildlife Removal family of franchise companies. Our wildlife operators are trained with the most up to date techniques to handle all of your wildlife needs. If youve got a wildlife problem, we can fix it! Learn more via the website: https://treasure-coast.aaacwildliferemoval.com/

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AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast: The Dos and Donts of Raccoon Removal and Control - Yahoo Finance

After a decades-long campaign by some health and labor organizations, the Environmental Protection Agency last week banned the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food grown in or imported into the United States.

The pesticide has been used to control crop pests since 1965. Its most commonly used on grapes, broccoli and cauliflower and row crops.

For years advocacy groups have noted chlorpyrifoss negative effects on childrens brain development, citing studies that link the pesticide to learning disabilities and ADHD. News of the ban was met with praise on social media, including several Instagram and Twitter comments that commended the EPA for taking action.

But in Pennsylvania, the move was greeted with less fanfare.

I do think its something some growers will miss not having, said William Troxell, executive director of the PA Vegetable Growers Association, which did not formally take a position on the issue. In a lot of cases, there are other insecticides that are less toxic that are available. Oftentimes growers do appreciate having something thats known to be very effective available to them if they need it.

Troxell said according to the associations most recent data from 2020, out of 1,000 survey responses, 73% of Pennsylvania farmers consider themselves conventional, meaning they use pesticides either regularly or only when necessary.

Simmons Farms in McMurray falls into the conventional category.

We feel comfortable using them (pesticides), said Scott Simmons, a partner at Simmons Farms. Being that its a family farm, we dont want to use them any more than we have to we eat all our own products. We try to be careful.

Simmons said growing up, his family would spray crops with pesticides daily. Now, the farm, which complies with U.S. Department of Agricultures Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, only uses pesticides when necessary. Simmons said todays farmers can follow online pest trackers to determine when a certain fungus or pest will be in the area, and spray crops accordingly.

Simmons said the farm did use chlorpyrifos years ago, but hasnt used that particular pesticide in about 15 years.

We have seen a trend in the declining use of chlorpyrifos in Pennsylvania already as growers saw signals of this coming, Emily Demsey, communications director for the state Department of Agriculture, wrote in an email. Production of the chemical has been phased out of major producers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture does not gather data on pesticide use, but the departments observations support the Pennsylvania Farm Bureaus most recent data showing only a small percentage of farmers surveyed use chlorpyrifos regularly.

The farm bureau advocated against the EPA banning the use of the pesticide.

Farmers have been using (chlorpyrifos) for decades. Every farm is different, the soil is different. A lot of farmers are making decisions based on years of research of what is working specifically on their farms, said Liam Migdail, a spokesperson for the farm bureau. A lot of these are very, very farm-specific decisions. Whenever you take away a tool ... theres a lot of relearning that has to happen, that process of trial and error.

No relearning will take place at Redrange Farm in Fayette County.

We do not use any chemicals in our gardens or farming areas, Lorraine Coates, who runs the farm with Roger Clawson, stated in an email. This ban does not impact us in any way.

Some states, including Maryland, already have begun phasing out chlorpyrifos. Demsey said the EPAs action is effective six months after the ban is added to the federal register, meaning it should take effect in early 2022.

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EPA bans use of pesticide linked to learning disabilities, ADHD - Observer-Reporter

This installment of Home Sweet Home is presented by Bella Construction

Ants in the entryway or earwigs in the closet? If these common pests are making you squirm, youre not alone.

Its normal for bugs to make their way into your home in the summer, but you dont have to let them stay!

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Common Bugs That Pose a Problem

Ants

Cockroaches

Crickets

Earwigs

Fleas (especially if you have four-legged friends)

Flies

Spiders

If your space is currently home to more than its fair share of any of these pests, here are a few tips for ridding your house of common insects and pest-proofing your home for the future.

Handling an Infestation

You have several options for handling an infestation, ranging from mechanical to chemical. The first step is always to identify what type of pest youre dealing with and where theyre coming from.

Then, follow up with one of these pest control strategies.

Traps: Store-bought traps can be very effective for difficult pests like cockroaches. Most traps involve bait and a glue or sticking agents to hold the insects on the trap. Some traps, especially for winged bugs, use containers with bait, so once the insect flies inside, it cant get back out.

Household Products:

Dish Soap: Spray diluted dish soap on ant-infested areas to get rid of these pests. It helps eliminate the scent of their trails.

Lavender: Flies, moths, and mosquitos hate the scent of lavender. You can hang dried bouquets of lavender in entryways, or dab a small amount of essential oil in problem spots.

Lemon: Rubbing a lemon peel around entryways, windows, and baseboards can help deter spiders and other insects.

Vinegar: A squirt of dish soap with your vinegar will attract and then trap any fruit flies or standard flies that may be swarming around your kitchen fruit bowl. A cocktail of vinegar, lemon juice, and witch hazel is also effective for ridding your home of fleas.

Chemical Insecticides: If you have a stubborn pest or an infestation larger than the pointed interventions above can address, consider using one of the pesticides available commercially. Pesticide Environmental Stewardship offers a guide to Using Pesticides Safely and Correctly, and here are some of the key highlights:

Choose the pesticide that will target your pest (an insecticide specifically for spiders or mites, for example).

Wear protective clothing and safety gear (including goggles and gloves).

Apply only as much as the label instructs.

Do not apply in windy or rainy weather.

Getty Images

When to Call the Pros

If youve tried traps, natural, and chemical strategies, and you still have unwanted houseguests, its definitely time to call in the pros. (Although, theres no shame in bringing in the pros after even one unsuccessful DIY pest control option, especially if youve got a phobia of your pest.)

Professional pest control companies should be certified by your state or territory regulatory agency. Make sure to read up on the pesticide they will be using around your home and how long you should keep children or animals out of the area.

Pest-Proofing Your Home

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep your home pest-free with some simple daily guidelines.

Start by removing the things that make your home inviting to bugs, like cluttered places to hide, scraps of food (or trash), and standing water. You may even want to cover pet water bowls at night and tightly cover any garbage cans in your house.

Here are several additional measures you can take to pest-proof your home:

Inside:

Seal cracks with caulk.

Seal around windows and doors with weather stripping or door sweeps.

Fill holes with steel wool.

Store food only in the kitchen and only in sealed containers (even dry goods like pasta, flour, crackers, etc.).

Sweep up any spills and crumbs.

Take out the garbage frequently.

Vacuum and sweep regularly.

Remove any standing water (around houseplants, leaky faucets, etc.).

Outside:

Keep the perimeter of the house free of clutter and yard debris.

Stack firewood away from the house.

Remove weeds and old leaves, anything thats a good hiding place for pests.

For more guidance, see also the Environmental Protection Agencys pest control tips.

This summer, dont let those bugs get the better of you. Target your pests, eliminate any already in your space, and use our tips to maintain a clean, pest-free, and pest-proof home.

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