Five mistakes when choosing a product
Disappointment with a product usually begins in the store.
Most complaints about pest control products originate not when the products are used, but when they are purchased. Here are five common mistakes that recur year after year.
Choosing a general-purpose product when a specialised one is needed. A product labelled for "insects" will control many species, but a formulation designed for a specific pest will almost always work better. Versatility is a compromise, and the price is reduced efficacy.
Not checking which types of premises it is intended for. Products for industrial facilities and residential premises differ both in concentration and in their application requirements. Buying "something stronger" and using it at home is a bad idea, and not only for safety reasons: according to their instructions, many such formulations simply cannot be used in residential premises.
Ignoring the coverage area and application rate. One tube of gel is designed for a specific area. Spreading it thinly across the entire house is a sure way to get no result and conclude that the product does not work.
Buying only the product. A fumigator without liquid refills, a trap without a glue insert, or bait without a station for safe placement is only half a solution — and half a solution does not work.
Not checking the expiry date. Pest control products have one, and it matters: expired bait becomes less attractive, while the active ingredient loses potency. The same applies to leftovers from the previous season found in a cupboard.
The principle that saves the most time is to read the instructions before buying, not after the product has failed. They contain all the essential information, from target pests and types of premises to application rates and precautions.
