Keeping Your Home Pest-Free
Pests can be rather frightening to discover in your home whether it’s a swarm of fleas or rats that will make you jump out of your dining room chair. Not only are infestations unhealthy, but they can also cause your home’s value to decrease. It is wise to stay several steps ahead of issues that may arise to make sure your home remains pest-free. There are several tips that you can follow to keep your home from becoming invaded by pests that can result in pest damage.
Seal all Interior Cracks
The first step in controlling pests from entering your home is to seal up all cracks in your home. Did you know that pests can enter your home through the smallest cracks? These cracks include holes in your window screens and doorways that are not properly sealed.
You should consider sealing up cracks along the baseboards in your home as well as in the corners and below all window frames. Many pests do not come out during the day, so they normally hide in small spaces until they are in need of food.
Have Your Roof Inspected
Just like your basement, there are hidden spots within your roof and attic that can cause entryway for pests to enter. Raccoons, squirrels, and other rodents can easily enter your home through entryways that are open. Other roof pests that are likely to invade your home are bees, hornets, wasps, and other insects that are looking for a warm space to huddle in the winter. Consider having a professional come out to conduct a roof inspection at least once a year.
Don’t Keep Food Lying Around
The most obvious way to keep your home pest-free is of course to keep your home clean. However, there may be some spots that you may overlook. For example, after serving your pet a meal, make sure that all bags are sealed and kept out of sight. Also, make sure to clean up your pet bowls after they have finished eating.
Consider getting creative with coming up with solutions for your garbage can. If possible, keep your wastebasket behind the closet door or cupboard whenever you can. Always make sure that you keep a lid over your wastebasket. If something needs to be thrown away that smells a bit more than usual, take the bag outside right away to prevent it from attracting pests.
Additionally, not all pests need traditional food in order to survive. For example, some pests can easily eat their way through paper packaging. Gnats and drain flies can survive off of organic material in plumbing and plants.
Watch Out for Standing Water
Everyone knows that mosquitoes cannot breed without standing water. However, there are also several other pests that enjoy standing water just as much including earwigs, silverfish, and even roaches. Check your attics and basements for any standing water and clean up immediately. You should also check your yard for standing water as well. Foundation issues and poor drainage may mean you need to call in a professional to reroute any excess water.
Familiarize Yourself With the Signs
Since preventing pests is the best way to keep them under control, knowing the signs also prevents a small issue from turning into a bigger one. Identify the types of insects that could be attacking you in your yard. Even though there are so many bugs outside your home, they can easily make their way indoors. This is especially common when the temps outside start to drop.
Schedule Treatments
Environmental pest control services can easily explain the best measures to prevent seasonal pest problems. Many insects and rodents may enter your home in the colder months for shelter and then breed as soon as the weather begins to break again. To stay ahead of common pest behaviors, consider scheduling seasonal treatments. This can also help keep your pest control costs low in the future.
Evaluate Your Landscape
Does your lawn look like it may be attractive to pests? If you notice any uncovered compost or wood that is piled up, these things can become breeding grounds for pests no matter the time of year. Consider adding some plants that are pest-repellant while you are clearing away any rubble and piles in your yard. These plants are designed to keep certain insects at bay.
Check Your Boxes
Even though this isn’t too common, but roaches and bed bugs can make their way into your home through packages and boxes. Anytime you receive a package, make sure to check the inside and the bottom of the boxes for signs of pests prior to placing them into the garbage.
As always, if you are in need of some extra assistance, you can always search for pest control services in Astoria to help you identify any problems and correct them.
