Don’t Get Fooled This April: 5 Pest Control Myths

Did you get tricked by an April Fool’s joke this year? We’re sure a lot of people did. This April, we want to ensure no one is tricked by false pest information that could cause foolish pest control decisions. Check out these five common pest control myths below.

The best way to attract mice to a mouse trap is by using a hunk of cheese. This message, reinforced by dozens of cartoons over many decades, isn’t entirely true. Mice would rather eat food with a high level of sugar in it. Rather than cheese, bits of cereal, cookies, sugar cubes or peanut butter would be more enticing to mice.

My house is clean, so it couldn’t have bed bugs. This myth, unfortunately, can cause a lot of homeowners to drop their guard and become susceptible to bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are attracted to places where sources of their food – blood – is available, and it does not matter whether the residence is clean or dirty. The only reason a dirty household would be more susceptible to a massive bed bug infestation would be due to clutter hiding early warning signs of a pest control problem.

My cat will be all the rodent control I’ll need. Truth is, domesticated cats aren’t always interested in being your pest control technician. While they may chase mice and catch one occasionally out of a playful spirit, household cats don’t always see mice as a threat that they need to eliminate. Mice can avoid your pets by traveling on surfaces and in spaces your pets cannot reach, and are more likely to be attracted to your home by your pets food and droppings than frightened away by a playful cat.

I don’t see a pest control issue, so I don’t have one. Not being able to see a giant outbreak of pest issues might be comforting to some, but it isn’t enough to feel that your pest control situation is well-managed. Many pests such as termites and carpenter ants can do quite a bit of damage to the interior spaces of your walls and the structure of your house before pest issue signs are obvious. Proper inspection of your house on a regular basis is the best way of preventing pest issues from the beginning. Speak to a pest control technician to determine how often your property should be inspected.

I don’t need technicians or store-bought sprays, because I bought an ultrasonic repeller. Ultrasonic devices are designed to use ultra-high frequency sound waves the sellers suggest chase away all kinds of pests. These devices are made available by many retailers and have been sold for decades, but the Federal Trade Commission has warned manufacturers repeatedly that their products and sales materials must be supported by scientific evidence. There is very little evidence to suggest ultrasonic waves drive pest issues away, either temporarily or permanently. Stick with pest control professionals to make sure you get the job done correctly, without wasting time or money.

Not sure if something is a myth or true, or need a pest management technician to visit your home or property? Contact Catseye Pest Control today!