People find all sorts of unwanted animals in their homes, from cockroaches and termites to rats and mice. While professional pest control services are the best way to rid the property of wildlife immediately, taking the professional route can be costly. Luckily there are a few things homeowners can do to control pest populations in their homes themselves, or reduce the chances of developing a pest problem in the first place through securing the property and keeping the place spic and span.
Secure the exterior
The simplest way to ensure that unwanted pests don’t get access to your home is to secure the exterior of the property. You might think that your home is a fortress but on closer inspection you’ll probably find several entry points on exterior walls, doors and windows. While your friends and family may have the courtesy to use the doorbell, tiny pests will trespass in your home once gaining access. Filling up holes and cracks can stop pests finding a way in, and correcting these problems can help to better-insulate a home.
Checking exterior walls is a great way of reducing the likelihood of a pest problem developing, what should you do if these animals have already entered your home? Once pests have established themselves it can be tricky to get them out, and once it has reached infestation level it’s best to call for professional help. If you want these pests to think about moving on you need to make your home as unwelcoming as possible for these uninvited lodgers.
Animals can’t stay residing in a home if it doesn’t provide them with the basics – food and water. Some pests can live on surprising substances. Cockroaches, for example, can find nutrition in the glue on a postage stamp. That said, removing any sources of food and water is one of the best ways of stopping a pest problem from getting worse. The dishes that many people put beneath indoor plant pots are a good example. Any standing water is refreshment for a variety of pests so ensure that these are dry.
Check the kitchen
Obviously the kitchen is the main place that rodents and insects will find the food they need to survive. Adhering to a strict cleaning rota and keeping the place spotless is sure to make it a less appealing place for pests to dwell. The smallest crumbs or splatters of food can keep pests going, so cleaning frequently and thoroughly in areas like the kitchen and dining room is the best approach. This will typically include sweeping, mopping and wiping.
If the kitchen is spotless then you might find that rodents nibble holes in food packaging in order to find some nutrition. Any food that is vulnerable to this kind of attack should be placed in secure plastic containers which they can’t nibble through. Cardboard, thin plastic and paper bags are all easy pickings for rodents.
Hopefully this article has provided some useful tips for keeping pests out of your home. It’s important to think properly about what properly represents a pest in your home. Many people don’t like spiders but having a few of them around is a good way of dealing with any flying insects. Sometimes the food chain is one of the best tools to prevent pest problems.
