Pests are a part of life for most people, and while dealing with pest infestations are often a costly and tedious process, there are ways you can help make sure your home stays as pest-free as possible. Read on to find out things you can do to help keep pests away, or if you’d rather let a professional come and take care of the problem for you, check out home pest control services in Phoenix, Arizona.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your home pest-free would be to regularly clean. While some pests can live in clean and unclean environments alike, cleaning disrupts the environment for most pests, making your home a little bit more inhospitable for them.
Food
One of the biggest factors that draw pests into your home would be a readily available source of food. Food debris from eating and cooking are often overlooked, so make sure you clean any spillage right away – small crumbs may not seem much to you, but a single crumb can be a hearty meal or meals for pests. Regularly sweep and mop floors, especially in the kitchen.
After cooking, make sure you wipe the area clean, and be sure to scrub any food that’s stuck to pots and other cooking-related surfaces. Be sure to clean areas behind stoves and fridges, because over time food debris will pile up there.
Don’t leave uneaten pet food overnight. What your pet neglects to eat, plenty of other pests will feast on when you’re sleeping.
Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Pests like cockroaches are generally nocturnal, and will only come out when the lights are off and the house is quit – and if there are dirty dishes in the sink, they’ll be sure to go over those thoroughly.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your home inhospitable for pests is to properly dispose of garbage. Take them out daily, and use garbage cans and bins with lids so pests can’t easily open them to rummage inside. Having closed garbage receptacles also means flies fewer flies.
Water
Of course, another major attraction for pests would be water. Many pests are drawn to damp spaces and humidity, and that usually means basements. If an area is seldom disturbed by humans and their pet animals, pests can easily thrive. That’s why you tend to see a lot of spiders in basements – not only is the quiet, damp environment ideal for a spider, it’s also ideal for many other pests that spiders feast on. When there are a lot of other pests, expect to see spiders preying on them too (but that doesn’t mean spiders can control your pest issues – or maybe even worse, if it results in a spider infestation).
Consider using a dehumidifier to lessen the humidity and dampness. As a bonus, having a dehumidifier can even help against mold. Some dehumidifiers can be set to turn on and off at certain hours, so you don’t have to worry about turning it on and off yourself.
Keep your house well-ventilated, and fix leaks as soon as possible as these provide a readily available source of water for many pests.
Another thing you can do is invest in pipe insulation – as some pipes can “sweat”. Insulation prevents that.
Declutter
Pests are ingenious when it comes to using your surroundings to their advantage. Clutter in and around your home serves as sanctuaries for many pests, whether it’s a pile of decorative rocks in your yard or the pile of clothes on your bedroom floor. Keeping open spaces deter a lot of pests, and forces them to look elsewhere for a more “comfortable” environment.
If an area is seldom disturbed by humans or their pet animals, pests tend to thrive in it. Basements that are used for storage often provide pests with a lot of peaceful, hiding places (like cardboard boxes). Whenever possible, store items in plastic boxes, or metal containers instead.
Entry and Exit Points
Pests can easily enter and exit your home, and sealing off these areas goes a long way in drastically reducing the number of bugs and other pests you see inside.
Seal and caulk cracks and crevices along your flooring and walls (especially around pipes), and repair broken screens or consider installing them – do install screens on all outdoor vents. Also consider weatherstripping your doors and windows to close the gaps around them.
If you see tree branches from outside touching the house, cut them as these serve as “bridges” for many pests like ants.
These are the easiest ways to keep your home as pest-free as possible – don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional pest control company if the problem gets too much for you!
