3 Forms Of Pest Control That Won't Endanger Your Children
by Luke Fields
Your home is where both you and your children spend the majority of your day. For this reason, you want to do everything you can to eliminate the nasty pests you occasionally see crawling around your home. However, you want to be able to do so without putting the wellbeing of your children at risk. If used correctly, these three forms of pest control will allow you to reduce your property's pest population without any threat of accidental poisoning or injury.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth has been used by farmers for decades to eliminate pests that threaten crop fields and storage units. Instead of poisoning or instantly killing pests, diatomaceous earth destroys the exoskeletons of pests.
Diatomaceous earth is a powder, so it's best suited for outdoor environments. Treating your yard with a thick layer of diatomaceous earth will prevent outdoor pests from passing through your yard to enter your home. As pests travel through diatomaceous earth, the wax and liquids coating their protective exoskeletons will be absorbed—sending pests in a desperate search for moisture as they scurry away from the diatomaceous earth.
However, as with any powdered lawn product, you must make sure you wear a respirator while applying diatomaceous earth to sections of your yard. Otherwise, the product may enter your respiratory system and cause breathing difficulties. Once the earth settles, it won't pose any threat to the respiratory system of you or your family members. Although, to err on the side of safety, only apply diatomaceous earth to areas of your yard that aren't susceptible to being agitated by strong winds—such as fence lines, grass plots, and planters.
When diatomaceous earth is moisturized by rain or humidity, its effectiveness will be significantly reduced. Apply additional layers of diatomaceous earth after your yard has been subjected to heavy moisture to ensure that it remains effective throughout the entire year.
Bait Stations
Bait stations contain a mixture of food and pesticides that attract and kill pests. Even though bait stations contain pesticides, they can be easily setup in areas that aren't within the reach of your children. Additionally, there are several types of bait stations that are specifically designed to be tamper-resistant—which means they won't pose a threat to your children or your four-legged friends if they're discovered.
Bait stations are most effective when they're placed along the pathways pests take to navigate your home. Placing stations against the exterior walls of your home will allow you to reduce your home's pest infestation without having to lift a finger.
Additionally, you can place bait stations in areas of your home that won't be frequented by your children. The back of your under-sink cabinets, behind your washer and dryer, and behind your fridge are all areas that are likely to be traversed by your unwelcome guests and ignored by your children.
Perimeter Sprays
Perimeter sprays are an effective way to create a solid, pest-deterring barrier around the exterior of your home. Although perimeter sprays contain pesticides, they pose no risk to you and your children once they're dry.
Luckily, you can apply a perimeter spray by yourself as long as you follow a few safety precautions. While applying your spray, equip a respirator and safety goggles. Stand in the opposite direction of the breeze and wear thick clothing to avoid skin contact with the spray.
Your spray must be applied in a continuous line to be effective. For this reason, you must remove objects surrounding your home (such as patio furniture, firewood, and storage bins) for the spray to be applied correctly. Once these objects are removed, apply a six to twelve inch layer of spray around the base of your home. Avoid contact with the treated area surrounding your home for the next 24 hours to prevent accidental contamination.
If you have further questions about these three products, or if you need help utilizing these child-friendly pest deterrents, then contact your local pest control technician for a consultation. Your technician will inspect your home and determine which pest products are best to use for your current pest problems.
Visit http://www.heritagepestcontrolma.com/ for more information.
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About Me
Welcome to my website. My name is Larry Silva, and I want to talk a bit about private mortgage insurance. You may have heard the term PMI mentioned when you were in the process of purchasing real estate. When I first heard my lender talking about PMI, I was very confused. It was my realtor who sat me down and explained what private mortgage insurance was and when someone is required to purchase it. He told me that PMI is not lifelong insurance; it can be cancelled when the mortgage principal balance reaches a certain point. Once it was explained to me, private mortgage insurance was no longer a mystery or a confusing concept. I would like to pass on what I learned and hope that you find it to be of value.