The line between pest control and exterminators can get a little blurry for homeowners. Pest control is typically focused on prevention, while exterminators are more about eradication. What does that mean? Read on to find out the difference between these two terms and which one you should hire!
Pest Control Experts
Pest control is about preventing pests from coming inside your home, while exterminators are responsible for killing the ones that have already invaded. Pest control is a service designed to eliminate pests from an area by using various safe methods so pests do not have the opportunity to spread diseases. Pest control companies will inspect your property thoroughly before deciding how best to protect it against an infestation or invasion.
Exterminators
Exterminators come in after the fact and kill any bugs that could be left over after a pest problem has been dealt with by a professional company. Exterminations are more expensive because they require chemicals that are poisonous if inhaled or touched improperly. An exterminator is someone who uses chemicals or other means to kill pests, including vermin (rats, mice), insects (termites), or animals with destructive habits such as beavers or woodchucks.
The Different Methods
It’s important to understand that there are actually three different types of services you can hire professionals for: pest prevention or management, extermination, and removal. The first two categories, which are insect prevention and extermination, are split up by what method they use. Many people don’t realize that insects (such as termites, ants, and cockroaches) can be managed or eliminated using various physical ways of prevention or removal. A physical pest control system will prevent new invaders from inhabiting your space while those pesky few who have been around for a while are eradicated from the home. And if physical pest control isn’t an option, there are chemical and biological extermination methods.
Physical Methods Of Pest Control
How physical methods of pest control work: physical access to the interior of your home must first be gained by holes drilled into exterior doors or windows before physical barriers can be put in place to stop insects from entering.
- Termite Control – Some physical means of pest control include physical termite barrier systems Sunshine Coast or your city relies on. Physical barriers such as physical bait stations and physical cellulose tubes or physical soil treatments prevent physical contact between termites and cellulose materials so you can rest easily.
- Rodent Control – Interceptors are inserted into floor joists where electrical and plumbing enter the home or physical snap traps are installed strategically around the home to stop rodent invaders.
- Cockroach Control – Physical insect baits are usually ingested by cockroaches, but other physical control measures include physical stomaching barriers applied to exterior doors, window frames, and vents, and physical gels and granules applied to cracks and crevices followed by physical contact sprays.
Physical Pest Control Pros & Cons
No chemicals are used in physical pest control, which means you won’t have to worry about dangerous fumes. But physical barriers cannot protect the perimeter of your home indefinitely. It’s possible for pests to discover ways around physical obstacles over time. Also, physical removal methods cannot eradicate entire nests or colonies, only individual invaders.
Chemical Methods Of Pest Control
Chemical pesticides can also be used to treat termites, rodents, and cockroaches inside the home, but physical means of control will always be more effective. How chemical methods of pest control work: physical access to the interior of your home must first be gained by holes drilled into exterior doors or windows before chemicals can be injected and taken up by insects.
- Termites – Chemicals are applied to cellulose tubes or soil treatments. These chemicals include termiticides and microencapsulated formulations, among others.
- Rodents – Chemicals must be ingested by rodents in order to kill them. Some common chemical rodenticides include anticoagulants and bromethalin.
- Cockroaches – Chemicals are applied to physical insect baits, physical stomaching barriers, or physical gels and granules that are then followed by physical contact sprays.
Chemical Pest Control Pros & Cons
Chemicals are usually applied by professionals, especially termite control chemicals which require licenses to purchase and use. But physical access to the interior of your home must first be gained by holes drilled into exterior doors or windows before chemicals can be injected and taken up by insects.
Insect control measures are not only expensive to implement, but they can also be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why physical and chemical pest removal methods should always be left up to a professional.
