Casting Light on Common Pest Myths

When it comes to pests and pest control, there are many myths and misconceptions. This misinformation is very misleading and sometimes hazardous, so we’re here to help you sort the fact from fiction. 

The Twin-Boro team have put together a comprehensive list of myths and are here to inform you of the realities of pests and pest control in your home or business. 

Myth 1: Your home or business must be unsanitary if you have pests

The Facts: This is one of the biggest misconceptions regarding pests. Pests will enter a building, any building, in search of food, shelter and water. A clean building is able to offer these things just as much as a dirty one. However, dirty areas in a building do make it easier for pests to find what they are foraging for, keeping them on the premises for longer. But the point is: clean buildings and homes are just as susceptible to these infestations. 

Myth 2: You don’t have pests if you don’t see pests

The Facts: Of course, not seeing pests in your home or office is a good thing, but this doesn’t mean you aren’t free of them. Pests are sneaky creatures and are experts at finding hiding places and typically don’t want to inform you that they are around. What usually alerts home and business owners to pests is what they tend to leave behind. Pests usually show themselves by leaving behind droppings or damaging items. These clues can also be hard to notice – depending on the size of your infestation and the size of the pests themselves. With this in mind, many pests such as ants and termites go unnoticed for long periods of time because they are tiny. This is why it’s important that you take preventative measures and regularly check for ant signs of pests so that they can be eliminated sooner than later. If you are unsure of what to look for, our team of professionals will inform you of all the signs and answer any questions you may have. 

Myth 3: Mice are drawn to cheese

The Facts: Unlike their cartoon counterparts, real mice don’t gravitate toward cheese like it’s the be-all and end-all. Of course, mice will eat cheese, but only if it’s their only option. Mice actually prefer sweet or fatty foods like cookies, peanut butter and meat. They also gravitate toward good nesting materials, so if you are setting up a trap, don’t fill it with cheese, rather use feathers or straw. 

Myth 4: Brick and concrete buildings keep termites away

The Facts: Not even concrete and brick is immune to troublesome termite infestations. Termites, despite their small size, are capable of scaling across various materials, including concrete and brick, in their search for wood. While they may not directly damage the concrete or brick itself, their ability to navigate these surfaces enables them to reach the wooden structures within your home or building. Once they find their target, the damage caused by termites can become considerable. Understanding these interesting facts about termites highlights the importance of early detection and effective termite prevention measures to safeguard your property from their destructive tendencies.

Myth 5: Mosquitoes are only active at dawn and dusk

The Facts: Mosquitoes are mostly seen at these hours but they can stay active throughout the day. They will remain active if there is a food source available and the weather isn’t too unforgiving. This is why it’s important that you take precautions and prevention to avoid mosquito bites everytime you go outside – at any time of the day.

Myth 6: Insurance covers all pest damage

The Facts: Most insurance policies will list pest damage under exclusions so make sure to check your policy thoroughly before making a decision. If you haven’t been properly covered for pests, then make sure to get regular inspections and take preventative measures. Speak to the Twin-Boro team and we will help you through these processes. 

Myth 7: DIY pest control works just as well as professional pest control

The Facts: DIY methods mostly put a SMALL bandaid on a larger wound – leaving most of the problem untreated. DIY methods will only help you get rid of the pests you can see and won’t get rid of the nests or large colonies. This means they will keep showing up and you will keep having to repeat your process. Mousetraps are the perfect example of this. With a mousetrap in place, you will only be rid of individual mice but the colony itself will continue to spread throughout your residence or building. The same can be said for pouring boiling water down an anthill. This tactic will only get rid of the ants at the top of the hill and won’t reach the queen or her eggs. Professional pest control will get rid of the pests you see as well as the infestation, prevent future pest problems and damage. 

Myth 8: One service will get rid of the problem

The Facts: Pests are called pests for a reason and infestations don’t usually get completely eradicated after one treatment or service. It usually takes a few of these before the infestation is completely removed.

Myth 9: Professional pest control is harmful and hazardous

The Facts: This is one of the biggest misconceptions around pest control. Pests are way more dangerous than pest control and we take pride in our ability to offer you safe pest control services. The Twin-Boro team of professionals are knowledgeable and highly experienced, ensuring you and your family are safe at all times. 

In Summary

We hope that this myth-busting list has provided you with some insight into any questions you may have regarding pest control. If you have any more questions or are looking for professional pest control services, give our experienced team a call today.