As the autumnal equinox marks the arrival of colder weather, it's time to start thinking about home maintenance services. While outdoor pests may decrease with the change in season, it's important to keep up with a consistent pest control protocol. Hiring a professional pest control company is the best way to ensure that your home and family are protected from pests. Professionals have been trained to do the job correctly and efficiently, and routine treatments are more cost-effective than one-time treatments. When it comes to pest control, it's important to know the pests you have and the options available to control them.
In Texas, there are several levels of pest control licenses and certifications that provide access to powerful chemicals. These chemicals are more powerful and efficient than those found on store shelves. Monitoring pests is also important, as it helps inform future pest control strategies. Insecticidal soaps are an effective foliar spray against a wide range of plant pests. When using DIY pest control methods, there are some special considerations to keep in mind depending on the climate or region.
For example, horticultural oil can be safely used at any time to control plant pests that are not attractive to pollinators. Cover sprayers should be avoided as they can increase exposure for people and pets, as well as create pest problems by eliminating predators, parasitoids and diseases that keep plant pests under control. Overall, it's important to remember that a healthy urban ecosystem contains a diversity of species. The effort spent on monitoring pests must be proportional to the value of the plants, the time available, the life cycle of the pest (that is, its potential damage if not controlled) and the skill level of the observer.
