When you have a pest problem, handling it fast is crucial. Often, the longer you leave an infestation, the worse it gets. Depending on the pest, it can cause damage to your property and even become a health hazard. Don’t wait to get your pest problem resolved. Find a quality pest control service in Barrie to effectively remove the problem and prevent the pests from coming back. Learn what kind of pest problem you have and whom to call for fast and efficient service.
Pest Prevention
You may not have any signs of pests right now. That means you don’t need pest control services, right? Not exactly. Infestations occur for all kinds of reasons; the moment you let your guard down, they show up. It could happen when the seasons change, your house needs repairs, or a new tenant doesn’t take care of their unit. When you provide food and shelter, the pests will come. That’s why preventative services are so important.
Do a walk-through of your property looking for cracks in the floors, walls, and ceiling. Remember, mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime! Insects need even less space. Seal any cracks you see, then remove debris around your property. Clutter, junk, and garbage attract rodents and wildlife like raccoons and opossums. Maintain a clean exterior and inspect your house or building seasonally.
Pest Control
Once you notice signs of an infestation, what do you do? Each pest has its signs and effective removal methods. Pest control for ants will be different from pest control for bed bugs. If you have mice, you might hear them at night and spot their droppings around the edges of your kitchen. If you have cockroaches, you’ll see their coffee grinds-like droppings and sometimes see them scurrying at night. Bed bugs are a whole different ball game; you’ll notice them by finding bites on your body, their droppings in your bed, and the blood spots from where they bit you.
One of the most common pest problems in Southern Ontario is wasps. Wasps and hornets build hives in walls, decks, and trees often close to homes. They look for stable structures with an opening they can enter. As you likely know, wasps and hornets are irritable and have painful stings and bites. For those who are allergic to their stings, having a hive on your property is a dangerous problem.
If you notice a pest problem in your home, it can be a serious health hazard and cause damage to your house. Similar consequences apply if the property is a commercial building, except with more liabilities. Nipping the infestation in the bud is vital.
Wildlife Removal
Southwestern Ontario has a fair share of wildlife, even in urban cities. Regardless of if you’re by the lake in Midland or living downtown Barrie, wildlife is everywhere. Most cities in Southern Ontario have raccoons, rats, mice, squirrels, and opossums. Raccoons have even become somewhat of a mascot in Toronto! These animals live in bustling cities because of the abundance of food (garbage) and shelter. Unfortunately, this often means they build their homes in our houses and buildings.
How can you tell you have a wildlife problem? Raccoons and squirrels make themselves known at night when you hear them scurrying in your attic and on the roof. Although these critters can be cute, they can also carry diseases like rabies. Not to mention the toxicity in their droppings that can harm your pet if they eat them. Plus, building their home in your house can cause severe damage to your roof, walls, and insulation.
Rats and mice leave their droppings behind them and will eat any food you leave out. However, it may be hard to tell if you have rats or mice at first. When you see their droppings, notice the shape. If they’re small with pointed ends, they’re likely mouse droppings. Rat droppings are usually larger and rounded. Although rats can sometimes be on the small side, they’re almost always larger than mice.
Should I Try to Remove the Infestation Myself?
DIY pest control methods aren’t as effective as professionals services. They often rely on substances that are too weak to remove an entire infestation. For example, some recommend leaving cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil around the home to prevent mice. However, mice are intelligent creatures and will find a way around these obstacles.
The problems created by DIY pest control approaches aren’t worth the stress. When it comes to protecting your home from damage and your family from health risks, it’s always best to call a professional pest control service.
Choosing an Effective Pest Control Service
Not all pest control companies are the same. Many will make outrageous claims and guarantees that they can’t fulfill. You should always do your research before hiring any pest control service.
Start by looking for a company with many years of experience. Knowing the long-term patterns of different pests is crucial for understanding how to remove and prevent them. A company that has only operated a few summers in Barrie won’t know how persistent certain pests in this area can be. You also won’t know how solid their reputation is if they’ve only been operating for a short time. A pest control company with decades of success proves they have reliable and effective methods. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t still be in business!
You should inquire about the humanity and toxicity of the methods the company you’re looking into uses. Some companies use extremely harsh chemicals to remove pests which can make your family and pets sick. Look for pest control companies that only use chemicals approved by Health Canada. The technicians should be licensed by the Ministry of Environment and be college-trained in Environmental Pest Management. These criteria ensure the company understands the impact of different chemicals on the environment and your home.
Lastly, inquire about how the company removes wildlife from your home and property. There are humane ways to do this effectively; animals should not be killed or harmed in the removal process. A professional and experienced company will humanely trap the animal (and their offspring if they’re a mother) and safely relocate them to a better-suited area.
Mr. Pest Control has been providing advanced pest control services to the Barrie area for 27 years. Our trained and licensed technicians comply with Health Canada standards and humane removal policies. Whether you need bed bug pest control or raccoon removal from your roof, we’re here to help. Available 24/7, send us a message or give us a call for a free estimate: (705) 739-7378.