With over 27,000 pest control companies and counting in the US, pests are an obvious issue in homes and businesses across the country. Nobody likes little creepy crawlies hanging out in their space.

Unfortunately, misinformation about proper pest control procedures abounds. Keep reading to learn about the most common pest control myths and what you to do instead.

1. No Visible Bugs Equal No Infestation

Just because you can’t see any bugs, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Cockroaches love to hide in dark spaces, and ants and termites can be silently chowing down inside your walls without you even realizing it. The bad news? They can do some significant damage to what is perhaps your largest investment if you don’t do something early on.

Watch for signs of infestations like bits of sawdust or shed wings. These indicate a problem even if you don’t see the pests themselves.

If you suspect an infestation but haven’t found bugs, it can be difficult to know how to get rid of them. A good plan is to call a reputable exterminator like Altuspest.com to inspect your home.

2. Mice Love Cheese

If you’re getting your rodent control advice from the movies, you’re looking in the wrong place. The popular belief is that mice love cheese and it makes the perfect bait for the traps.

Unfortunately, no one ever told the mice that cheese is their favorite snack. If you are leaving out cheese-filled traps and coming up empty, try peanut butter instead. The fat and sugar content will attract them and it’s harder to swipe the snack and run off without getting caught.

3. Bug Zappers Work for Mosquitos

Ultraviolet light is commonly used in bug zappers to attract insects. This works to draw in insects that are attracted to UV light, but mosquitos aren’t one of them.

On top of that, many zappers aren’t actually powerful enough to kill every bug they attract. In some cases, this could actually worsen your pest problem.

4. Bees Only Sting Once

This is one of those partially true statements that remain popular because of its half-truth. Only honey bees sting once. Other types of bees can sting multiple times, so don’t think you’re safe from another round if you’ve already felt the wrath of their sting once.

5. Pest Control Is Bad for You

We get it, it totally makes sense that a formula designed to kill something might not be too good for you. However, these formulas are designed to kill creatures that are a lot smaller than you.

The best pest control companies are very concerned with using products that won’t harm the environment or your family and pets. Just like a harmless substance for humans can be deadly for dogs (chocolate or avocados, for example) there are substances that can hurt pests and not you.

Keep Your Home Pest-Free!

If you suspect an infestation in your home or business, don’t hesitate to call in your local pest control experts. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will be and you’ll have a higher potential for more property damage.

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