03/25/2026
Pest control myths vs facts;
1. "Gassing gophers eliminates them all." -this is a myth, gassing gophers has a chance to eliminate only what is currently present in the tunnel system at the time of treatment, given that all holes are covered up and gas is not escaping. The moment gophers detect smoke, they will often pop out of the tunnel system and scurry off to dig a new system to escape. This also carries a risk of secondary exposure to neighboring yards where pets may be present. It's important to follow state law when attempting to do this yourself.
2. "Cottonballs soaked in peppermint will keep rats and mice away from my car's wiring." -rats and mice will do whatever it takes to survive, if they need shelter they will move from your car's engine bay into your air filters and anywhere else they can fit into (anywhere that is a tenth to a quarter inch wide), exacerbating the situation even further. The first step to kicking them out of your engine bay as they nest is to crack your hood open for 3-7 days overnight to keep it cold so they do not have the warmth they seek, then contact a pest professional to rid the population from your property as they will continue to come back to make their way back into it. Keeping your hood cracked open permanently is not ideal, and setting glueboards on your engine bay will often get moved around by rats as it will not kill them immediately and can slip into your vehicles components and cause further troubles for your mechanic.
3. "Trapping rodents will get rid of whatever is there." -Trapping rodents will only get rid of what you catch, bare in mind if there is one on your property, there is more than likely another waiting to take it's place. Rats and mice have a gestation period of 21 days, and they are a structured heiarchy made up of alphas, betas, and zetas. They are constantly looking to replace another if one happens to disappear. Trapping an entire population that continues to quickly grow will become a never ending feat, and 9 times out of 10 they will win that war if there are more than one present in the area.
4. "There are humane ways to get rid of pests." -This is a valid concern to have, and one we wish truly existed. Unfortunately, in most cases the end goal is still the same: to quickly and effectively rid your property of pests. Fortunately, the products we do carry do just this, and the results are almost immediate backed by science and not what was heard through the grapevine. While many chase eco products, and they may be better for the environment, eco product active ingredients typically only remain active up to 28 days. If you don't have a monthly treatment plan, you're wasting money. Treating with chemicals outside of eco is just as safe, as long as it is measured and applied properly by a knowledgeable professional, and you are informed prior of how to keep you and the family safe, including pets. Unless we're caging larger animals and relocating them, this statement is a myth for most all pests. Repellents and eco products still kill, that is the unfortunate truth.
5. "Sonar stakes work well to repel rodents" -this is a half truth, in order for sonar to work as it should, your property must already be rid of rodents. It is a repellent in the sense that it repels what isn't there, and proper placement around the exterior perimeter must be placed every 10-30 feet in order to stand the slightest of a chance. Present pest activity will move through their usual routes, at a more confused pace and will ultimately create more holes, mounds, and directions of travel to other areas of your property. Rodents are survivors, they will always find a way if not properly addressed.
These are just some of the myths we hear, and we see these scenarios play out all of the time. Our goal is to keep you properly informed, keep you safe, and keep you from pulling your hair out trying out what you heard on a group forum or the like. The pest control industry generally knows what's up, but many won't speak on it. We will.
So for our longest ever made Facebook post you must be asking yourself what you can do? Contact a professional, whether that be us or not, just be sure they are truly professional because pests are not a game and they cause damage in more ways than one. Physical, mental, emotional, and financial damage. At the very least, give us a call. We chase truth and we show it in our work. Join our family today and save money and the headaches, if you choose.
Take $70 OFF your initial first general pest service when you call between now and April 1st. That's $80 to get started with a team who cares.
