When Do You Need to Call For Pest Control Services?

Encountering one or two pests seems common, while there are successful times in getting rid of pests, there are moments of recurring pests’ infestation here and then. The question is, when do we really need to call for pest control? How do we gauge if the current situation warrants a need to get professional help? Can we continue using home pest remedies? These are common questions raised by many, and Rentokil shares a list of considering factors on when to get proper help in your pest eradication.

If you are among the many who face the following similar challenges in dealing with your pest prevention matters, read on more.

• Unable to get rid of bed bugs despite elimination measures
• Not getting the right termite treatment for your home
• Cannot seem to find the pest despite observing infestation signs
• Unsuccessful in chasing after cockroaches with insecticides
• Unsure what pest species is in your home such as the silverfish

When pest population increases and spreads

While we have patience to deal with one or two crawling pests around the home such as cockroaches and ants, frustration and concern grows when we see an increase in population. For example, a line of ants marching along the wall tiles or cockroaches popping in the kitchen, and even dining hall, storeroom and bathroom. Bed bugs for instance are capable of reproducing and spreading quickly, so long as there is presence of host or body warmth. This includes spreading within the furniture in the bedroom, to surrounding rooms with curtains, sofa and any upholstery.

Pest can travel, as they seek food, shelter and water and they can relocate from room to room or from external to internal such as the garden to your home. Mosquitoes for example fly and travel around, and easily enter into homes via balcony or window and termites can access internally through underground soil or attaching wood structures and mud tubes.

Given their speed and volume of reproduction and their traveling skills, containing a pest infestation can turn into a challenge unless with the help of proper pest control solutions in place. This is because targeted and specific treatments are aimed at the identified pests and their key risk areas while eliminating their food supplies and preventing further entries and expansion.

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Facing recurring pest infestation despite efforts

One of the most common home complaints is the experience of recurring pest presence regardless of efforts and measures taken. It can range from sticking baits and traps, to applying gels or sprays, and the use of deterrent methods with natural ingredients. There are homes that are kept spotless clean with diligent housekeeping and cleaning regime; however, success rate seems low to none. There are several factors resulting in ineffectiveness and there is where professional help is necessary.

• You have identified the type of pest species wrongly that results in incorrect treatment
• Key risk areas are not targeted that cause wrong placement of traps, baits and sprays
• Addressing only the physical problem with localised treatment while ignoring root source
• Neglecting and missing out nests or corners where pests are efficient in hiding in
• Gaps or inadequacies in type of solutions used including active ingredient and dilution rate
• Cross infestation incidents due to lack of barriers, protection and proofing efforts
• Lapses or inconsistencies in pest treatments that did not cover pest life cycles

Incidents of health consequences and damages

It is alarming to go through health threats at home including diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, fever or cramps. These are potential food contamination symptoms that results from diseases transmitted from filthy pests. Cockroaches and ants for instance harbor various pathogens from surfaces they interact and transfer them to our food consumption journey. Other health concerns include facing red, itchy and swollen bites and rashes on our arms, legs and face that may be a result of pest bites.

Pests are capable of biting and sucking our blood for survival. Mosquitoes and bed bugs are examples of biting pests that we did not notice until the itch and swell turns obvious. This happens when there is a population of adult mosquitoes around us or homes are infested with bed bugs. Because of the analgesic element coming from their saliva, we are unable to feel their attacking activities until later. Dengue fever is one health concern caused by mosquitoes, where infected Aedes Mosquitoes bite us and transmit the disease to individuals.

Less common but another health implication caused by pests are allergies. Cockroaches and termites can cause allergies and asthma symptoms from their saliva, dropping and urine. This is especially so, where there is a lack of cleaning taking place, leaving these pests signs behind.

Read also: What you need to know about Dengue cases and Denv-3 in Singapore

Unable to determine pest species and nests

It is definitely a challenge in remembering the different types of pests and their species including their outlook, habitat and life cycle. This is especially so when certain pests exude similar personality or portray close resemblance.

Firstly, mice and rats are commonly confused because they fall within the same rodent category with similar outlook. However, they do have differences in terms of their snout, behavior, reproduction and hiding preference. Secondly, termites and ants are another confused pair because of their skinny body nature and association to wood and the term label used on termites for instance white ants. Unless with trained pest biological facts and certified in the pest control industry, differentiating them can be a tall ordeal. Thirdly, mosquitoes and midges are mistaken for one another because of their need for standing water and going through the same life cycle stages. They fly and mingle around water and moisture presence, and some species of midges are biting species.

Finally, there are pests that are more unusual and seldom encounter such as booklice and silverfish. While they are uncommon, they do infest in homes where there is moisture and high humidity. They feed on common home items including books, magazines and paintings.

Receiving complaints from neighbors or customers

What can be more frustrating and bothering dealing with complaints from neighbours or negative feedback from customers? Disputes and disagreement are one challenge, however, dealing with possible pest infestation is another hassle. It is possible to spread from neighbor to neighbor such as termites that move sideways and upwards along the underground. Cross infestation can also take place as they move and slip in any openings, gaps and cracks where available. There are possible reasons why we have not taken notice with pest issues happening within your premise:

• Pests are nocturnal and do not surface during day time or operation hours for our notice
• Infestation signs are not obvious or identifiable such as urine stains or smear marks
• Mistaken pest signs as defects or cleanliness issues including mud tubes and frass
• Pests are hiding comfortably in deep within cabinets and back of appliances
• Presence of one or two visible pests become a blind spot and no action taken

Negative reviews or complaints from customers can damage brands especially a service centric, food driven or image savvy business. For example, restaurants, hotels, schools, healthcare and food processing sectors that are responsible for consumers’ safety. Besides the financial and operation consequences, brand image and reputation are as damaging to the business health as well.

Regulatory compliance requires and business licenses

There are mandatory and regulatory requirements in some businesses as part of licensing and business certification purposes. Food establishments are regulated by the National Environment Agency where standard processes and facility fulfilment concerning hygiene, pest handling and safety is accessed. This includes the engagement of pest control service, deployment of fly control unit and necessary hygiene facilities including hand soap and drying. Failure to comply or presence of gaps in adhering to zero-tolerance to pest can lead to various implications including suspension, closure and penalty. If you are running a restaurant business, read here to find out why is pest control essential.

Purchasing or renting a new residential property

There may be several baggage takings over a new home that can range from defects, historical events, usage habits and environment conditions. Regardless which journey of a home ownership you are at, pest control is critical at these stages.

Firstly, termites are present in any types of home dwelling ranging from landed property, flat or apartment. This is due to the wood they feed in your home 24/7. Termite infestation risk is high and engaging professional termite control specialist can help detect any early termite activities and take proactive corrective action. This is often done by using cutting-edge technology like the Microwave Technology to locate for termite presences. Secondly, pests can hide in impossible spaces we do not have any clue. Therefore, engaging professional pest inspection can identify these risks earlier. Thirdly, part of pest survey and assessment includes the examination of the premise condition and surrounding environment. If you reside in a dengue cluster or poor sanitised vicinity, additional protection measures will be recommended.

Finally, for owners who are intending to sell their property, a full termite inspection report can be furnished to support the sale. This helps avoid future disputes and issues resulting from home damages caused by termites.

Residing at a high pest risk environment

Certain environments pose more risks than the other does. This includes locations that have poor hygiene standards including presence of food waste, and improper garbage handling. Such conditions attract pests like rats and cockroaches that feed on food scrapes, decaying matters and dead insects. With the rising construction work for property development, such works force pests such as rats and snakes out of their habitat and relocating to other nearby shelter for instance your home.

Construction sites also pose mosquito breeding risks, with stagnant water collected among uncleaned receptacles. They include pots, gullies, containers, spades, holders, machineries and surface indentation. In addition, there are locations with more food establishments that tend to attract ants, cockroaches and rats. Cross infestation may happen and especially if the food establishments do not adopt sound pest control and proofing measures. These pests will also travel to other locations for food if there is food supply scarcity or over pest population that results in competition.

Homes residing in dengue clusters in Singapore is perhaps the most critical factor to start engaging in professional mosquito control if you have not. Particularly if your home is within the red zone where there is high number of active dengue cases, it is even more important to ensure you have full integrated mosquito treatment comprising fogging, larviciding and placement of mosquito traps.

How shall we decide which pest control company?

Facing with options and choices are mind boggling especially with the many pest control companies in Singapore. It includes smaller and basic services to larger and reputable brands, deciding which specialist to engage can affect the efficacy and quality of treatments you received. Here are tips on who to engage:

• Are you able to find them easily on the internet, website and call center?
• Have they responded to your query and your pest needs adequately?
• Did they portray professional pest knowledge and deep understanding of solutions?
• Is the company certified with relevant licenses, awards and accolades?
• Check the background in solutions, technology and gadgets used
• Is there adequate labor and resources to respond to your needs speedily?
• Go through their customer reviews and ratings to determine their service standards
• Any health and safety policies, processes and standards in place?
• Availability of information, checklist, facts and explanation of the services

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What questions do we need to ask pest control specialists?

Besides price, there is essential information you need to know. These include the treatment you are receiving for the home and background of the company. Firstly, you need to ask them on the methodology, type of active ingredient and frequency required on the pest treatment you engage for your home. Secondly, find out the pre-and-post treatment checklist you need to adopt to prepare for the service and the use of the premise safely thereafter. Thirdly, find out where are the treatment coverages such as corners, hideouts, internal and external of the home. Fourthly, ask about the efficacy, lab test, case studies and pest trends to illustrate the effectiveness of the solution. Additionally, find out what the causes of the pest infestation are and what some home habits and mistakes that result in a pest problem.

Finally, discuss with them housekeeping recommendation and proofing tips. This can help to optimise the pest control quality and keep pest infestation at bay. Above all, do ask how can the treatments control the pest population and observations towards the condition that may affect effectiveness.

Read also: Essential questions to ask your termite pest control specialist

Call Rentokil Singapore at  (65) 6347 8138 for pest control services today.