Time to die for spiders, ants and wasps
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This story is brought to you by LawnTech, a leading specialist for tree care, lawn care and landscaping in eastern Idaho.
With the warmer temperatures of spring comes increased insect and spider activity. And that means pest control. But there is so much out there about pest control it can be hard to decipher the fact from the fiction. So here are three general things to remember when controlling pests, whether you do it yourself or with a professional pest control company.
Nothing lasts forever
One thing that many people forget is that nothing lasts forever, especially treatments for pests. When applied outdoors, an application is only effective until it is broken down or washed away by weather. Many professional-grade products are more resilient than at-home varieties, but they still only have an effective life of six to eight weeks at most.
This time may be enough if you only see a lot of activity in a certain part of the season, but if you see insects and spiders all season long, you will need follow-up applications to maintain the barrier.
Control isn’t the same as extermination
Pest control companies now talk about control instead of using the work “exterminate,” which was popular in years past. “Exterminate” suggests that everything will be gone, which just isn’t a realistic expectation with nature. No matter your chosen pest-control method, there is still a chance that a spider or two will make it past all the defenses. 100 percent control isn’t usually possible because there are so many variables.
But you can greatly reduce how many insects or spiders you see. You can keep them from building nests in areas and keep most of them from getting into your home.
Stay within your comfort zone
When it comes to using insecticides, herbicides and other chemicals, you should only do things yourself if you are comfortable with it. Read labels before you purchase and if you do not understand the instructions or warnings on the label it may be better for you to hire a professional. Professional applicators are licensed by the state and should receive regular training each year on the latest pests and guidelines.
Reputable companies will also have uniformed technicians and be able to provide paperwork showing they are properly licensed and insured for the work they are performing on your property.
However you choose to do it, though, now is the time to make sure pests know that your home is off limits.