DIY Bed Bug Treatment Craze
October 30, 2019
The DIY Bed Bug Craze - Should You Hop On This Train?
"Bed Bugs" most of us get itchy all over just thinking about them. The idea of sharing a bed with dozens of tiny blood-sucking insects, not to mention their shed skins, droppings, and eggs; could any expense be too high to avoid waking up to that?
Well, a growing number of homeowners delay or avoid hiring licensed, professional exterminators like us, and resort to home remedies
or cheap pesticides to do the job themselves because they do fear our services are too expensive. From mothballs to baking soda, talcum powder to tea-tree oil... there's someone on the all-knowing internet promising us that it's a miracle cure. Some people are even suggesting dousing infested areas with rubbing alcohol (please don't turn your bed into a giant can of Sterno). What makes these products so inviting is the idea that they can save you a lot of money, that they are easy to use, and that they are just as effective as the ones that exterminators use (FYI…they're not.)
Like any DIY project, there's more than just the cost of materials to consider. Things like:
- The quality and effectiveness of the treatments.
- Cost of additional equipment (personal and furniture protective gear, clean-up materials, etc.)
- The value of your time, of course.
- The investment value of your home.
- Whether or not you have the skills/knowledge to do it right the first time.
- DIY cost and effort do not guarantee results.
- No insurance against damage to your property or belongings.
And, most importantly, of course - the stress and health risks to your family. Not only are they at risk from allergic reactions and infection from bites, but anxiety, sleeplessness, and even phobias. Not to mention possible reactions to unfamiliar or over sprayed chemicals.
When you factor these into the equation, it becomes clear that a better price doesn't necessarily equal the better value. As with many home remedies, a few of these can help in getting rid of some of your infestation, they rarely achieve 100% success...and when it comes to Bed Bugs, with their frightening speed of reproduction, it is literally all or nothing.
The truth is that most folks don't even realize that they have a Bed Bug issue for several days, by which time these little nasties can become an entrenched and rapidly growing army. One that must be defeated quickly and efficiently, before it can spread to the rest of your house.
Knowing where to look is another critical skill. Most people hear "Bed Bugs" and think, "Well, they must be in the bed." Bed Bugs are also happy to nest
in couches, headboards, stuffed animals, chair cushions, purses, coats, and even inside lamps, electrical outlets, computers, digital clocks and shoes. And, again, to avoid the risk of re-infestation, we know how to get them all.
As professional exterminators, we will locate the source of the infestation, formulate a targeted plan of treatment, use professional-grade products, and, with our training and experience, maximize the impact of the extermination. That's a good investment!
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How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Removing ants from your home can be challenging, and if not executed properly, it may exacerbate the issue and allow the colony to spread throughout your residence. Numerous over-the-counter pesticides are marketed for ant control, but they often fail to address the root cause of the infestation. What Lures Carpenter Ants Ants invade your home because they discover an environment that offers favorable conditions along with food and water sources. Typically, ants are drawn to moisture issues, particularly Carpenter Ants. Over time, the barriers that prevent moisture from penetrating the wood in your home deteriorate. Windowsills and door frames begin to degrade, caulking cracks, and moisture seeps into these areas. When wood moisture levels rise, it creates an inviting environment for various wood-destroying pests, including ants. Carpenter Ants utilize their mandibles to excavate the wood, creating nesting cavities. While they do not consume wood like termites , they can still inflict damage, including structural harm to your home if not addressed promptly. Black Carpenter Ants Ants, in general, are social insects, each fulfilling specific roles within their colony. They collaborate and share resources throughout their community. To effectively eliminate ants, it is crucial not to disrupt their activities but rather to provide them with something they recognize as food or a substance they cannot detect, which will spread throughout the colony and eradicate the source of the infestation. Carpenter Ants, in particular, can have multiple satellite colonies away from the main colony, depending on their level of establishment. The primary colony can be located up to 300 feet from a satellite colony, often found in decaying trees, logs, or nearby woodpiles. How to Treat Carpenter Ants – Mount Gilead, Ohio Many homeowners prefer to tackle these annoying pests on their own to save some money. While this might seem like a cost-effective choice, it can sometimes worsen the issue by embedding the problem deeper into your home, causing the colony to spread and divide. Many over-the-counter solutions, such as chemicals, essential oils, and vinegar, are designed to repel insects quickly, providing a temporary fix. This approach may push the ants out of sight, but it creates a repellant barrier that can lead to the ants splitting into two groups, allowing them to infiltrate untreated areas of your home. Consequently, this method fails to eliminate the source colony from which the ants originate. Liquid Ant Bait For minor ant infestations, using an over-the-counter borax ant bait can be an effective first step in the elimination process until a pest control expert can evaluate and address the issue properly. Ant baits are specifically designed to attract ants, which perceive them as food, and they subsequently distribute it throughout the colony. Borax ant baits offer a low-risk option to help prevent a larger infestation from developing. Control Carpenter Ants – Columbus, Ohio In the end, having ants in your home can pose a more significant problem than just the few visible in your kitchen or bathroom. Engaging a pest control professional like Restoration Pest Management, who can accurately diagnose and treat the infestation, is the most effective solution for long-term success . While homeowners can perform localized and spot treatments, a pest control expert will ensure your whole home is safeguarded against ant invasions both now and in the future. Contact Restoration Pest Management today at 614-204-8630 for your complimentary quote.
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