Get matched with top pest control specialists in Dawson, MN

You can use a homemade spray to kill fleas on a mattress. To make the spray, combine equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. Spray the mixture on the fleas and all over the mattress. Follow this up with a generous sprinkle of salt all over the mattress, and let it sit overnight. Finally, vacuum the mattress to clean up the salt, dead fleas, and flea offspring.

Leaving lights on is not an effective or foolproof method for keeping cockroaches away. While roaches are nocturnal and prefer darkness, light alone is not enough to stop them, especially if they are seeking food, water, or shelter. A bright light might temporarily discourage them, but hungry or determined roaches will often adapt and venture into lit areas. For more effective cockroach control, it is better to focus on proven prevention methods. These include maintaining cleanliness by eliminating food crumbs, sealing cracks and entry points, reducing clutter that provides hiding spots, and fixing any moisture issues. Using traps or repellents can also be part of a comprehensive strategy.

Brown recluse spiders are found in Midwestern and South Central states like Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, and Georgia. While it’s possible to find spiders from the same genus elsewhere in the country, you’re unlikely to find a brown recluse infestation outside of these designated zones. In any case, there are other dangerous spider species across the U.S., so always use caution when dealing with infestations of any kind.

Gel bait and gel bait traps use poison to kill cockroaches, and aren’t safe to use around pets. Many gel bait traps are called “child-resistant,” but this only means that the traps are hard to rip open for children. Large pets and children are still able to swallow them. If you use gel bait, use it in areas where pets and children can’t access them, such as under a washing machine. Another option is to use glue traps, which don’t contain pesticides and are safe to use around pets.