Debunking The Common Myths About Pest Control

A myth is a commonly held, but false belief or idea. Although myths may seem to be true, they are more often exaggerations, misunderstandings, or outright lies. There are many myths about pests and pest management, some quite unbelievable and some almost unbelievable. Here are 10 of the most popular myths about pest control.

Pest Control Myths

1. Bees can only sting once

This is a familiar tale. Once a bee has stung you once, it won’t do it again. This myth is partially true. Only honeybees can sting once. There are many other varieties of bees like wasps and hornets. They can sting as many as they like. Be prepared, just because you have been stung once does not mean that there won’t be more.

2. Bees will only attack if they are provoked

Another common myth that you may have heard is that a bee won’t harm you if it doesn’t get in your way. This is again false. If they feel threatened, bees, yellow jackets, and hornets will sting them. It could be as simple as being too close to their nest. You can safely remove a nest from your home or hire a pest control company to do it.

3. The Cleanest House Will Keep the Bugs Out

Despite popular belief, keeping your home clean is not enough to keep unwelcome pests away from Myrtle Beach dwellings. It takes more than a pristine environment – shelter, food, and water must also be taken into consideration when it comes to pest control in Myrtle Beach. To ensure pesky critters remain at bay for good, homeowners should focus on sealing entry points as well as maintaining their living space tidy!

4. Seeing A Cockroach Means Your House Is Dirty

This myth is very similar to #3. Cockroaches will enter your home to seek shelter and food. They will often find them in dirty homes, but they are also able to find them in clean ones. It can be very difficult to eradicate cockroach infestations once they have established themselves. They can get in through an opening as small as a quarter. It is important to seal any entry points.

5. Only dawn and dusk are the best times to see mosquitoes

Another myth is this one, which is partly true. While some mosquito species are more active in the morning and evening, others can be active all day long as the food is available. It is best to use mosquito prevention techniques whenever you are outdoors.

6. Bug Zappers Can Eliminate Mosquitoes

This is flatly false. To attract insects to their cages, bug zappers emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Because mosquitoes don’t like UV light, they won’t be near the bug-zapper. The power of bug zappers is not usually sufficient to kill all the insects they attract so they can also have an adverse effect on the insect population in your home.

7. Mice Love Cheese

This one is something we’ve all seen in a story, or on TV. Although mice will eat crumbs from almost any food, cheese is not their first choice. They prefer foods high in sugar, such as peanut butter, honey, and candy. Peanut butter or chocolate are good choices for a mousetrap.

8. You can get rid of bed bugs with DIY techniques

Once they have established an infestation, bed bugs can be difficult to eradicate. They are small and come out at night to feed, so they can be difficult to find and identify. They can multiply quickly and infest structures very quickly. They are very difficult to eliminate on your own and require professional pest control treatment from in most cases.

9. Termites Can’t Damage Brick Or Concrete Slab Homes

Despite popular belief, termites can still wreak havoc on a brick or concrete structure. They may not consume the material directly, but they have no qualms about tunneling through it to get at their tasty wood targets beneath! Left unchecked, these pest predators pose serious risks of long-term structural damage in many homes today.

10. If you don’t see any bugs, they aren’t there

You may not see bugs or damage, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t around. Termites or carpenter ants can cause significant damage over several months before visible signs become apparent. Most infestations are already established and can be detected before serious damage occurs. They are difficult to detect and can often be overlooked, but they leave a trail of destruction.

Although many pest control myths are false, it is important to remember that prevention is the best way to prevent pest infestations. Contact a professional pest control company like Zap Pest Control Inc. to identify the problem and eradicate it.