5 Myths About Pests

While many of the myths about pests started out as truths or what were thought to be truths, many of them quickly evolved into something much grander. Learn the truth behind each of these myths so that you can better protect your home and belongings from intruding pests.

Myth 1: Mice Love Cheese

Mice, in fact, do not have a particular fondness for cheese. Instead, they love all things sweet including cereal and chocolates. Using a sweet substance on a mice trap will be far more effective than any cheese.

Myth 2: Daddy Long Legs Are Poisonous

This myth has been around for years. The idea is that these spiders carry some of the most dangerous venoms in the world, but their fangs are too short to deliver the deadly bite to humans. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, what you commonly thought of as the daddy long leg spider may not even be a spider at all. There are two classifications, daddy longlegs (which belong in the Opiliones order) and daddy long leg spiders.

Myth 3: Rats are Unhygienic

Rats may not be just a sign of an unkempt house. These rodents spend a good 60% of the time cleaning themselves. They will enter into homes and areas where they can find food, not necessarily just homes that are filthier than others. Keeping a clean home is not the only thing that must be done to protect against these rodents, there are other steps that must be taken to keep rodents out of your home.

 Myth 4: Bed Bugs are Only Found in Dirty Homes

Bed bugs are one of the most resilient bugs around. Even the cleanest home can become victim to a bed bug infestation. While keeping your home clean is important, even the cleanest of places can fall victim to a bed bug infestation. Be aware of this, checking the sheets and mattress whenever you check into a hotel.

 Myth 5: Fleas Will Die Without Their Host

 Depending on the stage of life the flea is at, they can live without a host. In fact, they can reside in the carpet of an uninhabited home for quite some time before finding another host. Once they have left their current host, they will become more aggressive in seeking out a new one, looking to latch onto any new food source.

Be aware of the myths associated with pests, and learn the truths behind them. This will help you devise a more effective plan to rid your home of any infestations, as well as keep the bugs and rodents out in the first place.