When There’s No Pest to Treat: Why We Won’t “Spray and Pray”

Every so often, someone reaches out to us because they’re experiencing something truly distressing: itching, crawling sensations, strange specks on surfaces, or even the feeling of invisible bugs biting them. It’s uncomfortable, unnerving, and incredibly frustrating - and our heart goes out to anyone going through it.

But here's the truth: if there’s no pest problem, there’s nothing we can legally or ethically treat.

What If There’s Nothing There?

We’re a licensed pest control business, which means we operate under strict legal and professional guidelines. We’re only allowed to treat pests that are:

1. Visible or clearly identifiable
2. Specifically listed on the product label
3. Present in a way that justifies treatment

So when someone asks us to spray for things like:

• Dust mites (which are microscopic and naturally present in all homes)
• Invisible bugs or biting insects that no one can see
• "Black specks" or fibres with no identifiable pest attached
• General sensations of crawling, biting, or stinging

We have to say no - not because we don’t care, but because it’s not a pest control issue.

We Don’t “Spray and Pray”

Applying products when no pest is present isn’t just ineffective - it’s irresponsible and potentially illegal. It goes against everything we stand for.

Here’s why:

• Spraying without a target pest risks your health and safety
• It can cause chemical interactions if you’ve already used DIY sprays
• It may worsen the problem or reinforce a mistaken belief that a treatment is needed
• And most importantly - it puts our licence and reputation at risk

We don’t “spray and pray.” We diagnose, identify, and treat based on evidence. Always.

So… What Is Causing It Then?

If there’s no pest, what’s going on? Over the years, we’ve seen many cases that turned out to be something else entirely:

• Reactions to laundry powder, cleaning products, deodorants, or soaps
• Medication changes - particularly blood pressure meds, cholesterol drugs, or hormone therapy
• Sensitivity to fabrics, light, or static electricity
• Using multiple off-the-shelf pest control products that interact badly
• Perimenopause and menopause, which can trigger skin dryness, itchiness, and nerve sensitivity
• Underlying medical conditions that affect the skin or nervous system

Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can do is pause, avoid further treatments, and speak with your GP. A fresh set of eyes and a full-body approach can make all the difference.

What We Will Do

• We’ll listen to your concerns with empathy and without judgement
• We’ll review any photos or samples you can provide
• If we can identify a pest - we’ll absolutely treat it
• If we can’t - we’ll be honest about why, and we’ll point you in a better direction

We’re here to protect people, homes, and the environment. That includes not applying pesticides where they don’t belong.