DIY Pest Control Myths That Are Making Your Pest Problem Worse in North MS

Pests can be a major problem here in the Mid-South. As a result, following pest control best practices is important for effectively keeping unwanted invaders at bay.

But when homeowners take matters into their own hands, or, worse, fall for pest control myths, it can be a major setback to their success.

Jump to Section

• What Are Some Common Pest Control Myths?
• Does DIY Pest Control Actually Work?
• What’s the Wrong Way to Approach Pest Control?
• Choosing Indoor & Outdoor Pest Control in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS

In this article, we’ll expose some of those common pest control myths that people tend to believe. We’ll also talk about why they might not be solving your pest control problem - or could be making it worse.

Avoiding common pest control mistakes can help keep you on track and ensure that your property is well-protected.

What Are Some Common Pest Control Myths?

Here are some of the common pest control myths out there, as well as what the truth actually is! Falling for some of these myths can lead to pest control mistakes, so you want to be wise.

MYTH: You only need professional pest control if you have an infestation

Reality: The truth is, by the time your property has reached infestation status, the problem is going to be both costly and difficult to control. You do NOT need to wait until your pest problem has become a full-blown infestation to choose professional pest control.

Choosing a proactive approach can prevent a small bug problem from becoming an infestation and is a much wiser strategy.

MYTH: DIY pest control can handle my problem

Reality: While some DIY pest control solutions do work, they’re often not powerful enough to be effective across a broader scale…or for a longer amount of time. Many DIY products wear off quickly, failing to provide the long-term coverage you want or need.

Products purchased at a store, such as pest control sprays, simply will not work as well as a professional-grade product. This might mean you need to apply more products and use more applications to achieve the same coverage that a professional could with less product and fewer applications.

Sometimes homeowners inadvertently make mistakes or take shortcuts that also limit the effectiveness of the products they’re using. This could include mixing a product incorrectly or applying it improperly.

MYTH: Pests are only a problem at “dirty” homes

Reality: Pests are attracted to homes for shelter and moisture. While it’s true that clutter gives pests a place to “hide,” and crumbs can be a food source, these are not the only two reasons why people end up with pests.

Pests will also forage for the tiniest of crumbs. So, even if you maintain a tidy kitchen and a neat home, they could still be finding food sources. Pests also commonly make their way into pantries and cupboards inside of peoples’ homes.

Unfortunately, pests are prevalent in our area, and once they're outside, they will constantly be looking for ways to get inside! Your home is a lot more comfortable than being outdoors, whether it’s clean or dirty. It’s certainly not just “dirty” homes that attract pests.

MYTH: If you don’t see bugs, you don’t have bugs

Reality: Unfortunately, not seeing bugs does not mean they aren’t already in your home. The average household is said to have around 100 different species of bugs living in it!

We know that freaks a lot of people out, but it’s the truth. Many of these are microscopic and will never be seen by the naked eye. But plenty are also everyday household pests like spiders, roaches, and more. However, even larger pests are excellent hiders.

Because of that, not seeing pests doesn’t mean they aren’t there!

Some common hiding spots for pests inside homes include bathroom sinks, under shelving, in the pantry, behind appliances, inside walls, and under boxes and items on the floor.

This goes back to the first pest control myth we debunked: you don’t have to call pest control until there’s an infestation. Getting pest control services can prevent pests in the first place, so you don’t have to wait to see them to get started.

MYTH: Once treated, the problem is solved

Reality: Unfortunately, effective pest control requires ongoing maintenance. There are constant changes that can lead to new pest life cycles. Even seasonal changes can bring new problems, as different pests thrive at different times.

If you want to keep your home free of pests, you must keep up with regular pest control services.

Does DIY Pest Control Actually Work?

Yes, some DIY pest control methods can be effective. In fact, we will make many recommendations to help make your pest control efforts even more successful.

While store-bought sprays and treatments are not highly effective (at least compared to what a professional can achieve), we do recommend taking some of these steps as part of pest control best practices.

Seal entry points: Pests often enter the home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and other unsealed holes or crevices. Making a point to seal up as many entry points as you can will play a vital role in keeping pests out.

Maintain a tidy landscape: Pests often take up residence in the landscaping around your home. While you can’t entirely prevent this, keeping things neat and tidy can help discourage excessive pest activity. Many pests prefer to be out of the open or in the shade. Therefore, things like keeping the shrubs trimmed and the grass cut can help keep pests out. You’ll definitely want to trim any branches back from touching the home, as these are sometimes a “bridge” for pests to take to your home.

Store food and vacuum crumbs: Pests are always on the hunt for food, so you’ll want to make an effort to vacuum crumbs and keep food stored in containers with lids to discourage pest activity.

Clear clutter: When pests do find their way inside, they tend to still look for hiding spaces. Getting items off the floor can take away some of these hiding zones. Even so, pests are sneaky and will hide in a variety of other places around your home, such as drains, under cabinets, in walls, and more.

Even with all of these efforts, pests often still find a way inside. That’s why nothing can completely replace investing in pest control in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS.

What’s the Wrong Way to Approach Pest Control?

There are several things we’d say are the wrong way to approach pest control, and they align with the pest control myths we just debunked.  

Here are a few wrong approaches to dealing with pests.

Only treating what you see: As we’ve mentioned, you don’t have to visibly see bugs to have them. But if you are just spraying bugs when you see them around your home, you’re not doing anything to impact the greater issue. You’re just getting a quick, temporary fix. But colonies and breeding grounds are likely still active around your property.

Being reactive instead of proactive: Waiting until there is already a problem (as we talked about in our section on pest control myths) is also the wrong approach to dealing with pests. Once an infestation occurs, it can be costly and even difficult to treat. It makes a lot more sense to try to prevent problems from getting serious in the first place.

Failing to target prime habitats: If you aren’t taking a thoughtful and targeted approach to pest control, you probably aren’t getting great results. At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we create a customized treatment plan that targets any existing pests already inside the home.

Then, when we move outside the home, our technicians will sweep up to 12 feet and apply an insecticide barrier around the home's foundation to knock down lurking spiders and create a protective layer that prevents pests from coming inside in the first place.

Assuming a one-size-fits-all approach will take care of everything: Different pests are controlled differently, and failing to recognize this can negatively impact your results. Roaches, for example, are best controlled with products they need to consume or come into contact with.

A barrier spray or a fast-acting spray provides immediate effects but no long-term control. It’s important that your pest control program includes a range of products and pest control techniques that target different pests and in different ways, for maximum effectiveness against ALL pests. 

Choosing Indoor & Outdoor Pest Control in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS

You have choices when it comes to pest control in Tupelo, Oxford, and New Albany, MS. Be sure to do your research and look for a company that you feel confident has your best interest at heart.

When searching for the best pest control, Lawn & Pest Solutions wants to be at the top of your list. We love helping homeowners like you who just want some peace of mind in their own home! We can help ensure that common pest-control mistakes are avoided and that effective solutions are implemented.

At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we offer a full array of professional pest control and lawn care services. This means you don’t have to deal with two companies for these services; you can have one point of contact to call and another to handle these issues.

At the end of the day, we want to help you achieve peace of mind so you don’t have to stress about pests lurking around your home.

Ready to learn why Lawn & Pest Solutions could be your choice for the best pest control services for your home and landscape in Tupelo, Oxford or New Albany, MS? We’d love to learn more about you. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we can prepare a customized plan perfect for you and your home.