We'll be honest, there is no perfect way to keep all bugs out of your house. However, there are a few simple steps you can follow that will stop a majority of them from getting into your home.
Pests appreciate a lovely home for the same reasons that you do. They're looking for food, water, and a place to stay. They'll move in if they can discover these in your home. Ants, cockroaches, earwigs, firebrats, flies, house centipedes, silverfish, and spiders are all common household pests. Each of these pests can appear at various times throughout the year, and some are more problematic in specific sections of the country than others.
Below are five simple methods you can adopt to keep your home pest-free:
1. Keep pests out by securing the perimeter of your house
Working from the outside to eliminate a pest infestation is the most effective method. However, any connection between your home and the vast outside can be problematic. Bugs will enter through anywhere; windows, vents, pipes, chimneys, and roof shingles.
Repair any damage that could lead to an entry point, such as broken window screens or drooping weather-stripping. Fill minor cracks with caulk or more significant gaps with steel wool if you detect open spots near pipes or vents.
2. Keep your house clean
Pests have a bad reputation because they like to hang out in messes. So cleaning your home, especially the kitchen, where crumbs and other potential treats hide, is the greatest method to keep pests away.
Vacuum at least once a week. Also, if you don't feel like throwing trash out, make sure your bins are covered or sealed. Cockroaches enjoy the smell of paper and despise light, so keep clutter to a minimum in areas where bugs can cluster, such as piles of magazines, boxes, or bags.
3. Don't turn your home into a feast for insects
How can you get rid of an unwelcome human guest in your home? First, make your home as uninviting as possible. The party is over when the snacks are put away! Pests are the same way. They come to eat, so store food in locked containers or the refrigerator.
Fresh fruits make a wonderful table centerpiece, but they attract bugs, particularly fruit flies. Finally, don't forget about the pet bowls. If you don't want to buy your next pet an ant farm, keep them clean.
4. Fix any leaks
Water is doubly hazardous in terms of attracting pests. Wet places serve as a breeding ground as well as a water source. The obvious culprit is a sink full of dirty dishes and standing water but look for it in less obvious places.
Leaky pipes can be found beneath the sink or in the bathroom. If they are, you should contact a plumber. Basements and attics, for example, can be moist. Consider using a dehumidifier if you see excessive moisture in these places.
5. Recognize when your attacker has you beaten
You did everything you could, but sometimes those pests still find their way into your home.
If you're still finding pests in your home, it's time to call in the professionals. Call your Local Buy Guy today and let our pest control technicians help rid your home of pests for good with our monthly prevention plans.