Why pest control is necessary

There are many people who ask ‘is pest control necessary?’, believing that they can just lay down a few mouse traps themselves or buy some cheap bug spray to take care of things. Our answer is always a resounding ‘yes’. There are some tasks that should always be left to a professional, and pest control is certainly one of them. Here we will outline the importance of pest control and why you should call a professional as soon as you suspect a pest problem. Pest control is as important on a building site as it may be for any residential or commercial premises.

Pests are bad for our health

It’s well known that pests pose a health risk. Insects, rodents, and birds all carry diseases including typhus, Lyme disease, salmonella, dysentery, typhoid and, in some cases, tuberculosis. Even in the modern world with access to modern medicine, some of these diseases can be fatal.

Pests pose other threats to our health beyond spreading disease. In the US, half a million people each year are admitted to hospital as a result of insect bites and stings, and two million Americans are allergic to insects that sting.

Young children and pets are even more susceptible to these ailments, so hiring a pest control professional is of the utmost importance in order to protect everyone in your household.

Pests cause damage to property

Not only are pests bad for us, but they’re also bad for buildings. Pests can cause serious structural damage to a property, which is not only unpleasant and stress-inducing for the owners and tenants, it’s also very expensive. In the US alone, termites cause $5 billion worth of property damage each year.

Pests often remain out of sight for a long time, causing hidden damage for weeks behind cupboards and inside walls before they are discovered. For example, ants can cause damage to wooden furniture, and wasps can establish greats nests in attics and unused spaces without the homeowner’s knowledge.

Pests such as moths and carpet beetles can ruin almost anything in a home that’s made of fabric, such as clothing, carpets, towels, and blankets. All of which can be expensive to replace. Mice and rats can cause electrical problems too, by chewing through wires, and potentially leading to a fire hazard. As soon as you notice activity from pests in your home, call a pest control expert before it’s too late.

Pests are bad for business

For businesses in the hospitality industry, especially food and drink services, pests are a huge, ongoing problem. In supermarkets and convenience sores, food and drinks can attract pests. And subsequently, pests cause a whole host of health and safety problems, especially where food and drinks are concerned. Pests have been the cause of many hospitality establishments being closed down, and in many cases, if professional pest controllers were called sooner, the problem may have been averted.

Pest problems go beyond just restaurants and bars. Hotels, event venues, theatres, and more are all likely to attract pests and face being closed down if the issue isn’t sorted quickly.

Business in a wider sense is affected by pest problems too, in a more indirect way than violating health codes. For example, office blocks with pest problems can suffer from damaged walls, faulty electrics, and bad odours as a result of pest infestations. Not only is this an incredibly unpleasant work environment, it can be expensive to rectify if left too late. It also damages a company’s reputation when potential clients and investors visit the premises. Losing business due to pest-related problems can be far more costly than hiring professional pest controllers to begin with!

The law surrounding unauthorised pest control

Taking pest control into your own hands is a risky endeavour. There are many laws surrounding the trapping and killing of animals, even if they’re classed as pests. Only certain animals can be trapped and killed, and only certain methods and equipment can be used to do so.

If you’re untrained and attempting to perform pest control yourself, you could cause more harm than good. You can unintentionally contaminate areas of your home or local environment, or cause habitat damage to animals that aren’t pests. Causing unnecessary harm to animals can come with a hefty fine or even imprisonment, so we believe that it’s really not worth the risk. Get in touch with a professional pest control service and avoid the hassle altogether.

Pests attract more pests

You’ve probably noticed how when someone fly-tips on the corner of a street, more and more rubbish seems to accumulate. A bag of rubbish left on the corner of the street soon becomes two bags, which is soon often joined by a chair, and then an old mattress. Before long, it has become a full-blown rubbish dump. People notice the rubbish, and then add some of their own, and so on.

The same happens with pests. A few ants soon become a colony of ants, and a few wasps soon become a nest. An area that attracts a few pests will attract many more if not dealt with promptly. Pest control is required as soon as possible to prevent the problem from escalating.

We hope we’ve convinced you of the importance of professional pest control. Be sure to give us a call if you suspect that you might have a pest problem at your home or place of work. When it comes to pests, you can never be too careful. Call us on 020 3405 5000 or get in touch with us via our contact form for your pest control needs.