31 December 2018
 Categories: , Blog

Australia is known to have some of the deadliest insects in the world. Especially when the weather heats up, these insects come to the surface and pose danger. A number of species of spiders can enter people's residences, with some of their bites proving to be fatal in a matter of hours. Additionally, cockroaches are also most common in summer and particularly hover around areas of food storage. These pests can contaminate food and pose hazard to household members. Residential pest control services offer safe, fast and efficient pest removal. Here are some important considerations before you select a service:

• Most pest control services operate with one goal in mind — to use chemicals that completely exterminate insects. These chemicals are applied using sprays which are reapplied every few months to prevent the insects from coming back. This type of pest control method simply applies the product without identifying pests, so the product will reach areas where no pests are present.
• The chemicals used in pest control are quite harsh, and exposure to such chemicals is a matter of concern, particularly in children whose body systems are still in their developmental stages. Exposure to these chemicals can produce a range of adverse health consequences on numerous body systems, including the endocrine, reproductive and nervous systems. There are safety regulations in place to prevent exposure; however, it is impossible to be entirely certain with regards to the chemical residues left behind following a pest control operation.

An alternative, less toxic option

A new method of managing pests has surfaced and is known as integrated pest management (IPM). This method combines a number of strategies for effective extermination. Three key steps are involved in implementing this method:

1. Identifying Pests
2. Preventing pests
3. Treating pests 

This strategy uses knowledge of pest characteristics to exterminate them in comparison with typical pest control services where all pests are treated the same. The exterminator will know pest specifics, such as habitat and habits, and use this information to treat the infestation. One of the methods used by IPM operators is prevention. They will advise key preventative strategies to homeowners to prevent infestation in the first place. For instance, you can prevent termite infestation by keeping soil around your home dry. 

That being said, IPM operators may use pesticides as a last resort to treat active infestation. However the exterminator will always select the least toxic product.

When it comes to choosing the right exterminator for your pest control needs, extensive research is essential.