Pests are very nosy and terrible creatures. The word “pest” originates from the Latin word “pestis”, which means a deadly contagious disease. They would have been easier to manage if they just stayed in wild forests or merely hung around in bushes close to homes or commercial spaces. 

But no. They decided to share the warmth and comfort in our homes with us, making it hard for us to enjoy that warmth and comfort that we deserve. 

No one wants to live with pests. Unlike playful pets, pests don’t come with glad tidings of goodwill. They can cause unimaginable havoc in your home, depending on how much territory you allow them to occupy. This is why it’s super important to get rid of them as quickly as possible. 

However, it’s not enough to want to control or eliminate household pests, you need to know how regularly you should do it. There is a common misconception that a lot of people have. They believe that pest control can be permanently effective. 

If that is the case, why don’t you eat once and expect to be permanently filled?

Pest control should be done regularly, especially if you live in areas close to bushes. Consistent control methods help to keep the pest away. But how often should pest control be done?

Before that, here are some effects of pest infestation that can cost you a lot.

Drastic Effects of Pest Infestation

They damage structures

This is one of the major effects of pest infestation that could cost you a lot of money. Most homes still use wood as a primary building material. Several pests like termites, carpenter bees, and ants feed on this wood. 

So, while you’re there thinking that you have beautiful cabinets, pests are seeing lunch. 

When they burrow through the wood, they damage the structure and expose it to cracking and collapsing. Now, you may say that the effects of pests show up after a long-time, but you shouldn’t wait till that time. It can be expensive to repair and might also reduce its resale value. 

Once you notice any early sign, do well to fix it immediately. 

They damage electrical fixtures

It’s bad enough that pests damage wooden structures. They also come for electrical wires and appliances too. The teeth of rats and mice don’t stop growing. Once they start teething as little creatures (babies), it never stops growing. This is why they always need something to bite on or chew. 

If you want to know that a minor pest infestation has begun in your home, look out for small bite marks on household items. They even go as far as chewing plastics, carpets, furniture, and fabrics. 

Going deeper, pests love electrical wires so much because the softness, length, and shape are just right for teething. They love chewing on those wires just the way human beings nervously chew the edge of our pencils or pens. If they keep doing it repeatedly, they could expose the internal wirings and cause a major fire hazard or electrical shock. 

Fabric damage

Pests could cause irreparable damage to your clothes. For instance, adult moths lay their eggs in soft fabrics. When these eggs hatch, they feed on your clothes. They keep doing this till they reach maturity, and by that time, the fabric will be filled with several holes and stained patches. 

They can even go on to eat decor, drapes, carpets, or curtains. Just imagine wearing underwear that a baby moth has been feeding on for months. 

Now, that you understand how important it is to control pests at home, how often should you do it?

How often should pest control methods be done?

Pest control is important, regardless of whether you’re treating your home for the first time after a severe infestation or trying to prevent one from happening. When picking a pest control program, choose one that suits the peculiar needs of your family while still getting the job done.

You should consider the different ages of your family members. The pest control method that will be used for a family of five with toddlers will certainly not be the same method that will be used for a man living alone. 

Also, if there is heavy pest infestation around homes with mature landscapes and huge vegetation, pest control should be more regular than two to three-month intervals. Once a month in such a case is ideal. 

Now, the frequency of the pest control method used depends on two things- your home characteristics and level of infestation. 

Your home characteristics

If you love the tropical climate, insects and most other pests love it too. They love warm and humid weather, so it’s not surprising that they invade homes in those regions. Also, if you live in a place that receives frequent rainfall, your home may require frequent treatment. 

But look at the specifics of your property. If your home is close to a wooded area, a pool of water, or a grassy field, it may require frequent pest control treatments because pests love natural landscapes such as those, that offer shelter and food. 

In such a case, you’d see a plethora of pests. The bodies of water or grassy fields are great breeding areas for them. The best thing to do is to consult a professional pest removal company to set up a proper plan that suits you.  

Level of infestation

If your home is facing a severe infestation, whether insects or rodents, it might need frequent treatment and inspection until that pest colony is removed totally. The level of infestation affects the number of months that treatment will be carried out for. However, it’s also advised to treat your house once in a while, even after the colony has been removed. 

To identify how often you should treat your home, ask yourself the following questions: 

• How long has the house been infested (or the property)? 
• Where are the pest colonies situated?
• What species of pest has invaded your home?
• How widespread is the infestation?

Also read: Best pest control Service in Vancouver