How to Prevent Pests

DIY Pest Prevention Tips for Your Home

Having pests invade your home can be annoying, gross, and even dangerous. But there are several DIY steps you can take to help prevent pests from ever wanting to set up camp in your house in the first place. Let’s talk about how maintaining cleanliness, making repairs, sealing entries, addressing drainage issues, removing water sources, better food storage, improving your landscaping, and sanitising can help keep the creepy crawlies away.

1. Keep It Clean

One of the best ways to prevent unwanted guests is to simply keep your house clean, especially your kitchen and dining areas. Sweep, mop, vacuum, and dust regularly. This removes food crumbs and spills that can attract ants, cockroaches, and other insects. Be sure to clean under appliances and along baseboards too. And don’t let dirty dishes pile up in the sink, as they can draw pests in.

2. Make Any Needed Repairs

Inspect your home for holes, cracks, and gaps along the exterior and interior. Seal up any openings around pipes, exterior walls, or wiring with caulk or spray foam. This will prevent bugs and rodents from squeezing their way inside. Repair any damaged screens as well. And make sure doors and windows close tightly and have weather stripping.

3. Drainage & Remove Water Sources

Standing water and excess moisture around your home can entice certain pests. Make sure gutters are cleaned out so they drain properly away from the structure. Address any leaky pipes, faucets, or AC units right away too. Install grading and/or French drains if you have wet basement or crawlspace issues. And eliminate sources of stagnant water on your property to remove breeding grounds.

4. Store Food Supply Properly

Keep human and pet foods tightly sealed in pest-proof containers to deny pests access. Glass, metal, or rigid plastic with tight lids work best. Get rid of cardboard boxes, plastic wraps, and bags that allow odors and crumbs to escape. Also, wipe up any spills right away, and don’t leave dishes out overnight. Refrigerate what you can as well.

5. Improve Your Landscaping

Trimming bushes and trees prevents branches from touching your home environment which can allow pests to access the exterior and roof. Moving woodpiles, mulch, and debris far from the structure also removes hiding spots. And keep grass cut short and trim vegetation back from the foundation. This eliminates protective cover and also allows sunlight to penetrate to discourage pests.

6. Sanitise Your Home

Discourage pests from sticking around by eliminating their food sources and nesting spots. Wash dishes right after eating and take out trash regularly. Clean behind and underneath appliances and furniture frequently where source of food particles and dust accumulate. Store clothing and linens properly and wash bedding in hot water regularly. And allow sunlight into dark corners.

FAQ

What are some key safety considerations when doing pest control?

When doing your pest control, be sure to carefully read and follow all product label instructions. Only use chemicals in well-ventilated areas and avoid inhaling fumes. Wear gloves and wash your hands and exposed skin afterward. Never mix products and keep all chemicals locked up and out of reach of children.

How do I know when it’s time to hire a pro?

Seeing one or two pests occasionally that you can easily eliminate on your own is normal. But if you have recurring or worsening issues controlling an infestation despite your best DIY efforts, it’s probably time to hire a licensed exterminator for regular inspection. They have the expertise and stronger products to fully eradicate pest infestation.

How often should I wash my bedding to keep pests at bay?

Wash all bed linens at least once a week in heated steam then run through a hot dryer cycle to kill any bed bugs or dust mites present. Wash pillowcases twice a week for extra protection. Mattress and box spring encasements can also help reduce signs of pest issues in beds.

Conclusion

The best way to keep common pests out of your house is by making your home a place they don’t want to live. Keep everything very clean and fix any cracks or holes they could use to get inside. Don’t give bugs and rodents food or water to survive on either. And make your yard less welcoming to them too.

Follow these DIY tips to prevent pests from becoming a problem rather than having to get rid of them later. It just takes some extra cleaning, maintenance, and awareness on your part to discourage those unwanted critters from invading and sticking around where people live. If you stay on top of these things, hopefully, the creepy crawlies will want to stay away!