DIY or Professional Pest Control
When people have a pest issue, whether it be a mouse in the kitchen or wasps in the loft, they can often be tempted do do their own treatment using products that can be purchased from the corner shop. At Kestrel we would always advocate getting in a professional to do the job. We wouldn’t think of rewiring our house or installing a bathroom suite because we know that is a job for the professionals and the same should be thought when we have a pest issue.
Our industry has gone through some big changes in the last few years and the image of the “rat man” throwing a bit of poison down is a thing of the past. There is a base level of qualification that will be required before a pest controller can even purchase professional products. I personally have a number of qualifications and many years experience working in all sectors of the industry from working for a local authority as a pest control officer to working as a field biologist in food manufacturing sites to working in the agricultural sector. The experience and qualifications mean that the pest controller should be considered on equal footing to other professional trades.
So back to the question of this article “Should I do my own pest control?”
There are occasions when the occasional mouse in a garage or the odd foraging ant can be solved by the householder using over the counter products. But there are also times when this mouse in the garage is an ongoing intermittent issue where other factors need to be taken into account. This is where the expertise of a professional should be called upon. At Kestrel Pest Management we often have phone calls asking advice about how best to do their own treatment. There are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account when carrying out your own pest control:
Always read the product label and adhere to all requirements
Safety is paramount – keep all children, pets and non target animals away from pesticides and traps
Wear the correct safety equipment when applying pesticides
Ensure any traps are checked regularly to prevent unnecessary suffering
If unsure seek the advice of a professional
Never leave poisons down after the the treatment is complete
Traps and poisons can cause serious injury, illness and even death if not used responsibly. Throughout my time working in the industry I have known dogs, cats and array of pets be killed simply by the misuse of pesticides. The photograph below shows a stable block that had an issue with rats and the staff thought that leaving piles of rodenticide around the yard would solve the issue. This not only posed a risk to the horses but any pet or wild animal could easily gain access to the bait.
