As winter approaches, it’s time to consider the best way to prevent pests from getting into your home. Although the process of keeping pests out can be tedious, it is infinitely better than having to deal with pests in your home.
The good news is that pest prevention is easier than you think.
Contact A Professional
If you want to simply hand the reins over to someone else, call a local pest control expert and get them to come and check your home. However, while they will remove any pest infestation that already exists, they will usually only advise on the best preventative methods.
The best approach is simply to speak to them about the most likely pests you’ll be dealing with and how they recommend protecting your home.
You can then take the necessary steps, which will include the following:
Sealing Up Gaps
A mouse can get through a gap as small as a ¼ inch, ants, termites, and other pests don’t even need a gap that big!
You need to carefully inspect the outside of your home and seal any gaps. Pay particular attention to around the windows, doors, and the base of your walls.
If there is no entry point the pests won’t be able to get in.
Edge Around Your Home
Termites can bury through the earth at the side of your home and into your foundations in order to get to the wood and start eating it. You’ll know they are active if you have small tunnels in the soil. If you fill them in they will reappear within 24-48 hours.
The most effective way of eliminating this issue is to have a concrete strip around your home, preferably at least 6” wide.
Check For Moisture
Pests need moisture and food to survive. You can eliminate these by looking around your home, inside and out, and eliminating any moisture.
Gutters collect moisture, leaking pipes allow moisture to soak into the wood and walls, and even pet drinking bowls can be an encouragement to pests.
Check your home for any water stains and trace the source of the issue. Eliminating these won’t just help to keep pests out, it can also protect your home.
Clutter
Pests need somewhere to live, that’s why they’re contemplating your house for winter. But, prior winter they may have been living in a woodpile in the garden or some other item that hasn’t been moved for a long time.
If you eliminate clutter inside and outside your home you’ll reduce the places where pests can live, making it harder for them to stay uninvited.
You’ll also find that the value of your home will go up and it’s a nicer place to live.
Start Cleaning
A pest needs food and this is most likely to be found in the form of crumbs and other food waste that you’ve left lying around.
You need to get in the habit of cleaning your house, putting food away in sealed containers, and keeping all waste in a sealed bin. Combine this with regular vacuuming and the pests won’t have any food, they’re likely to move onto a different house.
Don’t forget your local pest control service is here to help you eliminate the entry points and attraction of your home to pests. With their support, you can enjoy a pest-free winter!
This is a collaborative post, the ideas and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
