Pest Control Myths You Should Stop Believing

People talk about pest control like they talk about weather. Everyone has a theory. Most of them are myths. Let’s clear a few up so you don’t waste time, money, or peace of mind.

Myth 1: Pests die off in winter, so you can stop service.

Pests don’t die just because it gets cooler. In Southern California, winter temps stay warm enough for bugs to survive. They move into walls, attics, garages, insulation, and drains. You don’t see them, but they’re still active.

Myth 2: One spray fixes everything.

A one-time spray kills some adults. Eggs, larvae, and hidden colonies stay alive. Those stages restart infestations fast.

Myth 3: DIY products work the same as professional treatments.

Store sprays knock down visible bugs for a few hours. Professionals use baits, growth regulators, perimeter barriers, and crack-level applications. These treatments target nests and life cycles, not the ones you spot in the moment.

Myth 4: Spiders mean your home is clean.

Spiders don’t show up because your home is spotless. They show up because other bugs live there. Spiders hunt the bugs you don’t want.

Myth 5: Ultrasonic devices scare pests away.

Ultrasonic devices don’t remove food, water, or shelter. Roaches, ants, and rodents ignore them and keep breeding.

Myth 6: Bleach kills drain pests.

Bleach disinfects. Organic sludge in pipes stays. Drain flies and their larvae live in the sludge layer, not the surface water.

Myth 7: Pests come from dirty homes only.

Pests come from open gaps, neighbors, plumbing leaks, irrigation, landscaping, cardboard, used appliances, pantries, drains, pet food, and garages. Clean homes get pests too when conditions support them.

Myth 8: Ants eat bugs, so they’re helpful.

Ants defend aphids, spread them to new plants, and farm honeydew they secrete. Aphids destroy leaves and weaken plants while ants protect the colony.

Myth 9: Roaches avoid clean bait.

Roaches prefer easy food first. They choose grease lines, crumbs, and moisture over traps or baits when you spray strong scents on top of them. Gel bait works best when you preserve their food signal and place bait on their travel lines.

Myth 10: You only need pest control when you see bugs.

Seeing bugs means you’re late. Pest control prevents the bugs you see in spring from hatching early. Year-round service stops breeding cycles while populations are slow and hiding. You save money by preventing rebound instead of resetting infestations every season.

The Takeaway:

Myths cost you time. Pests cost you more when you give them space to breed.

If you want a plan that targets pests at every stage and keeps them from coming back, call TruPest Solutions at 951-334-5288 or fill out our form and review our Service Plans.

We serve Rialto, Fontana, San Bernardino, and surrounding areas. We inspect the source, stop the cycle, and keep pests from rebuilding their routine.