10 Pest Control Myths That Are Doing More Harm Than Good

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There’s a lot of myths about pest control, and good well intended advice can sometimes cause you more harm than good. Some of these tips may seem logical or one generation old, but a majority of these are not scientific. Common pest control myths actually provide people with a false sense of security.

Centers for Pest Management suggests that if you really want to keep pests at bay you have to know fact from fiction. With that in mind, here are some of these pest control myths are actually serving us more harm than good. Following these tips can help you stay on top of your home pest fight.

Clean Homes Don’t Have Pests

A myth that I hear frequently is that pests are only attracted to dirty homes. Cleaning does reduce the appeal but it’s not a failsafe solution. Food and water sources attract pests like cockroaches and ants, and while a clean home may not have a lot of places pests can hide and sneak in, there’s still plenty of access points for pests. The safest place on earth is still a home, yet even the most spotless aren’t free from a rare critter from time to time — a reminder that a good preventive fix doesn’t have to involve cleaning alone.

Mice Love Cheese

Scents Mice Absolutely Detest—Keep Your Home Mouse-Free for Good! — Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos via pixabay

That mice can’t resist cheese is an idea we have been drilled since cartoons. The thing is, though: Cheese isn’t a mouse’s first choice. Mice practically love foods high in sugar, such as grains, seeds, and even peanut butter. When trying to catch a mouse, put away the cheese and opt for a dollop of peanut butter, or seeds, instead.

DIY Pest Control is Effective!

They’re great for smaller infestations, but not good for larger ones. It’s the belief that a ward of some store bought spray and a few traps will eliminate the problem that most people have, but professional pest control services utilize specialized approaches and treatments that are much more successful. DIY attempt at a big infestation can make the problem even worse allowing the pests to spread more.

Pets Can Keep Pests Away

Cats and dogs may get a bug here and there but they sure wouldn’t be an effective pest control solution. In reality, some pests — fleas and ticks, for example — latch onto your pets and hop a free ride into your home. Pets can scare some pests just by being there, but realistically they’re not a good reliable means of completely eliminating pests and if we rely too heavily on them then we can develop a bigger pest issue down the road.

Ants Die Instantly When Boiled

Boiling water on an anthill doesn’t necessarily kill all of the ants, but it is, at best, a short-term, and sometimes ineffective way to do so. One of the reasons is that most of the ants in the colony live far beneath the boiling water. Second, this method can destroy plants or grass nearby the anthill. Typically with effective ant control you go after the queen and all the workers by using baits they bring back to the colony.

Bed Bugs Are Only Found in Beds

Not surprisingly, bed bugs aren’t limited to beds. These little pests can hide in basically anywhere; things like your furniture, curtains, carpets and even in the electrical outlets. It can also mean not taking into account other important areas of infestation altogether. There are many ways to hide, and they can find almost every nook and cranny to hide in, so a thorough inspection of every bit of space imaginable is needed to get rid of them.

Natural Remedies Are Always Safe

Natural isn’t always safe, or effective. For example, some people are fans of essential oils that act as pest repellents, but these oils can be toxic to pets or children, and they probably won’t affect all pests. Over time, using natural remedies without recognizing their boundaries is really akin to being in a false sense of security. Safer more targeted treatments were used by professional pest control experts that don’t put your home’s health at risk.

Pests Are Blocked Out Completely By Sealing Your Home

Sealing cracks and crevices is a good preventative measure against pests, but it is almost impossible to seal a home completely. Insects and rodents are resourceful and can find small openings by which to enter. Some pests can fit through spaces as small as a pencil tip, and most are small enough to make it inside on top of groceries. Helpful but not an ironclad defense, sealing your home.

One Treatment Is All You Need

12 Spring Cleaning Mistakes You Keep Making Every Year — Image provided by:Matilda Wormwood

One treatment doesn’t generally eliminate the pests. Some infestations need continued treatments in order to accomplish complete elimination. Cockroaches will also lay eggs that can hatch after treatment and bring the problem right back. Like termites, To kill them off entirely isn’t easy; it entails continued monitoring. While a one and done approach will help you get some temporary relief there can be times where you require consistent management.

Ultrasonic Devices Are a Cure all

Sound wave pest repellers have been popular, promising to repel pests with sound waves. However, studies have shown that these devices have little or no effect with common household pests. Initially ultrasonic waves may drive some pests away but most will become accustomed to it and come back. Proven pest control techniques are much more effective than using gadgets for a pest free home.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.