How Often Should Pest Control Be Done at Your Home?
Year-round sunshine, warm temperatures, and long growing seasons are some of the greatest perks of living in Florida, but these conditions also create the perfect environment for many uninvited guests. Join us for a guide to how often professional pest control should be done, and the organic, holistic techniques you can use to make your home and lawn less accommodating for unwanted critters.
How often should you be doing pest control?
When it comes to how often professional pest control treatments should be done, the appropriate frequency varies based on several factors:
Type of pest
Pest control companies implement various treatment plans for different species:
Rodents: Rats and mice reproduce quickly and cause significant damage, so treatment plans often include frequent application.
General insects: Usually managed with seasonal treatments.
Drywood termites: Annual inspections with corresponding preventive treatments.
Mosquitoes and flies: May require regular visits during warmer months.
Bed bugs: Only as needed. Treatment requires multiple applications in a short period of time.
Pest control method
How often pest control should be done will also depend on your chosen method. General preventive treatments, such as barrier sprays and bait stations, are typically completed seasonally for residential homes and monthly for commercial properties. However, existing infestations require a more aggressive approach.
Severity of infestation
Quarterly treatments are generally potent enough to control mild insect infestations, including ants, house flies, roaches, and spiders. Moderate to severe infestation may require monthly or weekly applications until they’re resolved.
Season
Even in warm climates like Florida, seasonal changes impact life cycles and behaviors:
Spring and summer: Higher insect activity may demand more frequent treatments.
Fall and winter: Rodents and other pests seek shelter in houses and other structures, requiring proactive monitoring and prevention.
Year-round: Maintaining quarterly treatments can control future insect populations, even if you aren’t currently experiencing a problem.
Location
Seasonal pest control service is usually sufficient for residential properties, but those near water or wooded areas may need more frequent maintenance. Commercial properties typically require monthly applications due to higher traffic and strict health and safety standards. High-risk environments, including restaurants, warehouses, and healthcare facilities, may need weekly or bi-weekly visits, especially in warmer months.
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What are the general recommendations for pest control frequency?
Throughout the Sunshine State, professional pest control isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Here’s a guide to how often pest control should be done to protect your home, family, and pets:
Quarterly pest control treatments
Most pest control companies treat residential homes on a seasonal basis to prevent common nuisance pests like ants, roaches, and spiders. Standard barrier treatments generally last about 90 days before reapplication is needed.
Bi-monthly treatments
Homes and small businesses facing recurring pest problems may benefit from more frequent visits. By closing the gap between sessions, it may be possible to get ahead of the culprits and keep your property bug-free.
Monthly treatments
High-risk commercial properties, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities, must comply with strict health code regulations. Monthly pest control treatments may also be used to combat severe or ongoing infestations in homes and other businesses.
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Combating pests with natural methods in between treatments
While professional pest control is an essential component of addressing unwanted critters, there are a number of integrated pest management methods you can incorporate into your home to keep pests at bay. Here’s a guide to environmentally-friendly treatments that may influence how often pest control should be done:
Maintain a healthy lawn
Overgrown grass, leaf litter, and standing water are breeding grounds for pests like mosquitoes, ants, fleas, and ticks, but a well-manicured lawn minimizes the shelter these critters seek. Regular lawn maintenance like mowing and eliminating biological materials are cost-effective solutions that have a big effect on insect activity. This is also a good time to remove any trash, debris, or pet food that critters may feast on.
Introduce beneficial species
Not all insects are bad. In fact, many species prey upon harmful bugs, happily taking on the role of natural pest control. Introduce ladybugs to address garden pests like aphids and mites, and support a healthy bird and bat population to target mosquitoes and other flying insects. Be sure to incorporate companion planting into the landscape, including nectar-rich flowers and herbs that serve as valuable food sources for beneficial species.
Use natural, targeted sprays or powders
For a more direct approach without spraying traditional pesticides, you can turn to a number of natural alternatives:
Castor oil: A diluted castor oil spray can be applied to around garden borders or burrow entrances where rodents are active.
Neem oil: When applied directly to plants, diluted neem oil can interfere with the hormones of soft-bodied insects (aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, whiteflies, etc.), leaving them unable to feed or reproduce.
Diatomaceous earth: Food-grade DE powder is a pet-friendly treatment for ants, fleas, roaches, slugs, bedbugs, and other crawling insects. Preventive applications may even be used on homes under construction. Avoid breathing in the dust.
Insecticidal soap: This spray is highly effective for many common garden pests.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Available in powder, granular, or liquid form, Bt targets larvae and other soft-bodied insects.
Create barriers to deter pests
Take some time to inspect your doors and windows for gaps or cracks where insects and other pests may gain entry. Replace worn or damaged weather stripping and fill larger holes with copper mesh or steel wool, which rodents can’t chew through.
Assume that all visible gaps pose a danger to your family and pets. After all, mice only need about a quarter of an inch of space, while roaches can squeeze through a crack only one-sixteenth of an inch wide.
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