Have you ever experienced a pest infestation at home? Maybe you noticed an ant colony, a rat invasion, or a bed bug infestation? Pest infestations are not only undesirable because of the unsightly nature of most bugs but they are also a real health threat to you and your loved ones. The best way to deal with pests once they are in your home is to call a pest control professional and rely on their advanced technology and processes for pest elimination.
However, there are also a few things that you can do to prevent letting pests in the house in the first place. In this article, we’ll share with you tips on preventing pest infestations at home.
Tips to protect your house against pests
Taking measures early on will ensure that your home remains free of pests and safe for you and your family members. Here are some things that you can do.
1. Inspect for cracks and gaps
As you can imagine, pests rarely just walk in through the front door. They find hidden cracks and gaps around the property where they can enter unnoticed and remain hidden. Although doors and windows are popular entries for bugs and rodents, experts as Tampa pest control company mentioned that it’s advisable to check the whole house for small openings that could let them in. Look for crevices and foundation cracks, loose siding, missing roof shingles, and others. You can closely examine for openings around the utility lines like pipes, electric wiring, and cables. If you spot any imperfections, make sure to carefully seal them using copper mesh, coarse steel wool, sheet metal, or mortar.
2. Keep the food away
Most pests are attracted to the smell of food and if there is any left out in the house or the backyard, you can certainly expect unwelcome guests. Ants, roaches, rodents, and bees are among the pests that truly appreciate food, especially fruity flavours. Ensure that you throw away any food leftovers and dispose of your bins regularly. Tuck away food in its designated area, either in the fridge or a sealed box. Clean your trash cans often to make sure that there are no food juices left behind to attract pests. Especially if you’ve had friends for a barbeque in the backyard or the deck, make sure everything is thrown out afterwards.
3. Clean your home
It’s a fact that pests are normally attracted to dirty and poorly maintained home environments. The cleaner your living space is, the less likely you are to suffer from a pest infestation. This means regular vacuum cleaning to prevent food crumbs from sticking to your carpets, mopping to get rid of any odours that are attractive to pests, disinfecting the kitchen counters, and more. Make sure you clean your dishes and never leave them sitting in the sink with food leftovers for days. This is bound to attract at least an ant colony who is interested in stealing the food. Additionally, by regularly cleaning the house you can inspect whether you’ve had any pest entrances and find a solution quickly before they start spreading and taking over your environment.
4. Clean your drains
Apart from the standard house cleaning that you should keep in mind for pest prevention, it’s also important to make sure your drains are clean and disinfected. Oftentimes, drains store gunk, debris, and filth, which could be an invitation for pests to establish their living habitats in. Such places are also ideal for breeding and reproducing for small bugs and insects like flies. Make a time schedule of when you’ve last inspected your laundry room and basement drains. If you’re looking for tips on cleaning the drains, you could create your own drain cleaner by using vinegar and baking soda.
Keep the pests away
Taking these steps to pest infestation prevention will help you protect your home and your family members. If you do notice even a single bug, insect, or larger rodent, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a reliable pest control company that can help you solve the problem quickly.