Why You Are Still Seeing Bugs In Your Home After Getting Pest Control Treatment
Dealing with insects outdoors is one thing, but when they come indoors, it's on. The gloves come off, and we call out the big guns to handle things like cockroach infestations and termite control. Suddenly it's World War III, and we vow to take no prisoners! According to Forbes, the average homeowner will pay $575 for termite treatment and $250 on average for a cockroach pest control treatment. Therefore, it's normal to be a little unnerved when you're seeing even more pests afterwards! Rest assured, however, it's perfectly normal.
Most decent pest control services nowadays use more than one angle of defense; they use a combination of products that work differently, resulting in the most effective overall eradication of pests possible. If that sounds a little confusing — don't worry, we're going to explain this in detail, as well as offer you some great tips on how to keep them away. We'll also cover how long it should last, so you'll know when it's time to worry.
Why it is common to see pests after pest control
It's important to remember that for every pest you saw before you called for pest control, there are countless more hiding unseen. Right after treatment, they're flushed from many of their hiding places. Most of them are either already dead or dying. The reason you see many of them is due to the nature of how the products work. Many pest control services use at least two types of products: spot treatment and poison bait. Or they may use a residual product, as well as one that works immediately.
A spot treatment kills bugs on contact with a chemical, oftentimes a spray. The problem with this is, there's an extremely high chance the chemical will not touch every single bug inside your home. Even with residual products, it may wear off or simply not be in the pathway of every insect. That's why a bait product is often used in conjunction with a spot treatment. The bait is taken back to the nests or breeding grounds and congregation areas of pests, so they can spread it around to the others. It is intentionally made to work slower, so that it will have a better chance of reaching the largest number of pests.
How long it should last and how to keep them away
The rule of thumb is, if you're still seeing bugs after 10 days after treatment, then it might be time to call the pest control company back. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to keep insects from returning. The first is to sweep and vacuum the floors often, so that crumbs are kept off the floor. Pay special attention to areas where food is prepared and served. Next, make sure you have garbage cans with lids that fit snugly, both inside and out. Make sure you store all open dry foods in containers with tightly sealed lids as well.
If you have pets, be sure you don't leave pet food and water out overnight. You should try to feed them at certain times, and keep food off the ground in-between. Additionally, keep dishes in the sink to a minimum and countertops free from crumbs and spills. The less food and water sources you have in your home, the less bugs and other pests will be attracted to it. No one can keep things completely spotless all the time, unless maybe you're related to Martha Stewart — but it's important if you're fighting a pest infestation. If all else fails, call the pest control company you trust to have them re-service the house.