No matter where you live, and no matter how clean you are, it’s impossible to completely avoid pests in your home. Everyone sees the occasional spider or mosquito from time to time. But if you aren’t careful, the occasional can turn into the regular. Pest infestations can happen quickly, but these tips can drastically reduce the chance of an infestation in your home.
Take a comprehensive approach to pest control — both outside your home and inside.
Inside Your Home
Swipe Away Clutter
Common house pests – like rodents and insects – love warm, enclosed spaces. Think about that pile of old clothes you meant to drop off at the donation center… last year! Or that stack of magazines with dog-eared pages you meant to file.
Even the most organized person in the world has clutter somewhere. It’s inevitable. But don’t let it take over. Do a regular, thorough job of eliminating as much clutter as you can (and preventing it from happening again!). Staying on top of clutter is going to be a lifelong challenge, but the better you get at keeping clutter at bay, the fewer places you’ll offer to pests looking for a home.
As you declutter, remember to dust all surfaces. Yes, that includes underneath the lamp and picture frames.
Use the Right Containers for Storage
Do you store out-of-season sports equipment in a cardboard box? Might want to rethink that decision since spiders and silverfish will build nests in cardboard boxes. Purchase sturdy storage containers for anything you need to store.
Inspect Your Windows and Doors
If there’s an opening into your house, pests will find it. Thwart their efforts by inspecting your doors, windows, window screens, crawl spaces, and attics. When you find a hole or crack, seal it up.
Store Your Food Properly
Your food belongs to you – not to the bugs and rodents. Stake your claim by storing all of your food in airtight containers. And remember your goal to work on your clutter? Put the food away after you’re done using it so you don’t have to kick a family of bugs out of your kitchen.
Remember Your Pet Food
Pet food that’s left out is a favorite of rodents and insects. Don’t make your beloved pet share its food with a line of ants. Use elevated bowls for your pet food.
Outside
The Dangers of Standing Water
Standing water is just bad news. You see a puddle that sticks around for a few days and a mosquito sees a lovely breeding ground.
Mosquitos really aren’t a laughing matter, as their bite can transfer deadly diseases. Protect yourself and your family by getting rid of standing water to get rid of mosquitos. Fix those areas of your lawn where puddles never seem to disappear, and check for less-obvious places like your rain gutters.
Store Wood Properly
Store wood far away from your home, garage, or sheds to keep termites, wood-boring beetles, bees, and wasps from moving into your home.
Garden Away from Your Home
Plant your garden at least 3 feet away from your home. Insects that are attracted to plants shouldn’t get free reign to wander into your house.
Your work will never be done when it comes to keeping pests away, but it will always be worth it. With careful consideration, you can make your home uninviting to the little critters and avoid infestations. But even with the best-laid plans and work, there are times when pests still find their way in. If you find yourself in this situation, bring in a professional pest control company such as Spott Pest Prevention.
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