Four pest control myths cause the most trouble for homeowners: that clean homes don’t get pests, that you will always notice an infestation, that professional treatment is inherently unsafe for children and pets, and that a cat or dog will keep pests away. Each contains a grain of truth, but believing it can delay the inspection or prevention that actually fixes the problem. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company with offices in 11 states. Below, each myth is compared with what extension and public-health sources say, and Saela’s list of common fixes that don’t work covers a few more.
Myth 1: Clean homes don’t attract pests
Clean homes do get pests, because cleaning removes food and clutter but doesn’t close the gaps pests use to get inside. CDC states that how clean a place is does not determine whether bed bugs are present, and UC IPM notes that good sanitation will seldom completely control house mice, although poor sanitation can attract them and let them thrive. Keep cleaning and storing food in sealed containers, then add exclusion: seal cracks, gaps around pipes and worn door sweeps. Saela’s integrated pest management approach combines the two, sealing entry points and reducing accessible food, water and shelter.
Myth 2: You’ll always know if you have pests
Many infestations aren’t obvious, because the pests live in wall voids, soil, crawl spaces and attics where nobody looks day to day. For termites, Mississippi State University Extension notes that a building will usually have been infested for some time before any signs become obvious, and it recommends annual inspections. Droppings, gnaw marks, shed wings, mud tubes and dead insects collecting on windowsills are the clues worth checking. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection that covers structural gaps, attics and basements.
Myth 3: Pest control endangers children and pets
Professional pest control isn’t automatically dangerous for children and pets, but it isn’t risk-free either: safety depends on the product, where it’s applied and whether the label is followed. The National Pesticide Information Center suggests asking a company for the names and EPA registration numbers of the products it will use, any preparations needed before treatment, such as keeping pets and children away from the area, and whether it will discuss low-toxicity options. EPA’s advice for families is to follow label directions as written and lock pesticides out of a child’s reach. Saela’s protocols are developed by Dennis Weiss, Saela’s board-certified entomologist, who also trains its technicians and audits service quality.
Myth 4: Pets keep pests away
A cat or dog may catch an occasional mouse, but pets can’t reach rodents inside walls, under floors or in attics, and they do nothing about ants, termites or cockroaches. UC IPM notes that house mice can breed year-round when food and shelter are steady, so one caught mouse rarely means the problem is over. Store pet food in sealed containers rather than leaving it out overnight, and look for the gap the mice used. CDC’s guide to sealing out rodents notes that mice can fit through a hole the width of a pencil and recommends steel wool and caulk for small holes.
Saela’s rodent exclusion service includes inspecting for access points, repairing openings and placing traps for rodents still inside. In a February 2024 Google review, kay mccallop reported that Saela identified rodent-prevention issues and repaired them that day.
Saela quotes pest control based on pest type, location, property size, visit frequency and treatment products, so its pricing page explains how plans are set rather than listing one price.
If one of these myths has kept you from checking on a problem, book a call with Saela to schedule an inspection. QualityPro’s accredited-company directory lists Saela if you’d like to check credentials first.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
