Can you think of a piece of information that you haven’t learned at school or on the internet but just happen to know because it has been passed down by your family? Some of the information and habits that we adopt have been passed down from generation to generation. While some of it is helpful and might, at some point, save our lives, most of it is untrue and based on myths. Sadly, some people never find out the truth until they have suffered and damaged something.
Pest control is one of the things that we have often seen our family members struggling with. It is not uncommon for older adults to adopt DIY-practices to get rid of bugs in the house. But how effective are these, really? It is time to slash out all the false information that you might have learned growing up and re-learn ways to keep your home protected against pests. Pests pose a serious risk to the health of you and your family, especially young children. This article will explore some of the most common pest control myths you may have heard over time.
Myth #1: Pests Die Out in the Winter
If you live in Maine, you might have heard of the misconception that bugs simply “die out” when winter arrives. Unfortunately, this is a myth. The truth is that when it gets cold outside, there is a greater chance of pests entering your home during the night and becoming more active. This is because they are desperately in need of some warmth, food, and shelter.
Some pests and insects cannot keep themselves warm as their bodies do not produce heat. This includes cockroaches, spiders, ants, and mosquitoes. To remain alive and healthy, these pests depend on environmental warmth and comfort. That is why you might notice more pests inside your house in the winter months.
Other pests commonly found in Maine during the winters include mice and rats, as well as furry critters such as raccoons and squirrels. Think of it this way – whenever you feel cold, these pests feel cold. As a result, they will invade your home. This will result in the pests spreading their urine, feces, and with it, infections and illnesses. It might also mean some costly repairs that you might have to deal with.
Myth #2: Mice Live on Cheese
In the famous cartoon, Tom and Jerry, we learned that Jerry was extremely fond of cheese. In fact, he ONLY ever ate cheese. The truth is that while mice will devour a giant chunk of cheese, it is not the only type of food they eat.
Studies show that mice will munch on any kind of food they can find, including sweets, cereals, grains, dried fruits, and any kinds of crumbs that you leave lying around. Mice also like eating peanut butter, chocolate, and hazelnut spread.
Myth #3: A Clean House Will Not Attract Pests
False! While cleanliness is great and must be maintained, some pests do not care and will still end up in your home when you least expect it. Bed bugs, termites, and carpenter ants can easily infest your home, whether it is dirty or clean. After all, the only things that these pests care about are shelter and warmth. Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt, but if you have lots of clutter in the bedroom, or if your kid’s toys are always thrown into a heap, these pests will find places to hide in. Bed bugs can also be found in the seams of couches, folds of curtains, drawers, beneath loose wallpapers or flooring, tags of mattresses, box springs, and near the piping.
Pests such as mice, ants, and cockroaches are attracted to spills, crumbs, grease, and mess. Hence, it is still important to keep your house clean, but it should not be the only thing you rely upon. The myth that a clean house does not attract pests is as harmful as if a household is infested with bedbugs, the owners might think that they only need to get the house cleaned to get rid of them. This thought process interferes with them taking advice and help from a pest prevention company.
Myth #4: Houses Built on Slabs Will Never Get Infested
A common myth is that houses built on concrete slab foundations do not require any termite protection because these pests cannot find their way through. However, this is a myth. Most termites live underground and travel back and forth with the help of mud tunnels. That is why houses built on basements will often experience termite infestations and other kinds of home damage.
Remember, all pests, including termites, are extremely clever. They will get into houses built on slab foundations simply by bypassing the layer of concrete and crawling into the wood structures of the house. Termites can also enter your house through plumbing and utility entries. The truth is, most termites are sneaky enough to not get noticed for a long time.
However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, termites will crawl up the slab layer just to feed on a piece of wood. Soon enough, they will infest all the wood inside your house. Hence, the foundation of your home is extremely important and must be kept pest-free at all times.
Myth #5: Pest Control Services Should Only Be Contacted When There is a Problem
This is the biggest and by far the most dangerous myth. Think about it this way – do you wait for life to hit you in the knees, or do you prepare for the worst? If you want to keep any infestations at bay, preventive pest control is a priority.
AntsPlus is a leading pest control service in Maine that will help prevent serious pest problems before they can even see the light of the day. We will thoroughly inspect your home and point out areas that are more liable to become infested. Preventive maintenance costs far less than treating a serious infestation. After all, it is always better to be careful than sorry!