By Alex Vargas,
Modern Pest Services
It’s a warm evening in Maine. After a long winter, sunlight filters through the trees and bathes your garden in golden light, reminding you why those months of snow and cold are worth the wait – until you notice your dog is overdue for tick protection, squirrels and rodents have been assaulting your bird feeders, and a mosquito just flew into your ear.
If this scene sounds familiar, then you might be wondering: how can I keep pests out of my outdoor space without putting my pet and family at risk? You are not alone. 79% of homeowners surveyed by Modern Pest Services are concerned about pest control products being harmful to children or pets. And 1 in 5 Americans say they plan to spend time outdoors every day this summer, with nearly half (46%) saying bug concerns have stopped them from doing something outdoors.
The data speaks for itself: homeowners want to keep pets safe and pests away this season. Homeowners now have many eco-friendly and pet-safe options for managing pests inside and outside of their home.
“Every product we use is applied according to strict federal guidelines, which means we’re legally required to follow exact directions for safe and effective use,” said Dan S., a SMART/Field Specialist at Modern Pest Services in Brunswick. “The treatments themselves are designed to target the specific biology of pests. And once these products dry on a surface, they become stable and stay in place, which greatly reduces their potential to transfer to curious toddlers or pets.”
Organic Pesticides
Organic and synthetic pesticides can both be effective solutions. If you want or need to get rid of pests immediately, then traditional pest control may be your choice because it uses products that interrupt the pests’ life cycles or otherwise take care of the infestations more quickly. If you’re fine with a more gradual approach and believe organic choices are always safer and healthier, then organic pest control could be a great option for you. Substances used in organic pest control are carefully selected to eliminate pests while minimizing risks to pets and children.
Preventative Yard Care
Before you turn to pest control treatments, your landscaping can have a big effect on pest activity around your home. Simple steps like keeping the grass short, maintaining a proper wood-chip border, and eliminating standing water can make a big difference. It doesn't take much to create a problem – a tablespoon of water can yield 200 mosquito eggs!
Garden Defense
You don’t need to be an experienced gardener to make thoughtful choices about the plants around your home. In Maine, multiple tick species are active each season, and many can carry diseases that affect both people and animals. Where pets brush up against plants or spend extended time outdoors, that risk can increase. Lavender, rosemary, and marigolds are often thought to help repel insects, and they are also pet-safe choices.
Targeted Applications
61% of homeowners surveyed plan to invest in mosquito prevention this year, followed by fire ants (52%), wasps/hornets (49%), and cockroaches (38%). When it comes to preventative applications, it’s important to recognize that some areas should never be treated, which is why blanket applications are not always the right approach. Instead, targeted treatments at pest hot spots can reduce the amount of material used. These areas are often in cracks and crevices. High-contact surfaces, such as open windows and patio furniture, are avoided.
Proactive Pest Monitoring
New technology has made it possible for pest control to proactively detect pests and pinpoint intrusion areas. Rather than waiting for a problem to become visible, solutions like Modern Pest Services’ SMART Home Program use strategically placed sensors to track rodent activity patterns and provide early prevention when they are detected. This enables a more targeted response, helping to reduce unnecessary treatments and limit potential exposure for you and your pet.
With the right balance of prevention, targeted treatment, and smart technology, you can manage pests effectively without compromising your pets’ safety – creating a healthier home for every member of your family.
Alex Vargas is the Director of Marketing for Modern Pest Services in Brunswick, Maine. For more information, visit www.modernpest.com.