How Often Do You Need Pest Control?

How Often Should Pest Control Be Done?

How Often Do You Need Pest Control

Dealing with pests in your home can be annoying at best and downright disturbing at worst. No one wants to live with creepy crawlers like ants, cockroaches, spiders and mice invading their personal space and damaging their property. But how often should you call in the pros for these creatures when it comes to pest control?

Signs You Need Pest Control

The frequency of pest control often depends on the type and level of infestation in your area. Here are some key signs it’s time to contact a professional exterminator:

  • You regularly see many pests or animals like ants, roaches, spiders, or mice.
  • Pests are present all over even after you’ve tried DIY treatment.
  • You find rodent droppings, termite swarms, or other evidence of large infestations.
  • Pests are damaging homes and furnishings or posing health risks.

Seeing one or two spiders or ants now and then can be normal. But once you spot multiple pests or signs of breeding behavior, the best way is to get professional pest control services to nip the problem in the bud.

Typical Pest Control Frequencies

  • Preventative treatment: Every 3-6 months
  • Minor infestations: Every 2-3 months until resolved
  • Major infestations: Monthly until brought under control
  • Termites or wood destroyers: Yearly inspection at minimum

For the average homeowner, getting preventative pest control treatment every 6 months is often sufficient to keep most occasional invaders at bay. But if you already have an established pest problem, more frequent visits are needed to eliminate the infestation from your property fully.

In some cases, like termite control and fumigation, follow up treatments or frequent inspections may be needed yearly or on an as-needed basis when new evidence of pests is spotted.

Factors That Impact Pest Control Frequency

Every home and pest situation is different, but these are key factors that can influence how often you need professional pest control treatments:

  • Type of Pest: Ant infestation may warrant smaller scale treatments versus major termite or rodent infestations
  • Time of Year: Warmer months see an uptick in bugs while mice seek shelter in winter
  • Age Of Your Property: If your home is prone to pests or if it’s an older building, you may need pest control inspections more frequently.
  • Surrounding Environment: Nearby forestry increases spiders and proximity to still water sources attracts mosquitoes
  • Entry Points: Cracks or crevices, rips in screens, gaps around pipes, etc allow access
  • Clutter: Messy storage areas give unwanted guests places to hide and breed
  • Geography: Climate, plants, soil type and more impacts prevalence
  • Past Treatment: Previous success in elimination also plays a role

Homes and businesses in heavily wooded areas, with plumbing leaks, lots of stacked firewood or compost heaps, for example, provide irresistible pest habitat. The ease of access and appeal of your home’s conditions mean more vigorous, whole property treatments are necessary.

Factors That Impact Pest Control Frequency

When to Call for Pest Controllers Help

Here are some sure signs to seek professional pest management services:

  • After attempting multiple DIY treatments with limited success
  • If you spot roaches, rodents, termite swarms or bed bugs
  • When pets or family members get bitten or stung by bugs
  • If pests damage your home’s structure, walls or wood over time
  • When pests contaminate food prep areas or pose health hazards
  • To prevent pests before listing a home for sale

Reputable pest companies have extensive knowledge and range of services to inspect your location, identify problem areas, and create a customized plan to eliminate pests and prevent future infestations.

Seeking annual preventative treatments also helps deter major pest issues down the road.

Maintaining Pest-Free Conditions in Australia

To better maintain conditions after professional treatment, be sure to:

  • Declutter crawl spaces, garages and dark corners of your house
  • Fix leaky pipes, cracks and holes where common pests enter
  • Keep kitchens clean and food sealed after use
  • Install weather stripping below doors to block access
  • Remove debris and rotting leaves from the perimeter
  • Manage moisture with proper drainage and vents
  • Store firewood away from the foundations
  • Treat yards for problem insects like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes

Vigilantly following your pest control technician’s recommendations provides the best chance for long term elimination of household pests. Combining their expert treatments with proactive prevention keeps your house fresher, cleaner and avoids frustrating infestations.

Schedule Pest Control When You Need It

Dealing with household bugs is frustrating, unpleasant and in some cases dangerous. But partnering with trained professionals at the first signs of an issue provides effective relief eliminating current and future pest problems.

Whether it’s time for annual termite inspections or more frequent treatments to eliminate an existing household pest infestation, contact a highly reviewed pest control expert today and ask questions. Keeping your home pest-free and family safe is only a phone call away.

This article is written by Simon Dooley from Eco Pest Control Melbourne.