The Wackiest Pest Prevention Methods of 2014

Bug prevention is serious business. Pests cause billions of dollars in damage every year to crops, homes and businesses. Because it’s such a big economic factor, new pest prevention methods are continuously being tested. Some of them are good, some are bad and some are downright wacky.

Now that 2014 is behind us, we can look back and laugh (or cringe) at some of the kooky ways people tried to prevent bugs from becoming a problem.

Garlic and clovesVodka

Most of us are familiar with vodka as an adult beverage, but there are actually a number of uses for the alcohol. One use that was reported by Esquire earlier this year was repelling and killing bugs. It may work, but it’s a pretty pricy bug repellent.

Alcohol-Based Bug Spray and Fires

Here’s another reason to avoid using any kind of alcohol-based product for pest control. In 2014 there were two reported fire incidents in Ohio and one in Kentucky after people used alcohol-based products to try to get rid of bed bugs. The areas treated with the highly flammable sprays (and in one case straight alcohol) were accidentally ignited, setting all three homes on fire. Others have reportedly lit furniture on fire in order to eradicate the problem. Of course, all that actually does is create a serious safety hazard without solving the bed bug issue.

Sticking Termites in the Freezer

An online magazine, which shall remain nameless, suggested that people stick small furniture items that have been infested with termites in the freezer. There are two problems with this termite prevention tactic. 1.) It would have to be an industrial walk-in freezer, which most people have never even seen in person. 2.) If the furniture is infested, chances are that’s not the only place where termites are eating away.

Sending Electric Signals Through the Walls

There are numerous products that claim they can get rid of roaches by plugging in a device that will send electrical signals through the wiring of your home to keep roaches from eating and reproducing. They promise no mess, no killing, no clean up – bugs will just pick up and leave. The problem is this method hasn’t been proven effective by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission or by lab testing.

Dogs That Sniff Out Bed Bugs

This one actually does work, but who would have ever thought that it was possible for a canine to detect bed bugs with their nose? They can’t fix the problem, but they can tell you if there are bed bugs hiding in a mattress.

Eating Garlic to Deter Fleas

Some people have apparently been told that eating insane amounts of garlic will keep fleas from biting. Even if that were true,it still doesn’t address the issue of fleas living in your home.

Wristband Mosquito Repellent

People use accessories to show off their personal style, but some companies are using them as an opportunity to pitch ineffective mosquito repellent products. Numerous companies stated that wearing their wristband would somehow keep the bloodsuckers from attacking your entire body. However, last year Consumer Reports officially said the wristbands didn’t live up to their claims.

If you’d rather go with a proven pest prevention method, give Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. a call! Our pest control treatments use safe, effective formulas that are administered by certified technicians.

 

Original Source: http://www.vulcantermite.com/home-pest-control/wackiest-pest-prevention-methods-2014/