You can buy heavy locks and CCTV cameras to keep thieves and unwanted elements away from your home compound. However, when it comes to pests and insects, all these measures are insignificant.
The fact that pests are small creatures makes it easy for them to enter your house through crevices, cracks, and any other small openings. At the same time, there are various measures that you can put in place to protect your home from these creatures.
Block Cracks and Crevices
Slugs and cockroaches hide in dark and damp areas then show up in your house at night. To avoid this, inspect the entire home for possible cracks, crevices, and gaps that can let in these creatures. Check for foundation cracks, missing roof shingles, and loose siding.
Also, look for gaps around utility lines without forgetting the pipes, electrical, and cable wiring. Once done, seal any gaps around the door and windows using the copper mesh, sheet metal, or mortar. Avoid the caulk because most pests can chew it apart.
Check for Pests on Your Pets
If you have any pets, the most common insects in the household are usually the pet’s fleas. Even so, biting bugs can also infest your dogs and birds. Flea bites are generally very itchy on human beings and can also cause eczema. In that case, ensure that you use the best flea treatment on your pet regularly.
Moreover, wash your pet’s food dishes frequently and also their bedding every fortnight. Additionally, vacuum the areas that your pet regularly stays with a reliable suction vacuum cleaner.
Make use of the pesticides
Another way you can protect your home from pests and insects is by using pesticides. These chemicals are effective in killing snails, cockroaches, and ants, among others.
In cases of ant-infestation, try out some of the best ant killers in the market; you won’t regret it. You can find some of these pesticides in most supermarkets and vet shops.
Utilize the mousetrap
One of the most important means of getting rid of pests, such as mice, is by using a mouse trap. With the best mouse traps in the market, mice infestations will never be a problem in your house again.
For effective elimination, use different types of traps even if you think you are dealing with only one mouse. For instance, you can try out bait traps, glue traps, and multiple capture live traps.
With that, you will have a better chance of catching all the mice since some of them are familiar with certain types of traps and, therefore, know how to avoid them.
Keep your house tidy
Anywhere where there is food and water can become home to pests and insects. So, the best way to avoid this is by ensuring your house is clean at all times. You can achieve this by washing the dishes every night after dinner, wiping away crumbs, sweeping or vacuuming the floor, taking out the trash, and also cleaning up spills immediately.
Also, clean the microwave and toaster regularly and throw any scraps and packaging away. Additionally, make sure that you store cereals, rice, and grains in airtight containers. Keeping any opened food containers in the refrigerator is also an excellent idea if you want to keep the insects away.
Lastly, avoid cluttering up your home because it can become an insect’s paradise; they can turn it into their hiding place. So, ensure that you recycle unused boxes and newspapers immediately and keep things away as soon as you are done using them.
Keep your yards tidy
Leaf litter, mulch, and garden debris can harbor insects. To avoid this, eliminate mulch from your home’s foundation and also get rid of any accumulated organic matter. Mow your lawn regularly and always keep it short.
Eliminate any plants at the end of their growing season and also clean-cut the perennials appropriately during the autumn season. Furthermore, cut your tree branches because once they come into contact with your house, they will turn into a bridge for the insects with quick and easy access to your home.
Keep your eyes open
Pests and insects can have otherworldly abilities such as flying and surviving the apocalypse. However, they can never materialize out of nowhere. So, look out for those warning signs and probable hiding areas to avoid more problems.
For instance, you can start by checking for any signs of ants. These pests tend to send out scouts to assess the areas in your home before they invite their friends over. Therefore, finding one or two ants in your house is enough to alert you.
Another trick is to check outside for possible hangout areas for the bugs. For example, you can get termites and ants in firewood. So, store your wood at least 20 meters away from your home.
As for the mosquitoes, ensure to get rid of any stagnant water from your compound. Without it, the tiny creatures cannot breed.
Fix the Leaks
Most insects require a certain amount of humidity to survive. So, you have to fix any leakage in your home to avoid an infestation.
Condensation pipes and plumbing leaks are all sources of moisture that can attract these insects. To make things easier, install effective drainage systems and also run the dehumidifiers as much as possible.
Clean the Trash Bins
Despite your trash being in plastic bags, there is a possibility of having torn bags or spills every now and then. Therefore, ensure that you clean the bins to get rid of the smells and sticky substances that may attract insects.
You can also make use of bleaching solutions several times a year to clean the outdoor cans thoroughly. This is especially crucial if you keep these containers near your house.
Install siding
A bunny is cute until it eats away at your electrical wires and plumbing. The pests tend to get in your house when the vinyl siding is not installed to the ground. However, ensuring the siding is probably installed can slow down or even stop the critters from getting into your home.
Insects and pests can be a nuisance. From insect bites to damaging your clothes and furniture, it is no doubt that these creatures can be a pain in the neck. You can utilize the tips mentioned above to keep your home safe and pest- and insect-free.
Resources— Sears Home Services, Good Housekeeping, ThoughtCo, Considerable, Terminix
