A pest control professional can be called an exterminator, pest controller, or pest technician. An exterminator goes to businesses and customer houses to inspect for pests or vermin. Usually pest control workers use the right approach to eliminate or get rid of the pest, regardless of which method, whether that is an insecticide, trap, or other method. Either way, they are trained how to do it properly and of course, safely.
Some pests that an exterminator might come in contact with are ants, termites, cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas, ticks, and spiders. These bugs are usually found in the home or office environment, where they hide in furniture, drapes, cupboards, and other points of concealment. Some of these bugs may not pose immediate harm to humans; however, infestations of these bugs can result in serious problems such as allergies, asthma attacks, nausea, and sometimes even an infection.
Now, while it’s good to know that there are both professional and home remedies for many pests, sometimes a “do it yourself” solution is needed. Luckily, there are some pest control professionals that do offer their clients the option to learn how to do-it-yourself pest control by taking courses at local training courses. Sometimes these courses are offered through the local hardware or lawn care stores in your area. Other times, they will be offered in a seminar style through one of the many pest control associations that exist today.
Most of the time, pest control technicians have the job of dealing with both residential and commercial clients. They deal with rodents, insects, and sometimes also include fungus or mildew control issues. These types of issues can range from a small rodent infestation in a person’s home to an infestation of mice or rats running rampant throughout an apartment complex or business establishment. Often times, pest control technicians will have to deal with both large and small rodents and insects, and then the larger, more dangerous rodents like raccoons.
One of the most common pest control methods is the use of a repellent. These types of sprays work by releasing a harmless but powerful odor into the environment that keeps pests away from a certain area. While this might sound easy enough, there are many kinds of repellents, and not all of them are created equal. For example, some of these sprays contain chemicals that may be toxic to people, and some contain only a very low level of toxicity. Additionally, the chemical components in some of these sprays are extremely flammable and create a great deal of dust when sprayed. Add all of these things together, and you can see why selecting a repellent that is appropriate for your specific needs might be a bit tricky.
Another type of pest control spray is the insecticide fogger. This device sprays a fine mist containing highly lethal pesticides into the air in a targeted area. While the use of such a pesticide may seem extreme, these insecticides have been proven over the past few decades to effectively kill off even extremely hard-to-kill roaches and mosquitoes. Many commercial exterminators use this type of fogger on a regular basis for huge rodent infestations. Unfortunately, it has also been known to kill off all kinds of beneficial insects as well, which is why you should only use it in locations where non-organic pesticides would be more appropriate.
If you have an indoor pest problem, there are additional pest control methods available, including some that do not involve spraying pesticides at all. For example, there are products that can be placed under cracks and crevices that act as traps, which will lure cockroaches and other small insects back into the home. In addition to being sure to block access points that would let cockroaches and other insects gain access to a home, these traps can also be used to kill off lice and fleas. Other methods available include ultrasonic treatments for certain kinds of bugs, like roaches and ants, and steam distempers for large groups of insects.
The last type of pest control method we’re going to discuss deals with the physical presence of the pest itself. There are products available that are specially designed to repel pests from a specific area by using barriers that deter them from entering. These barriers are generally composed of materials such as plastic, which acts as an excellent physical barrier while letting the air circulate around it, thus keeping the pests away from the treated area. In the case of cockroaches, this might include applying a solution of lemon juice and salt to the undersides of doors and windows in order to keep them from entering.