Bugs, insects, rodents and other pests are a huge nuisance all year round. The best way to fight off any unwanted visitors is to be prepared. Whether you’re concerned for the exterior or interior of your home, the less pests feeding and breeding outside, the less issues you will have inside.
It’s important to eliminate the conditions in your home that appeal to pests, in order to reduce the likelihood of them entering and damaging your home. Instead of waiting for an insect, rodent or bird to invade your home, here’s how to keep your home pest-free for good, by implementing these 10 easy tips.
Shut Down And Remove Food Sources
Pests can often be found anywhere there is food, so it’s crucial to cut off any supply to food if you want to keep your house pest-free. If opened bags and boxes cannot be completely closed, be sure to store any food into a resealable bag or plastic container, to keep pests away from any stored products in the kitchen.
It’s vital to keep the kitchen tidy and clean up thoroughly after meals, while being sure to throw away any stale or uneaten foods. Be sure to also keep your garbage sealed away, so that pests search elsewhere for sustenance.
Consider Water And Drains
Pests often need water and a food source when searching for the perfect home to stay in. Sink and floor drains often accumulate gunk and debris, which attracts pests and provides an ideal breeding site for small flies.
Rodents will seek out a water source, while many insects are attracted to damp, cool areas. Water is essential for mosquitoes on the other hand, as they need stagnant pools to breed. Be sure to inspect and maintain your sinks, tubs, basement and laundry room floor drains to keep pests away.
Keep Clean
In addition to keeping food stored properly and water drains maintained, it’s essential to keep things clean and areas uncluttered. Pests are known to thrive in areas that are unkempt and dirty.
Attics and basements are just a couple of favourite pest areas.
Be sure to vacuum your home on a daily basis, while conducting a deep clean on your home at least once every couple of months.It’s crucial not to give pests a place that they can hide and thrive in.
Turn Off or Replace Lighting
Insects are drawn to light sources, so it’s important to turn off your lights inside or near any entrances like doors and windows. Alternatively, you could consider using different bulbs or automatic lights.
Be sure to replace standard mercury vapour lights with high-pressure sodium vapour or halogen lights, to reduce flying insects around doors and windows. Flying insects are also least attracted to bulbs with pink, yellow or orange tints.
Perform Regular Spot Checks
It’s important to take preliminary precautions to ensure pests are kept away. Be sure to be on the lookout for possible signs of infestation, while performing regular checks around the home. It’s wise to keep in mind and focus on problem areas where pests like to hang out. Attics, basements, laundry rooms, garages and your backyard are all trouble spots.
Be sure to always remain vigilant for any signs of pests, as it’s easier to overcome a problem and nip it in the bud, once it’s been dealt with early.
Perform Regular Lawn Maintenance
A well-maintained yard is just as important as a well-kept home when it comes to preventing the invasion of pests in your home. A wide variety of insects like ticks, mosquitoes and stink bugs thrive in overgrown gardens.
If you want to keep rodents and pests at bay, it’s vital to look after your property by regularly cutting your lawn and tending to your garden.
Store Recycled Items Properly
Pests rarely care for your eco-friendly lifestyle, so when storing recyclable items, it’s important to remember to store your recycling bins outside and away from your home. Rodents can be known for exploring and searching through recycling and trash containers.
Be sure that all containers are thoroughly rinsed and that all recycling bins are equipped with a tight-fitting lid. Additionally, always ensure that you regularly clean out your recycling garbage to help keep flies away.If you are overrun with pests rummaging through your recycling bins, you can always get rid of them by obtaining the services of a pest control company. If you are a business owner experiencing a pest problem, there are also commercial pest control services available.
Remove Wood Piles
Wood piles are an attractive place for a variety of pests and wildlife to hide in. These dark and cool places can often be a breeding ground for heavily destructive termites, while dangerous breeds of snakes could also wander into these areas.
It’s essential that if you do store any wood, to always keep it at least 20 feet away from your home.
Seal Any Gaps
Cracks and gaps can sometimes only be visible from inside your house. Be sure to check behind kitchen cabinets, fridges and stoves for any gaps that are 1/4 of an inch in size or greater. Wall junctures between the walls and floors can also be key areas, while pipes, floor and dryer vents will also require any gaps to be sealed properly.
Inspect Everything You Bring Home
It can be easy to forget that we ourselves can be the biggest culprits for bringing pests in. Insects often end up inside our homes by simply latching onto our clothes or pets without us knowing. Be sure to stay mindful of what you may be bringing into the home. Whether it’s groceries or decor materials, pests could be hiding unknowingly anywhere.
Pests such as ticks can easily latch onto animals, while bed bugs are capable of hiding in your luggage. It’s essential to carefully inspect anything you bring into your home to make sure you don’t get overrun by pests you’d rather avoid.
Rather than finding pests breeding and thriving in your home, it’s always better to keep pests out before they’re able to cause any damage. With these easy hassle-free steps, you could keep your home pest-free and immaculate all year round.
