Quick question, what’s the difference between spraying the Bithor every 3-4 days as opposed to using the Multipurpose? Is it because of the straw? You think it will get in further under the wall that way? Do they stay in that area or are they on the insides of the upper wall too? If we dusted right above the molding inside the wall , is that a better solution because then any bug that walks through will die right away from suffocating as opposed to multipurpose spray residual that will kill them 2-3 days later and we will still see them crawling around?
This is a great question. And when it comes to thoroughly treating baseboards, windows and doors, the quick answer is that often times all three formulations will be needed. Here’s why.
First, understand what each formulation can do. In other words, where was it meant to be used?. When it comes to XEMPT DUST, the wall void and other hidden spaces like under electric outlet covers, crawl spaces and attics are where it excels. In these environments, it can last 1-2 yrs, cover large areas with no water needed and once in place, will repel pests from using the areas. And when it comes to many pests, these hidden voids are key areas.
The short list of pests that thrive in all of these locations includes SPRINGTAILS, CLOVER MITES, SILVERFISH, ROACHES, CARPENTER ANTS, CENTIPEDES and more. And for the small pests like springtails and clovermites, they have no need to “come out” and be seen. These voids are ideal for them to thrive and only when those populations get too large will some leave and venture into your living space. And if you are repeatedly seeing them inside close to your baseboards or around windows? They are definitely coming from the wall void, under the baseboard or from the spaces around those spots (like home siding, window frames, crawl spaces or cement slabs).
So how do you treat under a baseboard? This is where our aerosols do best. Designed to be injected to tight spaces where small pests love to live, you’ll need to inject either FS MP or MULTIPURPOSE in any space you can find under the toe molding (the space where the wall meets the floor). This space is often where they’re living. They love to feel something on their back and belly at the same time and so a tiny gap in the framing of the home will be an ideal space for them to exploit. The wall injected with dust will not reach them if they’re using such a space and whats more of a pain is that the wood there tends to absorb aerosol treatments. This means it won’t last long and so if they’re using this area, you’ll need to retreat there often and with any luck, saturate it enough to where the treatment can hold up and keep them out for long periods of time.
Side note regarding the two options… FS MP is the preferred option here. Its oil based and tends to “lock in” better leading to a more permanent long term residual. But it has an odor, much like WD-40, and so for some not their first choice. If you want something odorless, go with the Multipurpose. It won’t be as long lasting BUT you can treat as needed without having to deal with any lingering odor.
The last area to treat is where you are seeing them. Typically on the floor, baseboard molding or walls, the pests you see there aren’t actually living there AND THEY AREN’T COMING FROM OUTSIDE! At least not the small ones like clover mites or springtails. BUT if you’re seeing them in this areas, it means they are out and about looking for a new place to nest. This is why its imperative to surface spray with BITHOR. This will in turn prevent them from spreading.
Unfortunately surface spraying WILL NOT reduce the amount you are seeing because often times the source (under the baseboards or in the walls) will be releasing new ones faster than the treatment can kill them. And to most people spraying in their home, THIS IS WHERE THEY FAIL! Most people rely on the surface spray as the one treatment that should “solve” the issue when in fact its just a defensive tool designed to stop the spread. So if you want to end having to see any, you’ll need to focus on the wall voids and the space under the baseboards. Once those areas are properly treated, no pest will be able to use them for nests and so the sightings inside will be dramatically reduced if not eliminated.
And worth noting is the situation we often hear about from customers who started treating for their first time and had great success. So that first year? All is good. Some even keep treating outside during the winter and following spring BUT low and behold, at some point in spring or summer, they start seeing more inside. They are always surprised by this because they thought the outside treatments would prevent them from ever having to see them inside again. Well if they were thriving in the wall voids or under the baseboards last fall and winter? You would have never seen them until the following year when they grew in numbers and were forced to find new areas to nest. And what this means is that they never got rid of them from the first year; they only controlled the ones there were seeing but in fact nests were still abundant in hidden areas.
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