NJ Pest Control Misconceptions

Learn 3 Costly Pest Control Misconceptions in NJ

Misconception #1: You should wait as long as possible before you have your home professionally treated for bugs.

False. Pests multiply rapidly. Every time you see a pest (a cockroach, for example) there are approximately 20 in hiding.

Pests quickly turn into a breeding frenzy. Many pests reproduce egg sacks that contain numerous eggs. For instance, the cockroach lays an egg sack containing approximately 15 to 30 baby cockroaches. These baby cockroaches reproduce in as little as two weeks. A pest infested home will continually become more infested as long as the problem is unaddressed. Over the counter, sprays and pesticides may help slightly, but will not resolve the issue by themselves. As more time elapses before treating, the more those pests will multiply and the more difficult it will be to eliminate the issue.

Misconception #2: The only reason to have your home treated for pests is to get rid of visible bugs.

This is also false. As you know, for every pest you see there are multiple pests hiding. If you have one type of pest in your home, it’s likely your home is a good breeding ground for other types of pests as well. Not surprisingly, those pests build colonies and nurseries in between your walls, underneath your home, in cracks and crevices you can’t see.

Some of these pests can be poisonous and potentially dangerous. Even if you currently haven’t seen one of these pests, they can climb in your shoes, crawl into your clothing, or hide in your bed sheets and surprise one of your loved ones with a venomous bite or sting.

What about pests you hardly ever see? Termites are one example. Termites cause 5 billion dollars worth of damage in the United States every year. They remain in hidden voids. You need a certified technician to identify and show you where a potential termite infestation may manifest. And don’t forget about Carpenter Ants. They are also very dangerous to your home. These ants, much like termites, destroy wooden structures. Again, ask for a certified technician to inspect your structure to be sure you are protected against this type of infestation.

What about rodents and the Deadly Hantavirus?

The Hantavirus, known to some areas in the United States, has killed people without any bite. However, it is uncommon. Ask your pest control technician if you’re at risk. The Hantavirus is a deadly, highly contagious disease spread through deer mouse droppings (you may have heard about this on news segments). Additionally, rodents frequently chew electrical wires thus causing a potential fire hazard. There are also numerous other rodents that can spread disease just as dangerous and highly contagious as Hantavirus. It’s best to use consistent prevention and to take care of a rodent problem immediately.

So in addition to getting rid of visible-crawling pests, another important reason to manage the pests in your home is to get rid of venomous, destructive and disease infected pests that can harm your family.

Misconceptions #3: One method of pest control extermination is as good as another.

This is also FALSE. It would be quite easy to choose a pest control company, or pest control method if this were the case, but this is not true. Professional Pest Control companies should be certified by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In addition, they should have a yearly license renewal and keep updated with the latest technology. In many ways, that certification is like a degree in pest control. Ask to see your pest control companies’ credentials and certification. This certification cannot be purchased. It has to be earned through hours of education, testing, and schooling.

A certified technician in pest control eliminates pests much more thoroughly than a non-certified pest control exterminator technician. They are trained to use the correct type of materials for each type of pest problem. In addition, they are professionally trained to eliminate pests from the hidden areas that are virtually impossible to reach unless they are a trained and certified professional. Our company uses certified, trained, and licensed pest control technicians. We do thorough pre-screening of all applicants, such as illegal-drug testing and criminal background checks.

What about Do-It-Yourself Methods in Pest Control?

You can purchase over the counter pesticides. Some of the over the counter pesticides use products with ingredients and chemicals that merely attack the nervous system of the bug. But once these products dry, their effectiveness is completely gone. The only bugs that it will affect are those who have direct contact while it’s wet. So, when you spray (for instance) a cockroach, or two, they will die but the 20 or 40 in hiding can very well be unharmed, alive and multiplying rapidly.

Some people ask if the cockroach carries this chemical back to the nest of other cockroaches to kill them off. Many of these products don’t work that way. In fact, if the cockroach makes it back to the nesting area, but the product has dried on its body, it will not affect any other cockroach even if it returns to the others.

When using pesticides on ants, you can make the problem worse. If you spray an anthill, for instance, the “live” ants carry a signal back to the colony. The ants spread into satellite colonies. Thus, the anthills are spread into numerous anthills.

There are also industrial strength pesticides which can be purchased from janitorial supply stores and other industrial retail locations. The problem with this is some chemicals leave a toxic residue that can remain poisonous for years. This is a tremendous threat to loved ones and pets. In addition, some pesticides will not be the right prescription for your pest problem. They can also cause allergic and respiratory reactions if you're unaware of the active-ingredient of product you’re using. So the possibility is that you may not eliminate the pests and the toxic residue may remain in your home for years to come, potentially harming those you love.

The most effective way to treat your home is with a certified, pest control technician. Ask to see their credentials.

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