We all get insect problems once in a while, with hundreds of different kinds of pests literally bugging us depending on the season.
The truth about insects is that they are always going to be a part of our lives. They dominate all environments that help support human lives and compete with us for food and other natural resources. In some instances, insects are beneficial to the ecosystem, but when they are near human dwellings, that is when the destruction happens.
There are millions, no, billions of pests, in this world. At one point, each one of us will find ourselves having to confront a pest. They can attack our homes, our gardens, commercial buildings, restaurants, agricultural fields; you name it, the list goes on and on.
These days, there are manybug exterminators that are knocking on our doors, asking us to give them a chance. However, we all have to be wary of all of them; not every so-called pest control professional can be trusted. We will have to exercise due diligence when hiring a pest control, after all, we are entrusting our health, our property, and virtually our lives to them each time they do a job.
One company you can always count on is Go-Forth Home Services, the leading pest control company in the Lexington, NC area.
So what does Go-Forth Home Services do? What makes them special that they are so popular?
Keep reading and you will find out!
Bugs & Pest Control
Bugs can be beneficial to the environment. Most of them, in fact, are harmless and we are all living with quite a lot of them in our own homes. Usually, these bugs feed on real pests. It has been said that we are all living within 3 feet of a spider; we can all probably expand on that and say we are all living within 3 feet of bugs inside our house of offices. It does not mean we have pests, though.
Pests can be bugs or other insects, plants, or animals. Just the mere presence of cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, mice, rats, and mold can make anyone cringe; the mere mention of these creatures can elicit an emotional response. Pests are more than just a nuisance, they are a health hazard to your family, destroy property, and put a large hole in your wallet. They also present a big problem for your pets and garden. They live in our house, eat our food, give us diseases, and do not pay rent.
In light of this, it is important to be knowledgeable about proper pest control methods in fighting these pests that invade our lives. Even though it is impossible to completely eradicate pests, we can at least control them.
There are many different ways to control pests. Usually the most effective is mechanical pest control. Mechanical pest control, if implemented before a massive attack takes place, can give homeowners the desired result. This method includes mouse traps or in the case of garden pests, handpicking them. This method is the most environmentally friendly.
Another method is biological. This includes pesticides that are made from plants or other natural substances like microorganisms.
A third method is the chemical pest control method, which most people find as the easiest; just go to your local store and get one from the shelf. Chemical pest control makes use of toxic synthetic pesticides. This is the most damaging to the environment among the three methods, it is not considered organic.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management uses complementary methods of pest control. This method is much more environment-friendly.
Integrated Pest Management is defined as “the careful use of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and minimize and reduce risks to human health and the environment.” This definition is by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
This method was initially developed for commercial farmers but has also been adopted eventually by homeowners and gardeners as well. It does not promote the use of synthetic pesticides that can affect human health.
IPM combines a series of activities and is not just a single control measure. IPM involves prevention, knowing the acceptable pest levels, monitoring, and control.
Prevention is the first line of defense. This involves activities that will keep pests from coming, like removing the things that they are attracted to.
Knowing the acceptable levels is also very important. As we said, insects can be beneficial too. They may also be just at a level in which you can tolerate their presence, and no action is required. That is why you need to monitor them at all times.
However, if the pests go beyond acceptable levels, then mechanical control methods are the number one option, like handpicking the pests from the plants, placing row covers, vacuuming, and putting traps. Introducing beneficial insects can do the trick also.
Steps In Pest Control
The first important step when controlling pests is to know what the problem is. If the problem is in the garden, check if it is really pests that is your problem or maybe there are poor growing conditions. Of course, there are times when identifying the problem is obvious, like when you see a cockroach crawling right next to you, or a mouse scurrying across the table. Next is to find out how serious the problem is, but please be warned that while some of us here can tolerate a single cockroach or mouse, the problem might soon get out of control since these creatures reproduce quickly.
If you have one mouse, then you can probably set up a mousetrap, but if you have a whole family of mice, a stronger solution should be taken, either by using safe chemical pesticides or hiring a professional exterminator.
Pest Control Companies: What Do They Do?
Professional pest exterminators will first make a thorough inspection of your property. This will reveal the extent of your pest problems, or if your home is vulnerable to attacks.
Some of the methods that pest control professionals use are fumigation, spot treatment, and the use of chemicals that only they are allowed to use.
Why Is Inspection Important?
When people say pest inspection, what usually comes to mind is a termite inspection. We cannot blame them since termites are the most notorious household pests. Unfortunately, the pest world is more than just termites. There are more bugs and other insects out there that can make your life a nightmare. Some of these include ants, silverfish, beetles, and weevils. Of course, do not forget about mice, rats, mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches.
A good inspector will not rush things, and would thoroughly make a visual inspection of every corner of your house. They will crawl into areas that are out of the way, like the basement and attic, to look for signs. They are not afraid to get down and dirty. It is what they do.
Before you ask them to do the dirty work, ask for their credentials. Check their licenses and their references. The inspector should be more than willing to answer your questions.
After the inspection, you should be provided with a report. Regular inspections are recommended to minimize the possibility of pests invading your home.
Choosing an Expert on Bug Control
Sure, you can choose DIY methods but when the pest problems become overwhelming, you will probably need an expert.
When choosing an exterminator, keep these things in mind:
- Ask your neighbors, friends, and family for recommendations.
- Check with past clients of the company you are eyeing. Do not be hasty in making a decision on who to get.
- Check if they are accredited by the National Pest Management Association and with the local authorities.
- Know what their guarantees cover and put things in black and white.
- Check with the Environmental Protection Agency about the legal restrictions on commercial pesticides.
- Be wary of those who offer large discounts that are too good to be true. It is the value that you really want and not the price.
Go-Forth Home Services Is Simply The Best
Do you have pest problems that overwhelm you? Are you worried about your family’s health because of these pests? Are you worried about the damage they can cause?
History has shown that pests like mosquitoes, rats, mice, and cockroaches can deliver dangerous diseases right to your doorstep. They can give us malaria, dengue fever, leptospirosis, cholera, salmonella, and many others; it depends on the type of pest that you have. This is why you should take action!
DIYs, though more inexpensive, just might not solve the problem, especially if you do not know how to use pesticides properly; you might just waste money and time.
This is where Go-Forth Home Services steps in. The best pest control company in the Lexington area will make sure you are going to be pest-free using their superior technology and well-trained professionals.