Unfortunately, most homeowners, at some point, have been victims of pest outbreaks at home. If you have been unlucky to deal with pests at your home, then you will agree that dealing with the unwelcome guests can be a nightmare. Not only are pests hard to eliminate, they also create unsanitary conditions that can expose you and your family to potentially severe medical risks. Therefore, as any professional exterminator will advise, the best way to deal with pests is through prevention. Read on to find out 10 proven and highly reliable ways to prevent pest infestation at home.
1. Seal entry points
Put simply, the fight against bug infestation cannot be won without sealing the various entry points in your home. Leaving cracks unsealed, gaps uncovered and unnecessary spaces in your home will serve as a direct invitation for pests. Due to their relatively small nature, most pests use uncovered spaces to gain access to a home. Therefore, you should inspect your house checking for cracks, gaps and any other spaces that can provide access to pests. Once you identify potential entry points, it is crucial to cover them appropriately to prevent pests from sneaking in and gaining access to your home.
2. Practice proper food storage
As you might be aware, pests normally invade homes in search of food. Therefore, to keep pests entirely away from your house, storing food appropriately is recommended. Some people tend to leave food uncovered or lying around aimlessly in the kitchen and dining areas which plays a massive role in attracting pests. As such, it is advisable to practice proper storage techniques; that is, ensure you seal all foods and store them in lockable containers. Always seal open foods in plastic bags or containers before storing them in the fridge.
3. Check on waste disposal
Since pests invade homes in search of food, it is important to check on your disposal of organic waste. On most occasions, people forget to seal and empty trash cans regularly. Leaving organic waste unsealed will only serve to attract pests as they love the stench of decaying waste. Therefore, to prevent pests from accessing your home, you should consider keeping your litter bin away from potential entry points while also keeping it covered at all times. Cultivating a habit of regular waste disposal will ensure that your trash is not a feeding ground for pests.
4. Prioritize hygiene
It goes without saying that an untidy home usually acts as a breeding and feeding place for pests. As such, you must clean your house regularly to remove tiny food particles and other wastes that may attract pests. While most homeowners will insist that they practice proper hygiene, keeping pests away requires a high and consistent level of hygiene. You must go the extra mile and clean areas that are often assumed or left out during normal cleaning; this means moving furniture and removing carpets to clean hard-to- access surfaces that might act as feeding and breeding areas for pests.
5. Keep all surfaces dry
Pets not only thrive on food but also on water. Therefore, to effectively keep the unwanted guests from your house, you must ensure that there are no wet or damp surfaces. Always check on your gutters as without proper direction, they can lead to the formation of puddles when it rains. All it takes is a small pool of water for pests to consider your front yard their home. As such, always investigate both the interior and exterior of your house to ensure that all surfaces are dry. Also, in the event of pipe damage, consider fixing the leaks as quickly as possible to prevent making your house a convenient breeding ground for pests.
6. Declutter regularly
Pests love cluttered waste as they provide the right environment for breeding. Therefore, to avoid dealing with pests, it is advisable to get rid of newspaper, wood, cardboard and other clusters that might provide pests with an ideal hiding and breeding space. If you must keep clutter, you should consider keeping it organized and far away from your house and its various entry points.
7. Inspect regularly
While it might be tempting to assume that your house is pest free, carrying out regular inspections will help prevent an infestation from occurring. When inspecting for pests, it is prudent to seek the assistance of certified professionals who know the specific areas to inspect. TPC Building & Pest Inspections, for instance, is known to perform thorough inspections both inside and outside the house to identify potential breeding areas. Carrying out regular inspections is the surest way to prevent a pest outbreak.
8. Avoid bright lights
When looking to prevent pests from entering your home, you will need to consider using dull lights. Alternatively, if you prefer bright light due to security concerns, then it is advisable to go for smart motion sensor lights which light up only when necessary. Bright light will attract pests during the night; however, using motion sensor lights will help discourage pests from invading your home due to their unpredictability.
9. Inspect pets and items you bring home
Pets are notorious for bringing pests such as fleas home. To avoid giving pests easy access to your home, you should conduct regular inspections before allowing your pet inside after play. Although some pests might be hard to detect due to fur, conducting regular checks will allow you to spot one or two pests inhabiting your pet. Similarly, you should conduct thorough checks when buying property, especially second hand furniture to prevent bringing pests such as bed bugs to your home.
10. Attack is the best defense
If you are aware of a potential pest outbreak in your neighborhood or you randomly spot an unwelcome guest in your front lawn, then you need to attack the pests before being attacked. For instance, basil is well known to keep flies and other flying insects away from your home. There are several natural ways to prevent pests from invading your home. Ensure you remain vigilant and ready to employ adequate prevention measures once you identify or suspect an intrusion to avoid dealing with a pest infestation.
Remember, preventing pests from accessing your home is better and far easier than dealing with a pest infestation. By observing the ten tips discussed above, you will be well placed to prevent pests from gaining access and invading your home.
