Eek!
Maybe you’ve caught yourself making this noise quite a few times when pests or a critter scurries across the floor or when bumping into them while out in the yard.
Your first reaction is probably to grab a can of spray or a broom to send the little devils back where they belong.
Hold up a minute! Not all pests are bad.
It’s good to know which to eliminate and which to keep around.
The Bad Pests You Don’t Want
We refer to the ones we don’t want around as pests.
These bugs and critters are predatory or parasitic, meaning they’ll likely eat at you, your pets, and the stuff you own. Many of these bad pests carry diseases which have been known to be fatal.
Not to mention the annoyance they create from being bitten or stung by them.
The pests you don’t want include:
- Roaches
- Ticks
- Aphids
- Mosquitos
- Mice & rodents
Eliminating these critters will improve your quality of life and help to avoid nasty diseases.
How to Get Rid of the Bad Ones
Pesticides and traps are the usual go-to methods of eliminating bad pests. These items are generally cheap (unless you’re in need of bulk), easy-to-use, but can be harmful if inhaled or contacted.
Pest Services
The smarter solution for these bad pests is to use a pest control services company.
These companies use sprays that aren’t normally available to the average consumer. They are highly effective and often offer up to one-year of coverage. The services also have the added benefit of timely maintenance which is easy to forget (or avoid) since many people do not want to directly deal with pests.
Sound
There are instances where playing bad music can send the pests away. This is usually through low and extremely high frequencies which act as a repellent. A good sound system set low to the ground is worth a try. There are numerous products available through marketplaces that are known to work.
Cleanliness
The easiest? Keep your yard and home clean.
Messy spots, standing water, and cracks/crevices create the perfect environment for these pests to thrive. Go around your yard and home to clear these problematic areas. Use traps and/or sprays to kill and deter them from coming back.
Good Pests You (Kind Of) Need
Beneficial insects and small critters prey on the bad ones. This prevents the bad pests from wreaking havoc on your garden, home, and personal being. They’re mostly harmless and you’ll often find them available for purchase at major retailers since they provide an organic solution to yard maintenance.
Good pests you’ll want around include:
- Ladybugs
- Lacewings
- Garter snakes
- Spiders (Orbweavers & house spiders)
- Bumblebees
Keeping these “good” pests around will promote pollination, and prevent bad bugs from getting into your domain (eating away at your home). As the good ones take over, it’s less likely you’ll have to experience the bad ones, so you’re creating a good ecosystem.
How to Encourage the Good Ones
An organic pesticide is a beneficial way to eliminate nasty insects while leaving the good ones at peace. There are many options on the market. Organic pesticides using hormones are some of the newest. They use neuropeptides to deter the critters from attracting others.
There are dozens of plants that will attract good bugs and pests, including daisies, dog rose, lavender, and honeysuckle. Perhaps the easiest method is to simply let them be. Avoid squashing the insects or killing the small critters so they’re likely to stick around and feed off the bad ones.
What pests do you say “eek!” to, and which do you keep around home?
