It’s given that pests are unwelcome to people’s households for an obvious reason—these creatures bring nothing but nuisance. Unfortunately, despite the various measures to keep them at bay, certain pests can be quite stubborn and simply difficult to get rid of.
When ignored or gone unnoticed, pests can quickly multiply in great proportions, thereby resulting in heavy infestation. Calling a trusted pest control professional is the best alternative for homeowners in case infestation becomes irrepressible.
While pest control companies are there to offer us effective assistance, still we need take heed of a few important things to prevent those critters and crawlies from getting comfortable living inside our homes. Here are ten pest control tips to consider:
- Declutter.
One thing that attracts insects, pests, dust, and bacteria is having unused items lingering inside your home. You have to dispose of things like unused boxes, plastic bags, toys, shoes, baby strollers, magazines, and other stuff you no longer need. Otherwise, these objects will only provide pests a perfect sanctuary. Decluttering your house is therefore an effective method not just for ventilating your home but also for keeping pests and germs away.
- Observe proper garbage disposal.
Of course, accumulated trash never fails to invite pests to come to your home. If you want to keep disgusting pests like rodents, roaches, and ants from gaining access to your property, make it a habit to throw out your garbage on a daily basis. Aside from attracting pests, having overflowing garbage cans is the number cause for the spread of diseases. Proper garbage disposal is the key to protect your health as well as to prevent pest infiltration.
- Keep your area clean and dry.
Another potent way to discourage pests from invading your household is to maintain a clean and dry environment. A dirty and humid area is always a favorite dwelling spot for pests. Thus, you must always keep your home clean and sanitized by doing away with rubbish, food debris, and clutter. In addition, avoid having stagnant water anywhere your home to prevent mosquitoes from thriving. Mosquitoes breed in standing water and spread deadly illnesses like malaria and dengue. Hence, you must check and clean areas like gutters and anything that can be potential breeding sites for mosquitoes such as empty bottles, discarded buckets, old tires, pet dishes, barrels, laundry tanks, etc.
- Have proper plumbing maintenance.
Keeping your plumbing in good condition also helps prevent pest infestation. For example, you must make sure to check your drains for possible clogs to avoid attracting pests. Also, you must keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry at all times. A constantly damp environment may pave the way for moss formation, which can be appealing to pests and insects.
- Maintain your garden.
Untrimmed branches of trees and plants and overgrown shrubs also allow pests entry to your home. It is always best to prune your vegetation and maintain your garden well to lessen, if not eliminate, unwanted pests.
- Keep your windows screened.
Pests can easily penetrate your home through the smallest cracks and holes. That is why it is always recommended to install window screens or use nets so that pests such as flies, mosquitoes, roaches, and spiders could not come in. For more effective measures, always fix any damages (i.e. broken window panes) and seal any hole or crack found in your home to block the entry of pests.
- Vacuum regularly.
Vacuum cleaning is an especially effective bed bug exterminator. The vacuum hose can suck bed bugs and their eggs from their hiding places ( i.e. linens, curtains, beddings, cabinets, drawers, book shelves). As much as possible, vacuum all cracks and crevices as well as mattresses, walls, carpets, and floors on a daily basis. After vacuum cleaning, make sure to dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag by placing it inside a trash bag and throwing it out into a trash can far away from your house to keep the bugs from escaping and regaining entry to your household.
- Remove mulch from around your home.
Termites, in particular, are considered the most notorious when it comes to causing structural damage to your home. They feed on anything made of cellulose and mulch is one ideal example of such a food source. If you want to protect your home from termite attack, just make sure to remove any presence of mulch from your property.
- Keep outdoor objects outside your home.
Sometimes, pests find access to people’ homes through outdoor items we bring inside the house. Bringing into the house objects intended for external use such as gardening boots, bicycles, and gardening tools—especially when these things are unwashed—may accidentally be the cause of pests penetrating the interiors of our home. If possible, outdoor stuff should always be kept where they are supposed to—outside.
- Call a pest control expert when necessary.
When worse comes to worst, leaving the job to a professional is the most practical idea. Heavy infestations are something only pest control experts can solve. Hence, keep the contact information of your trusted pest control service handy.
These ten simple tips to pest control are definitely helpful in your quest to eliminate or minimize the presence of pests in your household. Make sure to apply them in your daily routine and be guaranteed of a stress-free and pest free environment at home.
