Similar to humans, pests and rodents seek a cozy haven when winter chills set in. Consequently, they might infiltrate your dwelling, especially if the aroma of food beckons. Nuisances such as cockroaches, rodents, and flies carry potential health risks for you and your family. While dealing with pests post-infestation is an option, it’s often a costly endeavor with no assured efficacy in the solutions offered. It’s prudent to proactively thwart an invasion before it occurs. To aid in this endeavor, we’ve compiled some highly effective methods for addressing pests in your residential or commercial spaces.
Dispose of Trash Regularly
It may be trash to you but pests see your trash can as an all you can eat buffet. You need to make extra effort to get rid of trash from inside your house every evening. If you have a trash service that collects trash every week, you may want to keep a large trash can outside the house or in the garage so pests don’t cross the threshold into your living space.
If you have open trash cans in your living space, consider switching to containers with covers or lids. If trash seems to be the main reason behind pest infestations, wash out food containers in the sink before throwing them away. Explore ways to reduce how much waste you produce.
Block Off Entry Points
Pest infestations only happen when the pests have a way of getting into your home. Some common pest entry points are common to fix. You can use simple solutions like screens in windows and shutting the exterior doors. To take a more proactive approach, make sure you conduct regular interior and exterior inspections to check for holes and cracks. Pay attention to the foundation, utility lines, loose siding, and the roof. If you find any holes, be sure to fill them. This can help keep pests away and ensures that the holes don’t get any bigger.
Conduct a Deep Clean
Should you suspect the existence of a potential pest concern, the present moment presents an opportune time for an extensive cleaning session. Thoroughly tidying up every nook and cranny in your living space simplifies the removal of articles that might allure pests to your premises. Apart from cleaning up crumbs, a deep clean also makes it easy to discover and get rid of potential pest breeding grounds. For instance, small flies thrive in neglected drains and using a drain cleaning solution can put an end to this.
Rethink Your Landscaping
Pests are a bigger problem inside the house but you don’t want to have them outside either. Walk through your yard while watching out for what might be attracting pests to establish a home. If you have any wood piles on your property, keep them away from your exterior walls. Clean your gutters regularly and keep the grass trimmed down. Pests can cause unimaginable damage to your home from the outside, just as much as they can from the inside. Watch out for any changes to the siding, roofing, or foundation that could point towards a pest infestation.
Don’t Forget About Soft Surfaces
Many people often ignore the soft surfaces when cleaning their homes out of fear of water damage. However, beds, rugs, couches, and more should be kept clean, just like the counters and floors. They are a conducive environment for the breeding and multiplication of bedbugs and fleas. Anything that can fit into your washing machine should get a regular sanitizing rinse. When it comes to mattresses and cushions, vacuum them thoroughly and use a disinfectant spray.
Store Food Properly
Seal off any food products in your kitchen and store them in containers with tight-fitting lids. This can keep away the smell that may attract pets to your cupboards or pantry. When preparing meals, make sure you clean up any spills immediately as they are a huge attraction for bugs. Get rid of all the trash from your kitchen after every meal since the left overs are a huge attraction for pests. If you have pets, get an indoor/outdoor pet feeder so you don’t have to put their food on the ground. Pet food is a common attraction for rodents.
Call a Professional When Necessary
There are times when you do everything to prevent pest infestations but it doesn’t work out. Worry not; catching a pest infestation before it spreads is just as good. If you notice signs of infestation in a part of your home, make sure you contact a professional exterminator. They are the best option when it comes to controlling pests. Many extermination companies work with a team of professionals and have the right tools to handle different types of pests.
Additionally, they ensure you don’t have to worry about subsequent infestations as they get rid of bed bug eggs or anything else that may cause the pests to return. After extermination, they will leave you with effective prevention tips to help you keep pests at bay.
Declutter
It is tempting to hold onto every little item you own but some of them are no good. If you have any empty boxes lying around the house or toys your children have outgrown, it may be best that you get rid of them. They serve as hotspots for insects and germs which could cause diseases. If you have old items that you no longer use, you can consider donating them or hosting a garage sale. Anything that you may never use in the coming six months such as a baby stroller, luggage, packing materials, or clothes that you have outgrown only take up valuable storage space while increasing the risk for pests.
Endnote
Unwanted guests like pests don’t just drop by for a casual visit; they bring along health concerns by adding germs and pathogens into your living space. Your optimal course of action is to proactively ward them off before they even show up. Alternatively, if an infestation does occur, addressing it promptly is crucial before it escalates. Just ensure that the measures you take not only resolve the issue at hand but also safeguard the environment in the process.
