Protecting your home is hard. When you don’t even know what you are protecting it from, it can feel impossible. When you have an unwanted pest in your home, what is your initial reaction to the situation? Do you immediately stomp on it with a shoe? Do you capture it under a cup so it can be humanely released into the wild? Do you take a second to get a close look at it and understand what it is you are up against?
Well even if it’s scary, it’s best to get a good look or some sort of identifying features before you immediately start swinging. Correct identification of pests makes treating and controlling them easier and more effective. This can also make things safer for you. If you can identify a dangerous pest, you will know not to get near it and call in the professionals. Additionally, we spend time to speak on common household pests so you can easily identify what is in your home and what kind of threat they pose.
The Difference it Makes
Say you are walking through the forest one day and you step on a snake. Out of defense, the snake bites you in the leg. Your leg then begins to burn and swell … you quickly realize that the snake is poisonous. You rush to the hospital and the doctor asks you to identify the snake that bit you. These moments are crucial and there is no time to waste. If there isn’t a clear idea of what kind of snake bit you, then you might get the wrong anti-venom.
While it is unlikely that you step on a venomous snake within the comfort of your home, there are still pests that pose a threat to you and your family. Multiple species of household spiders have a nasty bite with serious side effects. By knowing what bit you, the treatment, and recovery from the bite becomes easier.
Additionally, when it comes to the treatment, reduction, and prevention of pests… it is best to know who you are up against. If you think you have carpenter ants, but in reality you have termites – it is a different course of action you need to take. This can make the difference between thousands of dollars of treatment. Our experts are trained in identifying and treating all household pests.
Ways You Can Help with Pest Identification
There is no way we expect everyone who owns a home or business to be an expert on household pests. That is what we are here for. But sometimes when you go to a house to treat a pest and it decides to be shy. Without any way to identify the pest besides the damage its done or any droppings it has left behind, treatment can be very hard. We do our best to identify it, but to save on time and work most efficiently there are ways you can help to identify pests in your home.
- Capture: If possible, try to catch the pest or one of the pests that are in your home or workspace. By simply placing a cup or a jar over the pest to trap them in one place. Then slip a piece of paper underneath and you can humanely release them into the wild. If you have a lid for the jar or have the ability to transfer them to a Ziploc bag, you can save them to show to your pest control specialist.
- Snap a picture: This is one of the easiest methods because it can be done from a distance. However, it can also be the hardest for identifying. Make sure the lighting is good and you have a clear picture of the pest.
- Key identifying factors: If capturing your pest is too difficult and you don’t have time to grab your phone or camera to get a picture, you will need to at least get a very good look at it. Look at distinct features – coloring, size, legs, eyes, wings, etc. Write these things down immediately after spotting the pest so that it isn’t reliant entirely on your memory.
Call in the Experts
At DriveBye Exterminators, we strive to help you identify and treat any pests that are infesting your home. We work with you so you understand exactly what you are dealing with and they are being treated most efficiently and effectively possible. If you have an unwanted pest invading your home or place of work, give our experts a call today!
