Unless you have a horrible infestation of biblical proportions, you can probably save some dough and do it yourself. Everyday, pest control, like controlling mosquitoes, eliminating fleas, and warding off rats and mice, can be done by you for significant savings.
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Applying your own pesticides can save you up to 75% versus using a professional.
Mosquitoes
When that warm rainy season comes around, the mosquitoes come rolling in like they own the joint.
Start with some prevention. Keep your rain gutters clear of water and keep unused birdbaths empty.
If you’re a green type and have a rain barrel, install a drip oil can. These cans keep a thin layer of oil over the top of the water, preventing mosquitoes from laying their eggs and drowning existing larvae.
Next, to kill and prevent mosquitoes, use a chemical called cyzmic. This can be safely applied to plants, lawns, and shrubs—but avoid vegetable plants. You can get up to 60 applications out of a bottle that costs about $50.
Fleas
The first thing to do is make sure your pets are protected from fleas. Use a monthly flea prevention product prescribed by your vet and lasts for one month per application.
To prevent them from invading your home, use a flea spray and apply it to the outside of your house by the doors, on the lawn, and against the house. Inside, cover the floors, baseboards, and corners and wait for the product to dry before stepping on the floor.
Mice
There isn’t a more disgusting invader to your house. If you find traces of mice, no matter how small, jump immediately on the problem. It’s important to remember that mice can fit through spaces as small as a nickel, so look for common entry areas for mice: around drains, under sinks, where mortar is loose, and around weather stripping.
Make sure these types of places are well sealed. Under the sinks, use steel wool to plug up holes; the coarse, fine hairs are unbearable to mice.
Things like peppermint oil and mothballs are said to deter mice, but if you want to be really sneaky, go to a pet store and ask for dried snake poo and place it outside the house where the mice are entering. This will make them think there’s a snake roaming about waiting for a snack.
Of course, if your infestation has gotten to those aforementioned biblical proportions, call a professional like Fox Valley Environmental Pest Control in Aurora, IL to help you take care of the problem.
They’ve been servicing the area with dependable pest control services since 1990 and have developed a highly reputable name as a trusted, locally owned and operated business that offers quality services, ending with superior results.
Pest control can be a very easy DIY project. Remember to wear proper protection when applying chemicals and always assess the risk when you have small children or pets running around. Start with prevention and your extermination efforts will be significantly smaller.
This article uses information from Fox Valley Environmental Pest Control.
Anica Oaks
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Regarding the mosquitoes, what is your view about those electric devices which is used to get rid of mosquitoes. I have one of them but did not get any good result. 🙁