Most people in the area contact Portland Pest control services for the same problems as other areas; cockroaches, carpenter ants, bees, wasps, and mice. There are, however, some problems that are more prominent in the Pacific Northwest than other places. Moles tend to be a problem, as do Box Elder bugs, and the tailed spider. Termites cause their share of damages too. 

 

Many people first try to rid their home of pests themselves, which is fine. Some pests are more difficult to handle than others, but there is no harm in trying it yourself. If you find it to be more of a problem than you thought, we’d be glad to help.

 

 

While seeing one or two pests may cause concern, there is certainly no need to panic. It does not necessarily mean there is an infestation, yet. An infestation is when a home is overrun by pests. If you notice a pest or two, and don’t act… it could become an infestation. Cockroaches are known for multiplying very quickly, but the fact is; most all pests do. It is true that when you see one, there are many more that you do not see, but they are there nonetheless. 

 

Cockroaches lay about 50 eggs a month on average. Fleas lay about 15-25 eggs a day. Termites multiply much more slowly, but they do more damage. One queen termite can lay 1000 eggs in her lifetime. Therefore, if you see one or two termites, it is the about the same as seeing a dozen or more cockroaches. It’s time to act. If you are seeing one or more cockroaches, or ants in the home on a daily basis, they have a good running start on becoming a huge problem. It is best to act quickly in order to eliminate or prevent infestations. 

 

 

 

There is nothing wrong with trying to handle pest control on your own. If there is not yet an infestation, you might just be successful! Remember when applying home treatments to get the substance into every nook and cranny, especially when dealing with roaches. This means the attic and basement as well. Boric acid does wonderfully for controlling roaches, but it too can be harmful to pets, just like many other store-bought remedies. 

 

If you are going to attempt pest control, check out the more eco-friendly measures first. Even the professionals, such as some Portland pest control services now use safer and less caustic substances for pest control. If the problem is mice, peppermint oil often drives them away. They cannot stand the odor of peppermint. This will only work, of course, if you only have one or two mice in the home. There are many sites online which offer a variety of homemade pest control recipes and products. Just be very aware of the ingredients, and be wary when using around pets and animals with some of these products. 

If you find that eliminating pests needs a professional treatment, there are some things it may be helpful to ask. Find out how long they have been in business. Ask to see their licenses. In Portland, pest control companies not only need a license to conduct business, they also need a licence to use certain products and chemicals. Ask if they have referrals. A former customer who is rid of pests due to a professional service is often more than happy to talk about it. 

 

Safety should be top priority, not only for you, but for whatever business you may choose for pest control. Be sure you find a company that you can trust not only to rid your home of pests, but that you can trust to be in your home to begin with! Make sure they are bonded.

 

No one is happy about pests. Few are happy about having to contact professional pest control services. But, everyone is happy once the pests are gone!