Pest Control 101: How to Protect Your Home Against Pests | HTH 011

How to Home Podcast

This week, Pat Copps from Orkin Pest Control joins Aaron and Tracy to discuss all things creepy-crawly. We’ll talk about the best methods of prevention, how to recognize a pest infestation in your home, and which products are the safest and most effective to remove any unwanted visitors.

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

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FAST FACTS:

- Over 56% of homeowners have had a problem with ants in the last year

- A single flea can lay up to 25 eggs per day while a single rat can have up to 84 offspring per year

- Termites cause an estimated $5 Billion of structural damage per year

- Many pests including rats, mice, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks can carry potentially deadly or life-threatening illnesses

TIPS:

- 20 percent of household fires are caused by rodents.

- Focus on prevention: keep trees and shrubs trimmed and house sealed up.

- Expanding foam isn’t Pat’s favorite because pests can chew through it, he suggests an epoxy product.

- Keep standing water clean and flowing. Mosquitos love humidity.

- Pick up pet food after they’ve eaten.

- Be mindful of what you’re planning and what kind of pests they attract.

- Cockroaches and rodents love cardboard.

- Rats attract other rats.

- Use a screen with the proper sized mesh.

- Don’t wait until your issue gets huge to call in a professional.

- Stains on the seams of a mattress or box spring might indicate bed bugs.

SAFETY:

- Stay away using products if you don’t have to. Try cleaning up the area first if you only see a few ants etc.

- For a children’s structure like a playhouse a vacuum cleaner is a great tool without using chemicals. Also check on irrigation and shrubs surrounding it.

- Don’t put bug sprays into the wrong container (not clearly labeled), and store things in a locked cabinet.

- Pat doesn’t recommend keeping unused pesticides sitting around.

DIY TOOLS:

- Flashlight

- Multi tool to open up cabinet or vent

- Sealant for small openings or holes

PHONE CALLS/SOCIAL:

Q: Traps aren’t working on my rats, but I’m afraid with poison they’ll die in the walls. What should I do?

A: Pat recommends calling in a professional so they can put cameras in the walls etc and determine where the rats are. Based on that, they may change up traps or trap locations.

Q: Is it true that bed bugs don’t bite people with alcohol in their bloodstream?

A: No….

Q: Are there any considerations for people who live in apartments?

A: If you see something, let the property manager know- they usually have a service agreement with a pest company.

Q: Sometimes I feel like I feel a bug on my skin and it’s not there. Are small dust mites common?

A: It’s possible, but it could be a number of things.

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