Doing your own pest control

It is not always as easy as you may read in many “do-it-yourself pest control” blog posts or websites. Did you know that it may also be very dangerous or even deadly! If you are going to do your own pest control, you need to take required safety precautions, be very careful and aware of possible dangers.

In some situations, you may use pesticides to control or remove unwanted pests. Pesticides are toxic. These materials need to be used and applied with great care. If you use them carelessly they may damage your health or the health of your family. They may also damage the environment or your home. In some conditions, you may use some pest control devices or special product packages that may also be very dangerous. There are a lot of reported deadly incidents where pest control products or devices are used by unprofessional unqualified people or even carelessly. Due to the potential risks involved in handling pesticides, anyone who uses pesticides is required to pass certain training courses and hold a Licence to use pesticides.

I read an article in a news website (source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8503096/cockroaches-1-melbourne-thai-0) that a cockroach 'bomb' blowed up a Thai restaurant. Staff at the Melbourne CBD restaurant, activated 10 cockroach bombs after the restaurant closed on Saturday night. An unknown ignition source caused the bombs to explode, blowing the back door off its hinges, destroying an internal wall and shattering a second storey window. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade reported that a staff member at the restaurant suffered minor cuts from shattered glass in the explosion, which occurred about 12.50am on Sunday.

This is not the first time a restaurant has exploded by the staff using cockroach bombs purchased from a supermarket. They tried to save money, but lost many more! If you have a pest control problem or need pest inspection, it is easier and of course safer to contact a professional pest control company in your area. Following are some safety precautions and recommendations.

• Always follow recommendations provided by the professional pest control operator carefully.
• Use only a licensed pest control operator.
• Obtain the full chemical name of the pesticide to be used – in case of an emergency; this will assist with first aid.
• Ensure food, clothes or furniture are covered or removed from the area to be treated.
• Ensure that all doors and windows are closed if the pesticide is to be applied outdoors.
• Vacate the premises while the pesticide is mixed and applied, and until the pesticide is dry.
• Advise your neighbours in advance of any external pesticide treatments.

I hate cockroaches

I hate cockroaches. But usually we hear (especially from girls) that cockroaches are horrid and hideous creatures. But the problem is that they are everywhere! Cockroaches can be found in homes and offices where food is stored or handled. They are night riders! and most active at night. Like some people who scare of them, cockroaches scare of us. If a light is turned on at night, they will escape away to hide. They spend most of the day hiding in cracks, crevices and warm places. During cold seasons and especially in winter, they invade our homes and warm buildings looking for shelter and food as unwelcome guests.

Cockroaches can carry organisms that cause human diseases such as food poisoning and Salmonella. They can contaminate foods and water resources. Allergies are also an important issue caused by cockroaches. Cockroaches also can spread very fast and in most cases it is very difficult to control and remove them. The female cockroach can produce up to eight purse-like egg cases monthly, each containing up to 30 eggs and nymphs hatch in two to four weeks. Young cockroaches look the same as adults, only smaller.

Prevention is the best way to control cockroaches. Sanitation is a key measure for this purpose and cannot be neglected. Following are some prevention tips for cockroaches control:

• Open food should be kept in a refrigerator
• Sweep and mop floors as often as possible to remove a possible food source
• Cover rubbish bins with a tight fitting lid
• Never leave food items in desks, lockers or anywhere exposed to them especially overnight
• Store all food items in air tight containers
• Reduce overall clutter to eliminate shelter options.
• Dirty crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils should be washed and stored away as soon as possible after use
• All goods, especially the cartons and packages should be closely checked for live cockroaches
• Seal doors and windows.  Fit mesh on drains and check that there are no gaps around service pipe entry points
• Cracked or loose tiles, laminates, and wall coverings should be re-adhered or replaced