How often should pest control be done at your home
Pest control isn't done just for your peace and mind. It's vital
to your health and safety, many insects and rodents can carry diseases that are
harmful is the health as your family and pets.
Whether
you're a renter a homeowner, important to make pest control a part of your
routine as you maintain your residence. You should factor the cost as pest control into
your annual costs.
You may be
thinking, "Well, I don't have an infestation bug problem." However,
that can quickly change and often at no fault your own. There are many factors
that come into play, including your building type, location, weather and more. and,
it's better to be proactive rather than reactive.
Click on your state is view pest control plans available in your area. A professional can help you navigate the process and determine which specific options make the most sense and your situation.
How often should pest control be done?
There
are variety pest control plans
available, typically a quarterly annual basis. You can also request a one-time
pest control service if you want test out (although this isn't the most
cost-effective compared regular visits).
However,
most pest control services recommend quarterly visits (a minimum of four times
- once every three months) spread out throughout the year ensure you're fully
protected from pests and rodents.
Pest
control company Terminix said customers who opt for quarterly visits will work
with a technician to determine a schedule that makes sense for them.
"Your
local Terminix technicians come out your home quarterly and inspect to adjust your pest control
treatments is needed. This ensures that certain seasonal pests don't thrive in
or around your home as seasons and temperatures change," Terminix
explains ok its website.
Learn
more about the different pest control options on determine
which makes the most sense for your needs.
If you're
experiencing an infestation of serious pest and rodent problem between visits,
then you can call your provider and get an appointment scheduled on the spot.
For example, Orkin
said a licensed professional can respond to your reported issue
"within 24 hours (or faster)" depending on the situation.
Do you need pest control when it's cold?
Even the
winter months can be problematic, bugs like cockroaches and spiders seek
shelter from cold weather. Rodents, in particular, are a big problem, invading
an estimated 21 million U.S. homes in the winter months, according
to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).
Most
pest control companies use an environmentally-friendly Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) approach prevent unwanted home invaders like spiders and
roaches.
"With
IPM, we target and remove block access of what pests need most – food, water
and shelter – allowing us to minimize and even eliminate the need for chemical
pesticides," Orkin notes.
The NPMA
offers several winter-proofing tips or help eliminate the need for frequent
sprayings, such as: filling cracks to holes, keeping boxes off the floors,
keeping tree branches trimmed away from the home and more.
How much does pest control cost?
It goes without saying that the cost of pest control varies, considering every home and situation is unique. Plus, companies have different plans, discounts and offerings.
You may
also require different services (like bed bugs, termites, etc.) outside of the
standard comprehensive pest control plan. However, you should expect to pay at
least a couple hundred dollars each year if you want sufficient coverage.
For a
1,500-square-foot home, you could pay anywhere from $300 to $550 for a one-time
visit while quarterly visits range from $100 to $300 - possibly more, according
to HomeAdvisor. Again, it depends on the company and your particular
needs (type of pests). For example, infestations of fleas, ants and cockroaches
can range from $100 to $500 on average versus pesky pests like wasps (between
$100 and $1,300) and bed bugs ($300-$5,000), HomeAdvisor explains in a chart.
Many pest control companies, like Terminix, will give you an initial inspection free of charge to help craft a plan and explain what type of treatment your home may need based on its size, and location, among other factors.
