Why is Pest Identification Important in Pest Control?

Pest Identification – Why is it So Important Anyway?

First things first, we’re going to be taking a look at why identifying pests is so important in the first place.

• We may have already mentioned this, but it’s a big deal. Very simply, it’ll make your life a lot easier, and your method of extermination more effective.
• It’ll save you time and money. Whether that be spending money on a bug zapper, or actually hiring a professional exterminator, these things can end up expensive – and if they don’t work then it’s a waste of money altogether.
• There are pest identification pages outline for you to check out.

So really, it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to find out exactly what your pest problem is, should it?

Makes Sense. So, How Can I Actually Identify a Pest Myself?

We know we’ve said that there are guides available online that will help you to decipher exactly what your pest problem may be, but today, we want to make things a little easier for you, by giving you our top tips on how to identify the pest at hand.

So for the sake of an example, today, we are going to be giving you a fully inclusive guide on how best to identify bugs, in order to ensure you’re using the best possible method to get rid of them.

STEP NUMBER ONE: Get a Closer Look.

• The first step in correctly identifying the creepy crawly invading your home or garden, is to have a closer look at one. This can be done easily through a good bug magnifier. There are a range of these available to buy online, all of which vary in price.
• Following this, you should be sure to make a note of any particularly noticeable characteristics of the pest you are studying.
• Some of the key things to look for, are the shape, colour, size, and number of legs that your pesky little pest has.
• As well as this, you should check whether or not the creature has wings or antenna.
• If you were to do this with a small rodent, then you would want to look at their size, colour, tail, nose length and so on.

STEP NUMBER TWO: It’s Research Time!

• So, you’ve already gotten a closer look at your home invader. Now, you have to take the time to do some research on what you’ve found.
• There are some websites available online where you can look up pest characteristics, and compare them to the experiences of others.
• One of the most effective ways of doing this, would be to go on a website that contains images of the kind of pest you’re looking at – in this case, it would be bugs.
• Very simply, look for a description which matches the characteristics of the bug you have studied. Then get a thumbnail image up of similarly described creepy crawlies, and compare them to what you’ve found.
• Go with the one that resembles the pest you have studied yourself the most closely.

STEP NUMBER THREE: Do Some Reading.

• Whether or not you’re an avid researcher, the next logical step is, without doubt, to start doing some reading on the bug which most closely resembles what it is you’ve found in your home or garden.
• There are some great insect identification books available to buy online. However, alternatively, you could very simply look it up online. The joys of the internet!
• It might not be a riveting thriller novel, but be thorough in your reading. Look up the characteristics of the pest in question, its habits, and its typical habitat.
• You should also be sure to learn about what threats they pose, so that you can assess how immediate and rigorous your reaction to them should be.
• You should also look at what the key methods of control and prevention are, as cited by the experts.

STEP NUMBER FOUR: Decide on a Plan of Action

• By now, you should have enough certainty and knowledge about the pest in question to know how urgent taking the next step is.
• In some cases, you may be able to simply go online or to your local garden / homeware store, and pick up an appropriate device or solution to your infestation problem.
• However, in other cases, it might be that you actually have to get in touch with a pest professional in order to get rid of them from your space, once and for all.
• Some problems are best solved by the professionals, as you don’t want them to get worse, do you?

Still Unsure?

If after all of this you are still unsure on the identity of the pest in question, and what your next steps should be, then try doing the following:

• Look at other pests and insects and identify whether or not you may have made a mistake initially. In further research, you might find something better suited.
• Contact a pest control professional. It’s literally their job to be able to identify the pesky creatures that lurk in homes and gardens, so what better way to be sure about what you’re seeing?
• Remember that a pest control company will also have access, not only to the best educated staff members, but also top of the range equipment.
• They’ll also have all of the resources available to them to help them to thoroughly identify what the pest is, and what the best course of action is, once and for all.

Why is the Right Method of Pest Control So Important?

We made it clear from the outset, that the main reason why the identification of the pest in question is important, is because it’ll allow you – or an extermination / removal professional – to use the most effective method against them.

But why is it so important to get the method right first time?

Read on to find out more about why using the right method of control, of the right pest, is so important.

1. The Health of You and Your Family

You might think, well it’s just a bug. What harm can it do? However, you’d be surprised at the ways in which pest infestations can negatively impact the health of both you, and the family who you live with.

• Pest are typically dirty, and very much promote the spread of disease.
• It might surprise you to hear that a vast array of common household pests – such as cockroaches, bed bugs, ticks, rats, and mice can actually spread disease through their saliva, as well as their faeces.
• Getting rid of these pests from the inside of your home will automatically create a healthier environment in which you and your family can live.

2. Your Overall Safety

You might think that pests are very simply that – pests. However, in some varieties, they can be unsafe to have in your living environment.

• For example, bees can sting, and rodents can bite if they feel as if they are threatened by your presence.
• If you have an ongoing issue with rodents such as mice, rats, and bats, then this risk becomes even more prevalent.

In some cases, you could even be at risk of contracting rabies. Back in 2015, statistics showed us that there were 5,000 cases of rabies that had been reported.

3. The Physical Condition of Your Home

This might sound a tad dramatic, but whether you’re house proud and like to keep everything just so, or even just try to keep mess and needed repairs to the bare minimum, remember that pests can actually have a negative impact on the physical condition of your home.

• Rodents will chew things that they aren’t supposed to, which could ultimately damage and lower the value of your home. Not great, especially if you’re planning on selling up soon.
• Furthermore, if they do chew through wires and electrical, that can increase the risk of fire hazards in your home. Especially if you don’t know about them.
• Holes in the ceilings and insulation of your home can also cause issues and cost a lot of money to put right.
• You also will not be able to put your home on the market and sell it successfully, until you have taken care of your pest problem. That’s the top and bottom of it. That might not impact you directly right now, but you don’t know what the future holds.

4. They’ll Worsen Your Allergies

If you have an allergy sufferer in the house, then a pest infestation will only make their symptoms worsen.

• There are over 50 million people around the globe who suffer with allergies. Particularly at this time of year.
• Your own home is meant to be a safe haven from the things that make us feel bad, so the last thing you want is having a pest infestation rife and worsening your allergies.
• This is especially the case for those with respiratory problems, such as asthma.
• Specifically the droppings of pests can be unhealthy when it comes to allergies.

The Main Benefits of Identifying and Controlling Pests Correctly

Last of all, but by no means least, we are going to list the benefits to identifying pests correctly, and controlling them using this information.

1. Keeping Your Home Disease – Free

Of course, keeping your home disease free is without doubt one of the biggest perks to ensuring your home is free of pesky pests.

• Diseases can be spread to you and your family members through the droppings of these pests, as we mentioned before.
• Not having pest decreases the risk of you or your family contracting diseases significantly.
• Think about it, you don’t want to be constantly watching your children – and even your pets – in the house, because you’re worried that they’ll pick something up, do you?

It’s just common sense, isn’t it?

2. Keeping Your Home Stable

It’s surprising just how much pests can have an impact on the overall structure of your property.

• When we say “stable”, we mean quite literally.
• Let’s take termites and certain varieties of ants, for example. They can actually damage the structural foundations of your home – and that’s extremely pricy and difficult to put right.
• Preventing an infestation in the first place is the best way of taking care of one – so be vigilant.

3. Reducing the Allergy Levels in Your Home

As we mentioned above, pests can trigger allergies. Therefore having them in the home is likely to increase allergy levels – especially if you’re already a sufferer.

• This isn’t only irritating to live with, but can be dangerous too.
• It can badly effect those with respiratory issues such as asthma.
• It’ll make your home all round more comfortable to live in.

Thank you for reading today! We hope we’ve helped you to better understand the ways in which identification and appropriate action against pests is so important.