Pests are best avoided. Once in the house, they can be very difficult to get rid of. They multiply very quickly, and many pests carry dangerous diseases. Pests are an absolute hassle that can cost you hundreds or even thousands in repairs, depending on the species and the severity of the problem. Check out the top 5 ways you can avoid pests below. If you need help, reach out to Pest Control Peterborough or another professional near you.
1. Exclude the House
One of the most straightforward ways you can avoid an infestation is to block pests out of the home. Insects and mice slither in through whatever gaps they find, like broken window screens or gaps surrounding the cable lines. They may even crawl under your doors to the outside.
Take a good look at the exterior walls of your home and seal every opening you find. Look closely under the deck and between siding panels. Seal cracks with caulking and cover vents with mesh. You can even plug weep holes with stainless steel covers from the hardware store.Finally, you should replace all your broken window screens and put weather stripping on the bottoms of your doors.
2. Practice Good Hygiene
Pests are attracted to warm homes that smell like food. Keep the house clean to reduce this smell and make the home a little less attractive. Store pantry items in airtight containers and keep your appliances clean. Vacuum and mop regularly and clean up the kitchen before the end of the day. Don’t leave anything out overnight, like pet food or garbage. Finally, you should use lidded garbage cans and tie down your bins with bungee cords so thatrats, wasps and raccoons can’t get at them.
3. Be Wary of Bed Bugs
Inspect your belongings carefully when you return home from a trip. Bed bugs are unfortunately very common in hotel rooms. If you go to a laundromat, dry your clothes at the hottest allowable temperature and don’t let them linger in the machine. Bag your laundry immediately and fold everything at home. You should also be careful when purchasing used furniture. Inspect the piece thoroughly before you bring it home.
4. Maintain the Yard
Pests come from outside. Keeping the yard tidy removes hiding spots and makes pests a little less likely to invade your space. So, mow the lawn every week and get rid of weeds. In the fall, you should rake the leaves and ensure that there are no leaf piles on the side of the house. Cut tree branches so they don’t hang over the roof and trim shrubs. The neater the yard, the better.
5. Use Deterrents
There are lots of deterrents available in stores, as well as DIY solutions you can make yourself. For bugs, you can use a perimeter spray, which you apply on the home’s outer walls, particularly around the doors and window frames. This is one of the best ways to keep away bugs that want to come crawling into the home perishes.
If you want to take a more natural approach, you can try spraying essential oil mixtures. Lavender, for example, works well against mosquitoes and spiders. Mice and other rodents dislike the smell of peppermint. Mix a few drops of essential oil with a cup of water and a drop of dish soap and spray the solution around your windows and doors to help keep pests away. Reapply after it rains.
Call a Pest Control Company for Help
Did you know that pest control companies offer pest-proofing services as well? They can inspect your property and address every vulnerability for you. Some companies even offer warranties with this service, so a technician will return and fix the problem if a pest breaks through their pest-proofing. Many companies offer perimeter sprays, too, which help keep bugs out all summer long. Taking these preventative measures will cost you less than it would treat an existing problem. Try calling an expert today if you need help.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
