Are you suffering from a pest problem?
Spotting a cockroach trying to make itself at home on your couch is a stressful discovery. Pests aren't nice to look at and they can compromise your health and property. You want them out of your property as soon as possible, and likely will look for help.
When you look for a professional, you'll come across exterminators and pest control. This can be confusing, as many people don't know the differences that set them apart.
Don't worry, that's where we come in! Keep reading for our guide on extermination vs pest control in Murrieta so you know what to expect.
The Growth of Pest Control
In the past, the only goal was the elimination of pests from the home. You would call in exterminators who came in using harsh chemicals. These chemicals were dangerous to people, pets, and the environment as a whole.
One of the requirements was that the homeowner and all those living in the property needed to leave. Then, the exterminator injected chemicals into the walls and the home. It was a "smoke bomb" to get rid of the pests.
Other than the harsh chemicals, another problem was this wasn't a successful method. It would kill as many of the pests as it could, but it didn't address the cause. There was no investigation into why the pests were there and how they were getting in.
Because of this, the pests often came back. And this led to a more calculated approach to pest control. The goal remained the same, which was to remove the pests. But pest control focuses more on management rather than eradication.
Long Term vs Short Term Goals
When pest control services visit, they will investigate to get to the root of the problem. They around the outside and inside of the home to work out entry points and why they're coming in. This then helps guide the best method on getting rid of them.
Exterminator services aren't concerned with the hows and whys of the situation. They will kill the pests that are there currently but don't give much thought to the future or a long-term plan to manage it.
Even if most of the pests die, those that remain will multiply fast, and you're back with the same problem. Within 6 months to a year, you'll need to call them back in, leave the house and repeat the process as the cycle repeats.
With pest control, you're thinking about the long term. They'll take care of the current problem, and seek to make sure they don't come back. The investigations they do will set a path for a way to remove those pests for good.
Exterminator Chemicals Are Harsher
Pest control and exterminators in Murrieta CA both use chemicals to remove pests. But the chemicals exterminators use tend to be stronger, and less kind to the environment.
Because they're not looking for the best way to remove the pests, they need to kill as many as they can. This means the strongest insecticides and poisons are the main go-to method.
Pest control services use less dangerous chemicals. In fact, where possible, they'll look to control a problem with natural remedies. Why do they do this? Because it's your home. You live there, your family live there and so do your pets. They don't want anyone ingesting anything and getting sick.
Pest control services also know that pests are part of the ecosystem. While you don't want them in your house, they are vital to the environment your house sits in. By culling them, you could upset that delicate balance, and lead to further, larger issues.
Home Pest Control Offers More Choice
When you think of an exterminator, you likely picture someone with a spray tank and a hazmat suit. They come in, shut down your house and spray everything in sight, pests dropping around their feet. And that's not too far from the real image, as poisoning and killing the bugs is their only solution.
Pest control services have different methods for controlling pest problems. There is no one size fits all solution. You need a unique approach for the type of pests you're dealing with. Cockroaches and termites, for example, are very different insects preferring different living conditions.
Because of this unique approach, pest control technicians go through extensive training. They need to learn how to spot different species and put together a treatment for them that will work. After all, that's what clients pay them for.
Pest Control Technicians Give More Information
When you hire an exterminator, they'll tell you the plan and that's about it. There isn't much more information, because they use the same solution for each pest issue.
This isn't the case when you hire pest control technicians. They do an investigation of your home, check your moisture levels, and then sit you down to explain.
They'll tell you the type of pest, how they're getting in, why, and how they plan to stop it. This gives the peace of mind of a workable solution and you're involved in each step with this knowledge.
The Feeling of Returning to Your Home
Your home is your sanctuary and you spend time and money making it look and feel like home. After the process of pest extermination, that strong chemical smell can linger.
It could take up to a few days for that smell to leave your home, making it uncomfortable to be in. It can make you feel sick, and not want to spend time there. Not to mention when the pests rebuild their population, you've got to do it all again in 6 months' time.
After pest control technicians finish, your home won't have that chemical plant smell. Since they use subtler, more natural methods those odors aren't as strong and won't last long.
Pest Control vs Exterminator: Which to Choose
So, there you have it! Now you know the difference between exterminators and pest control in Murrieta.
The ultimate decision rests with you which one you choose. If you're looking for a quick fix to deal with an overwhelming number of pests, then an exterminator can help. But if you want a long-term solution that means they won't come back, you want to call in a pest control company.
For more information on pest control in Murrieta, CA, contact us today. At Local Bug Guy, we've got the expertise and knowledge to offer a long-term solution to all your pest needs.