When confronted with a pest infestation, many property owners will try to deal with the problem on their own. If you are reading this, you may be in the same predicament. Perhaps financial reasons or time restraints have you looking into do-it-yourself pest control? Laredo pest control often revolves around rodents, spiders, and stinging insects.
The most common rodents to infest Laredo properties are mice and rats. Rodents are commensal pests, meaning they prefer to live among humans to take advantage of our food and shelter. Mice are roughly two to three inches long. They are covered in fine, usually gray, hairs. Rats are three times the size of their mouse cousins. Their bodies are covered in brown hair, while their tails remain hairless. Both mice and rats are excellent jumpers and climbers. These rodents are notorious for chewing virtually anything to make their nests and find food. Additionally, mice and rats are prolific breeders, and thus, their infestations proliferate.
The bald-faced hornet is one of the most common stinging insects in Texas to invade Laredo homes. Bald-faced hornets are large wasps, identifiable by their yellow and black bodies juxtaposed against white faces. They live within social colonies numbering in the hundreds. Bald-faced hornets create nests made of chewed plant fibers; these nests are built in trees, light posts, and eaves.
Lastly, common house spiders prefer to live indoors. They are a nuisance pest with the ability to produce a massive amount of spiderwebs around your home. Additionally, a single female house spider can lay several thousand eggs in its lifetime. House spiders are typically yellow or brown with oblong bodies and long legs.
What Not To Do When Attempting DIY Pest Control
With the varied types of pests that can invade your Laredo property, DIY pest control can prove challenging. If you are attempting DIY pest control, be mindful to read all instructions before using a chemical. Ignoring instructions can cause a lot of harm to you or your pets.
Tips To Deter Home Pests In Laredo
The best form of pest control is prevention. Some preventative tips include:
- Do not allow your lawn to become overgrown.
- Keep trash covered in cans with secure lids.
- Avoid standing water in and around the home.
- Keep firewood stored at least 20 feet away from the side of the house.
- Keep food stored in airtight containers.
- Wipe up spills and crumbs right away.
- Sweep, vacuum, mop, and dust often.
- Maintain insect screens.
- Install a chimney cap.
- Seal cracks and holes with a silicone-based caulk.
These tips are not all-encompassing, but they are a great place to start for the savvy property owner.
The Pros and Cons Of DIY Pest Control
DIY home pest control may have some benefits for small-scale problems. Some pros include affordability and complete control of where chemicals are applied. However, there is no denying that the cons outweigh the pros. You are not a pest control professional; therefore, DIY treatments can be risky. If do-it-yourself pest control is done incorrectly, you could cause the infestation to go into hiding, harm the people and animals on the property, and the costs could pile up if re-treatments are needed.
Professional Pest Control Is The Best Way To Keep Your Home Pest-Free
Professional pest control is your best bet to guarantee that pests are safely and effectively removed from your Laredo property. Expert residential pest control near you, such as EnviroGuard, can provide guaranteed success. We offer years of experience, tailored treatments, and licensed technicians. For peace of mind, let EnviroGuard take care of your pest control needs.