3 Pest Control Myths Dispelled

When it comes to pests there has always been a ton of myths circulating around them, oftentimes giving these unwanted critters a worse reputation then they deserve. The perfect example of a myth gone wrong is about earwigs. These creepy crawlers gained the bad reputation of crawling into human ears to lay eggs. While not 100% unheard of, this occurrence is exceptionally rare, the same goes for spiders and ticks.

While there are tons of myths and incorrect statements surrounding insects and pests alike, we are going to just review the top 3 most common myths.

Bugs Avoid Clean Houses

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions around is that a tidy and clean house will cause insects to lose interest and maybe even avoid them. While on the other side of the spectrum, a dirty house will not only attract pests but encourage their reproduction.

Unfortunately, this is a myth that can be quite misleading. When pests of all types come into your home they are not looking for dirt or grime, they are looking for food, water, and shelter. If your home offers all three of these, you are guaranteed to have some unwanted guests. While an unclean home is more prone to an infestation from pests, a clean home certainly won’t deter them.

Try adding caulk along windows and a door sweep along the entrances to your home.

Mice Love Cheese

From the early days, we are taught as kids through pop culture that mice love cheese, remember Tom and Jerry? Cartoons portray characters placing a big piece of cheese on traps in order to capture them. The truth is, cheese is actually not a mouses go-to snack. While they may nibble on cheese from time to time, their preference is actually foods that are high in sugar, such as peanut butter or honey.

If you plan on using a solid food for mouse traps, such as chocolate, try securing it with a piece of floss so the mice don’t have the opportunity to grab and go.

Cockroaches Indicate A Dirty Home

Like other pests, cockroaches enter a home simply to find food and shelter. While you’ll often see these critters on reality TV shows in decaying structures, this is simply the extreme end of neglected buildings. If you see a cockroach in your home, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re bad at cleaning or that your house is dirty.

Unfortunately though, seeing a cockroach does mean a strong possibility for an infestation. Which is why you should always call the professionals to take care of them before things get out of hand.

Cockroaches can squeeze into areas as small as a quarter. So keeping all entrances into your home blocked off with window caulk and door seals will help prevent entry. If you’re in an apartment building however, your neighbor may not be so prepared. So keeping your home blocked off is especially important.

Final Thoughts

While there are many many more myths out there, we’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg with these 3 myths. If you see any pests in your home, don’t wait for an infestation before calling for help. Our team right here at Total Pest Solutions are armed and ready to help!