Pests are stubborn and rarely go away on their own. It often feels like they have a knack for turning a peaceful home into a battleground where defence is the only option. Whether it’s scratching sounds in the wall at night or spotting bed bugs lurking in your luggage, pest problems can be nightmares.
Knowing how to get rid of pest infestation is key to restoring your peace of mind. Once the unwanted visitors are gone, your home can truly be your sanctuary again.
Today, we’ll walk you through proven proactive strategies to eliminate pest infestations, the differences between DIY and professional pest control services, and effective prevention tactics. Let’s get started.
What Is Pest Infestation?
Pests are harmful species that cause property damage, spread illnesses, pollute food, and become a major nuisance in homes.
When pests invade your house in large numbers, they build nests, crawl freely, and find shelter inside. This disrupts your daily life, makes your home dirty, and can make living conditions unbearable. If not dealt with promptly, pest infestations can completely take over your house, making it uninhabitable.
How To Get Rid Of Pest Infestation?
Early detection is key when it comes to removing pests. The longer pests go unnoticed, the higher the risk of a serious infestation. As soon as you see signs like droppings, greasy smudges, gnaw marks, or nests, act quickly. Let’s now dive into the most effective pest control method.
Professional Pest Infestation Control
Professionals employ specific strategies for each pest type. They know how to locate, target, and effectively eliminate infestations.
Here are some common techniques used by pest control experts:
1. Chemical Pest Control
Experts typically apply various pesticides in forms such as sprays, powders, gels, and baits. These include poison baits, poisonous dusts, and liquid sprays designed to eradicate pests efficiently.
2. Physical Pest Control
For minor infestations, professionals often use tools like snap traps or live traps to capture pests without chemicals.
3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This sustainable approach involves preventing, monitoring, and identifying pests to apply targeted, minimal-use treatments, reducing environmental impact.
4. Biological Pest Control
In some cases, experts introduce or recommend natural predators or pathogens that prey on pests, especially effective for minor infestations.
5. Heat Treatment
Particularly effective against bed bugs, this method involves raising the temperature in infested areas to lethal levels (120°F-140°F) for 2–4 hours, killing all stages of pests, including eggs.
6. Chemical Fumigation
Used mainly for large infestations, this method involves sealing the area and applying gaseous pesticides to eliminate pests thoroughly.
7. Fogging on Pests
Professionals sometimes use chemical-infused fogging that is safe for humans but lethal for pests, providing quick coverage over affected areas.
8. Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
These chemicals interfere with pests’ life cycles, preventing young pests from reaching maturity and reproducing.
DIY Pest Control with Home Remedies
DIY methods are often more effective for preventing pests and managing minor infestations. Here are some of the most popular home remedies used by UK households:
| Home Remedy | Target pests & Application Method |
| Vinegar | Ants, Squirrels, etc. Mix with an equal part of water and spray |
| Essential Oils | Rodents, Squirrels, Bed Bugs, Flies. Put a few drops on cotton balls and place them in pest-infested areas |
| Diatomaceous Earth | Ants, Cockroaches, Bed Bugs, and Fleas. Dust thin lines along infested areas |
| Boric Acid/Borax | For cockroaches, ants, and termites. Mix with sugar or flour and sprinkle. |
| Baking Soda and Sugar | Ants, Flies, and Cockroaches. Mix them and place in shallow dishes near infested areas |
| Garlic and Chilli Pepper | All pests. Crush and mix with water into a paste. Then spread. |
| Soap/Detergents | Mites, Fleas, Flies, etc. Mix with water and spray |
| Salt | Slugs, Snails, and Fleas. Sprinkle on the ground and over the carpet. |
Pest Infestation Control: Professional Vs DIY
Regardless of whether you decide to hire a professional or go the DIY route, selecting the appropriate strategy for your infestation is vital. Making the wrong choice can lead to costly and damaging consequences. Often, people confuse the two approaches, which allows pests to exploit the hesitation.
So, let’s break down the main differences between professional and DIY pest control methods:
| Feature | Professional Pest Control | DIY Pest Control |
| Ideal for | Large and Severe Pest Infestations in residential and commercial properties. | Minor Pest Infestation in Households |
| Products They Use | Pesticides, Heating Machine, Fogging Machine, Snap Traps. | Home Remedies(Essential Oils, Vinegar, Diatomaceous Earth, Boric Acid, Chilli Pepper, Baking Soda, Soap/Detergents, etc) |
| Methods | Spraying, Heating, Fogging, Fumigation, Sprinkling | Cages, Bait Traps, Snap Traps, Predators |
| Advantages | ▪️Provides guaranteed, secure pest extermination safely with long-term prevention. ▪️Uses professional-grade products that can’t be found in any retail stores. | ▪️Lower Upfront costs. ▪️Allows using home remedies that are easily available. ▪️Flexible and don’t need any schedule or booking. ▪️ Environment-friendly. |
| Drawbacks | ▪️Higher Upfront costs. ▪️Requires pre-booking and pre-scheduling. ▪️A wrong exterminator can scam you or perform improper extermination. | ▪️It’s a temporary fix and requires a lot of time. ▪️May cause health and safety risks. ▪️Misdiagnosis or improper application can escalate pest infestation. |
How To Prevent Pest Infestation?
Prevention is the top defence. Before those pesky nuisances infest your space again, take these measures:
- Seal all cracks and holes using metal or wire mesh.
- Vacuum frequently and declutter your home.
- Store food securely in airtight containers and keep trash covered.
- Remove any leftover food and standing water sources.
- Avoid leaving dishes outside overnight without washing.
- Keep bushes and tree branches trimmed away from your roof and walls.
In Conclusion
Pest infestations can be draining, especially when your efforts don’t seem to work at first. You may wonder how to get rid of pest infestations. How?
Once you implement a solid plan, preventing future infestations is much easier. The key is finding an effective strategy to eliminate these pests once and for all.
Since hiring a professional pest controller is often necessary, make sure to choose a certified expert with the essential accreditations to ensure the job is done right.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Proven Methods To Eliminate Pests
What Is The Most Effective Way to Get Rid of Pests?
A combination of non-chemical techniques, targeted chemical treatments, and preventive measures works best for pest control.
What Is The Hardest Infestation to Get Rid of?
Bed bugs, rodents, cockroaches, and termites tend to be the most challenging due to their tenacity and hiding behaviours.
What Is The Best Eradication Method for a Major Infestation?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the top method, blending physical, chemical, and biological controls in a tactical plan.
Why Shouldn’t You Squish Bugs?
Squishing can release alarm pheromones that attract more pests like ants, and it can also spread bacteria, cause stains, and generate odours.
Can Bedbugs Live In Your Hair?
No, bedbugs do not live in hair because their flat bodies and legs prevent them from crawling into hair strands or follicles.
How Long Does It Take to Clear Out an Infestation?
It can take from a few days to several months, depending on the pest and the infestation size.