Residential pest control is a type of pest management that involves treatments within a house or apartment to keep it free from bugs, rodents and other nuisances. It can include everything from removing pest-attracting food waste to sealing entry points and deploying repellents. It is a common way to protect your home from the spread of diseases, as well as to reduce damage to your property and belongings.

Several factors cause homeowners to seek out residential pest control Forney services. For one, they may have a current infestation of pests that need to be dealt with immediately. For example, a homeowner might find a giant wasp’s nest on the eaves of their home. Other homeowners might have a history of pest problems with previous homes or apartments, and want to prevent them from reoccurring. And finally, a few have just moved into a new house and want to get rid of any pests that might be living in it.

Pests can not only be annoying, they can also be harmful to health. They can carry diseases and contaminate our food and water supply. They can even trigger respiratory problems and allergic reactions. For example, cockroaches can trigger asthma and other allergies in children. Rats can carry leptospirosis, salmonella and hantavirus. And even mosquitoes can spread Barmah Forest virus, dengue fever and other diseases.

The most effective way to prevent pests is to remove the things they like to eat and live in. This includes making sure that all food is stored in sealed containers, and that garbage is removed regularly. In addition, removing sources of water and shelter can help deter pests as well. For example, if you have a lot of plants around your house, regularly remove dead leaves and twigs from them to make the area less attractive to ants and other pests that like to hide in damp areas. Another option is to use pheromones to attract pests away from your house, which can be used in conjunction with or instead of repellents.

There are many different residential pest control services, and the methods used differ by the type of pest being targeted. For example, a company might use traps to lure pests into a cage, where they can be safely killed with a poisonous bait. Other companies might spray pests with an insecticide to kill them on contact, and still others might use physical exclusion techniques to seal pests out of an area.

For long-term prevention, most residential pest control companies offer regular service visits. For instance, Terminix’s basic general plan includes a visit every four months to inspect and treat for a variety of common pests. It also covers add-on services for attic insulation, bed bug treatment, crawl spaces, termites and intensive rodent control. Aptive, a more recent player in the industry, offers a similar array of services, including an online portal to schedule visits and track service bills. Both offer free revisits if pests reappear between visits.