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There is a common desire for individuals to take on DIY jobs around the home and garden, rather than call in professional services. In many cases, people are perfectly capable of carrying out simple plumbing repairs or servicing their own car.
Some tasks are best left to the specialists though. No one but a registered professional should be tampering with gas supplies for instance. And in some countries such as Australia, it is illegal to even carry out electrical work in your home yourself.
Pest control is another area where many people choose to take affairs into their own hands so to speak. It isn’t uncommon for people to use mosquito repellant for instance as a form of bug control.
However, when it comes to more serious forms of pest control, should you be trying to handle this yourself, or are there dangers involved?
Can You Use DIY Pest Control Methods?
The internet has grown from something of a novelty to a tool that is used in daily life by billions. Whether it is your main source of communication, you like to play games online, or whether it is a business tool, the internet has changed how many people conduct daily activities.
One very popular area of the net is blogs and video reports. Influencers abound on Instagram, but there are also those bloggers who are more low-key and like to give out advice. It is in these areas where you can find DIY cleaning solution recipes and instructions for constructing your own treehouses.
You will also find ideas for DIY pest control methods. There are many different ways to control pests in your home, and some DIY methods are okay, but others may be more harmful than you imagine. While some might be utterly pointless.
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What DIY Pest Control Methods Are There?
Techniques for controlling pests and bugs yourself range from the simple to the more complicated. The most simple and common method is one already mentioned; mosquito repellant. Many people use this, and some believe it works, while others find little benefit.
Mosquito nets are another form of pest control, and these are to be recommended. Especially in hotspots for dengue fever and malaria. Closer to home though, pest control methods are more likely to include traps, bait, and pesticides.
One method for removing bed bugs and other pests is through the use of diatomaceous earth, and the National Pesticide Information Center lists many interesting facts about this. These include the potential risk of cancer from overexposure to DE.
Other approaches that can be used in the home are traps, zappers, and bug sprays. The latter contains chemicals and pesticides, which may cause problems to you and your family’s health, as well as the pests you are trying to control.
Are There Dangers to Using DIY Pest Control Methods?
One of the dangers or risks of trying to control pests yourself is that you are unlikely to have the same experience that professionals do. This means that not only could you be using the wrong methods of pest control, but you may also even make the situation worse.
Some pests breed incredibly fast. So, if you are trying to control pests with a method that isn’t correct for the task, you could find that you end up with an infestation that is out of control before you know it.
Then there are the health concerns to consider. The National Library of Medicine reports that an average of 130,000 calls were made to poison control centers between 2006 and 2010. Put simply, pesticides are poison. They are designed to kill pests, and they are also highly toxic to humans.
Even store-bought pesticides or bug sprays need to be handled with care. Pest control experts understand what to use to eradicate problems, and what safety measures to take.
What Should You Do If You Have a True Infestation?
While you can certainly control certain pests in the home. You may find that a real infestation needs more serious work.
Drain flies can be removed with boiling water, or baking soda and vinegar. Dust mites can be controlled through steam cleaning and professional carpet cleaning services. But, a bed bug or termite infestation will need something far stronger.
If you have an infestation of any type of pest you should look for pest control companies near you that have experience in these areas. Check out their reputation online, and what services, and guarantees, they can provide. You may also wish to ask about discretion. After all, you might not want your neighbors to see a large pest control van outside your home.
What About the Pests Outdoors?
If you are a keen gardener, then you may be more worried about pests outdoors than inside. Knowing how to identify pests that are ruining your garden and yard is a key step to being in control here.
Some insects are very beneficial to the garden, and careful control needs to be made to ensure that you have a balanced ecosystem.
Some things to be aware of are tree stumps, and certain plants in your garden. Rotting tree stumps will attract pests, and these can sometimes move to the home as well if the stump is close enough. Different plants in your garden can be very beneficial though.
Some plants attract certain insects, while others can repel pests. What is important here is to keep on attracting the good insects, while keeping the pests away.
The garden is one area that DIY pest control methods can be put to good use, and needn’t involve any harsh chemicals.
Summary
There is a time and occasion for certain DIY pest control methods. Certainly, prevention is one way to take matters into your own hands. The garden can also be managed carefully to ensure you don’t attract pests.
However, a real infestation in a home needs to be treated properly. A simple pest control problem can grow into an unmanageable situation in no time if not handled correctly. Some pests are simply difficult to remove, and these need proper professional control methods.
