Blog Layout

True or False? Common Pest Control Myths Debunked

YESpestpros • Apr 14, 2017

Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and a Yeti – sighting these guys on your property would be a pretty serious pest control problem. Luckily, most of us feel assured these creatures won’t just show up at our door, and we view them only as myths.

What’s not mythical, though, is that there has been some false pest control information floating around for decades. Let’s take a look at some of those pest control myths and find out the truth behind them.

Myth #1: My cat will keep my property free of rodents.

While our animal companions can certainly earn their keep by scaring off a mouse or two, there is power in numbers. A true rodent infestation is more than any pet can handle, and where there is one rodent, there are bound to be more.

Myth #2: Bees can only sting once.

Many people believe that once a bee or wasp stings, it dies, and therefore can only sting once. This is true for honeybees, but other stinging insects such as wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets can sting or bite repeatedly.

Myth #3: Bug zappers will solve my mosquito problems.

The buzz of a zapped bug may be satisfying, but it’s likely that those zaps aren’t even mosquitos. You may kill a few mosquitos, but in reality, you’re probably doing the exact opposite of what you intend. Bug zappers attract and kill bugs, but mosquitos don’t really care about the bright light – they’re much more attracted to you.

Myth #4: I can’t get bed bugs because I keep my home clean.

Cleanliness certainly helps keep pest infestations at bay, but some pests, such as bed bugs , termites , and carpenter ants don’t care. They just want shelter and food. Bed bugs in particular are attracted to the warmth of your home, not its cleanliness.

Myth #5: I can treat a bed bug problem on my own.

Commercially available bed bug treatments are often ineffective at killing bed bugs and may actually do more to harm you than the bed bugs. Bed bugs are one of the most notoriously difficult pest to get rid of. You’re much better off contacting a pest control company that provides green pest control for bed bugs, such as heat treatment.

Myth #6: I only need pest control if there is a problem.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. In the world of pest control, the best defense is a good offense. Many pests can reproduce rapidly and an infestation can seem to come out of nowhere. Enrolling in an annual pest control plan with YES Pest Pros can help ensure that your home or business will remain pest-free year-round.

15 Jun, 2022
Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.
15 Jun, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.
15 Jun, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.
15 Jun, 2022
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more. Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects . They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs. Carpet beetles feature: “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow. Oval-shaped bodies. Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches. The first concern with any infestation is safety.
15 Jun, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 
By YESpestpros 15 Jun, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
By YESpestpros 28 Feb, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Feb, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 30 Jan, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Jan, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
More Posts
Share by: