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As a licensed pest control operator, and having witnessed many pest control issues personally, I can state with certainty that the most common pest control mistakes involve addressing only symptoms and not causes. Put another way, what individuals tend to do wrong when it comes to controlling pests is that they emphasize the reactive measures, like applying chemicals, and fail to enact enough proactive measures, such as denying access to pests or removing their food.

An easy way to understand this concept is with a hypothetical ant invasion of one's home. What I frequently see in the field is a home with lots of ants on the inside and with lots of "earth-wood" contact on the outside. This term refers to direct contact between wood structures, such as decks and wood siding, with the ground. When this occurs, such as with decks built directly on the ground or when such things as decorative bark are piled high against a structure's foundation, pests such as ants and termites are given easy access to your home.

In situations like this, applying chemicals to kill and repel the pests is certainly useful, and even necessary so as to halt the damage being done. However, it is not enough: the avenues through which pests are attacking the structure must be dealt with. Thus, while chemicals may be applied in and around the home, the dirt and debris outside of the home that acts as a highway for pests must be removed.

This is also true of vegetation around a home, which in the industry we refer to as "vegetative contact." Ornamental plants and trees should be kept trimmed such that they do not touch the sides or roof of your house. This will prevent entry by pests, and if they are already in your home, it will cut off their route and make chemical applications much more effective at ridding your home of them.

Then there is simple cleanliness. One of the most common ways that pests are attracted into homes, offices, restaurants, etc. is the failure of individuals occupying and working in such places to keep them clean. Dropped food bits, crumbs, grease globs, and more, all serve as "bug buffets," providing pests with food. Pests are frequently led by their stomaches, so if you take the food away, they'll frequently go somewhere else. If you don't, you can apply all of the chemical you want, but it is almost certain that the pests will just keep coming back (insecticides break down over time, and it is nearly impossible to create complete barriers - pests can and will find gaps in your defenses!).

In closing, the most common pest control mistake people make is that they fail to tackle the problem comprehensively. Other than knowing the pests that plague you and what chemical remedies will be effective against them, you must also take steps to deny them further access to your home, office, etc. As it goes, there are trillions of potential pests in the world, so "crunching all you want" will not suffice to keep them out of your home, since mother nature will always make more. It is effective to do so, but be sure to slam the door in their faces, too.

Learn more about this author, Paul E. Zimmerman.
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