Simple Steps to Protect a House from Pests
We unintentionally make our spaces a haven for pests.
Pests are a year-round annoyance, often leaving a homeowner frustrated and uncomfortable in their space. Insects cover the entire world and represent over 90 percent of all living creatures on Earth. They can be found in just about any environment and are highly adaptable, which means wherever a person goes, they’ll likely find a pest or two.
We unintentionally make our spaces a haven for pests. But, like people, they want food and shelter. Following are some simple tips for protecting homes from pests.
Repair the plumbing
Most pests love damp areas that feature a nearby source of water. So fix any leaky pipes in bathrooms, attics, and kitchens.
Keep the kitchen clean
Pests are also on the prowl for a good, ready-made meal. Spills and dropped food make for easy pickings for pests. Even tiny crumbs and drops of bacon grease are appealing feasts. Clean up any dropped food items as soon as possible. Even a day is enough to attract insects and furry intruders.
Clean in all the small cracks and oft-ignored parts of the kitchen regularly. This step includes wiping down the sides of kitchen cupboards, behind the fridge, and the sides of the oven. Although homeowners might not notice those lost bits of food, pests certainly will.
Store food in sealed containers
Use heavy plastic containers to store food items, and ensure the lids are tightly sealed. Mice, rats, and other rodents can easily chew through cereal boxes, while smaller insects can crawl into them without much problem. Wipe the outsides of jars that feel sticky. Clean the cupboards regularly to prevent small spills from remaining for too long.
Take out the trash
Garbage emits a pungent aroma that makes the average person tear up or gag, but to pests, the smell of garbage is as enticing as a fresh batch of cookies. Avoid keeping garbage inside the home and empty trash bins often. Store trash securely outside under a heavy lid.
For those who compost, don’t place scraps of meat, fish, or cheese in the compost pile.
Keep the home tidy
Food scraps definitely attract pests, but other inedible messes are just as attractive. For example, large messes, piles of clothes, and excess clutter give pests places to hide.
Keep the pet food area clean
If a home has pets, homeowners should clear away their food dishes immediately after they’ve eaten. Clean animal dishes regularly. It may also help to elevate their food bowls a few inches off the floor, but avoid leaving them out overnight. If the pet is a messy eater, pick up any food that a pet may have dropped mid-meal.
Seal the home
Seal up entry points throughout the home, including gaps around window frames, holes in the roof, and tiny cracks in the home’s foundation. As small as those cracks might seem, they’re huge doorways to a colony of ants.
Plumbers tend to make holes too big for pipes. Mice enter through these holes quite easily. These plumbing holes can be found in airing cupboards, water storage areas, and bathrooms. Try to block the holes using caulk or bits of rolled-up aluminum foil.
Boric acid and baking soda as pest control
Dust crevices in a home with boric acid, which acts as a stomach poison for some common pests and is abrasive to insect exoskeletons. If there are pets, you may change the boric acid for baking soda for similar but safer results.
Consider herbs and plants as pest control
If fruit flies are a problem, consider purchasing Venus flytraps from the local home and garden center. These are effective, eco-friendly solutions to capture flies and insects before they can breed and create a larger population. They can be challenging to grow, though, so patience is essential.
Consider planting mint near exterior doors. The smell of mint disrupts the smelling capabilities of ants and other insects, preventing them from entering your home. Placing mint leaves in and around windows, shelves, and cupboards is also practical. Just replace the mint frequently.
Mosquitoes, midges, and other flying insects hate the smell of Citronella oil, a concentrated oil commonly used in soap, candles, and incense. Placing some dishes filled with citronella oil just outside exterior doors may limit the number of insects that try to enter.
When insects or rodents take up residence in a home, the best thing homeowners can do is contact a pest control services company for help.
San Tan Pest And Weed Control offers reliable pest control for residential and commercial customers in Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Lower Santan Village, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Gilbert, and Chandler. Our pest management services control scorpions, ants, termites, bees, wasps, fleas, rodents, cockroaches, weeds, and more. We provide attic and crawl space cleaning and home sealing services to keep pests out. Call us at (480)405-0690.
