Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
For as long as humans have been living indoors, they have been trying to keep pests outside of their dwellings. There are several methods available to prevent pests from creeping, crawling or scurrying into your home. Which one is best? Today on the blog, your Memphis pest control technicians evaluate and rank the different methods of pest control.
Biological pest control
This entails using living organisms as a method to control the pest population in an area, by introducing either natural enemies or pathogens into an area. Examples of natural predators of pests include bats, cats, birds and certain species of snakes. Certain microorganisms or species of bacteria also can deter the spread of certain pests, especially insects. This can be risky, though, especially if you are creating conditions to entice predatory species onto your property.
Essential oils
The EPA defines essential oils as chemicals that are extracted from plants and produce the distinctive odor or flavor of the plant they come from. Common popular essential oils for pest control include citronella, eucalyptus, catnip, clove, peppermint and clove. Essential oils are promoted as having a wide array of different benefits, including pest control, but do they actually work? An article by the New York Times in the spring of 2024 found that these oils “offer little more than a placebo of security.”
Traps and physical barriers
These both classify as methods of physical pest control. They serve to capture invading pests or exclude them from entering your home in the first place. Barriers of this sort are non-toxic and best suited to address pest problems on a small scale. However, physical pest control only works to capture or deter adult pests, leaving eggs and larvae intact to hatch and cause potential problems.
Devices
Fly swatters, ultrasonic devices and bug zappers – they are all examples of mechanical devices that can be used to deter or prevent pests. These devices can vary widely in how effective they are in stopping pest infestations.
Natural pest repellents
You can install pest-resistant varieties of plants that serve as a method of repellent. These may include lavender, marigolds, basil, mint and rosemary – depending on the type of creature or insect that you are trying to prevent. Using this method of pest control entails making sure those plants remain viable or are replanted if they do not survive the winter.
Store-bought pest control methods
These include flypaper, glue traps, bait systems and bug spray. They can eliminate existing pests but also could negatively impact the environment and human health, while also proving hazardous if you have pets or young children in the home. These products also may only be feared to stop specific species of pests or be designed to work on an assortment of species, including beneficial types of insects.
Professional pest control
There is no substitute for the quality or efficiency of the products used by pest control professionals. These products are more powerful than any store-bought or over-the-counter method that you can obtain, and they are administered by experienced and trained technicians who can deliver the treatments without harming the environment, pets or people.
Residential pest control in Memphis and Cordova, Tennessee
Preventive treatments by a professional pest control company remain your best defense against infestations. AAA Termite & Pest Control is licensed, bonded and insured. To find out more about our services, call (901) 737-7378 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians.