Our house is a sacred space, and the last thing we want in our house is pests. There are several ways for getting rid of critters and make your home pest-free! There are also many ways to eliminate the conditions both the inside as well as the outside of your home. If you take concrete actions, there are several ways to eliminate the pests that cause havoc in your home. These ways would even reduce the chances of them bothering you and your loved ones.
Following are ten things you can do to keep these critters out of your home-
1. Minimize plants and mulch
It would be best if one tries to trim back any tree branches or shrubs that touch your homes. Tree branches and shrubs are where these critters dwell. An in-house plant will create havoc for you, as most pests love to be around trees and plants. Similarly, mulch in garden beds can provide an ideal shelter for pests. Instead of mulch in the areas that touch your foundation, you should place the less pest-attractive ground cover. You can use rocks as it is a less-attractive ground cover.
2. Seal doors and windows
We all know that pests can wiggle through tiny cracks and gaps. Hence, you should regularly inspect and repair broken doors and windows. Sealing doors and windows will not only keep the insects and pests from moving in, but it can also be beneficial to keep the pollen and allergens outside. It can also be conducive for the ones who suffer from seasonal allergies. The moulds can also pass through the crevasses if the windows and the doors are not sealed on time. You can use the screen mesh sizes with at least 200 holes per square inch.
3. Check for cracks and gaps
We all know that doors and windows are not the only places that are likely to have a tiny opening. You should also routinely inspect the exterior of your home and look at the other cracks, gaps and crevices where the pests are likely to enter. One should also check for foundation cracks, roof shingles, pipes, electric wiring and cable wiring. You can seal any opening with copper mesh, sheet metal, or mortar. One should be careful not to use expanding caulk as it is not ideal. Many pests can also chew it.
4. Properly dispose of trash and litter
No-brainer is that household garbage can attract pets such as ants, roaches and rodents. Yard waste can cause havoc. The pests might see it as a food source. You should make sure that all of your trash cans have tight lids. You should clean the can and the area where they sit regularly. This should be done to remove debris and spills on which the pest thrives. It would be best if you kept the yards, patios and decks free of litter. The standing water should also be eliminated as it creates an ideal environment for pests.
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5. Rinse recyclables
It is much preferable to store the recyclables in a bin which consists of a tight-fitting lid. You should thoroughly rinse all the food from the recyclables before you put them in a container. It would be best if you tried storing this bin outside rather than in your garage or home.
6. Use the correct light bulbs
To get rid of the flying insects around the doors and the windows, you should replace the standard mercury-vapour lights with the high-pressure sodium vapour ones. You can also replace them with halogen bulbs. According to a study, bulbs with pink, yellow or orange tints are the ones that are the least attractive to insects. It is also widespread to place the lights on the exterior walls near doors. However, you should try positioning the light farther away from your house. If you do this, it will keep most of the insects by the pole, and thus they will avoid coming into your home.
7. Look for the interior gaps
We all are strangers to the fact that most pest preventive measures take place outside the home. However, some cracks and gaps will be visible only from the inside. You should regularly check inside, behind and under the refrigerators and kitchen cabinets for signs of pests. You should also look for gaps in trim and around pipes, vents and cables. You should seal any gaps you come across.
8. Clean drains
The sink and floor drains are known to accumulate debris. It can attract pests and provide an ideal breeding site, especially for small flies. Hence, you should regularly inspect and clean all the drains in your home. You should clean the gutters, especially the ones in the laundry and in the basement. The combination of soda and vinegar makes an excellent homemade drain cleaner. It provides foaming action that flushes out the clogs.
9. Store food in the sealed containers you have at home
There are some pests, such as rodents, that have an excellent sense of smell. If an open food container is in your house, they will just barge their way in it. You should always store the pantry foods, such as cereal and crackers, in containers that are reusable. You should also aim to clean out your pantry regularly. You should get rid of spoiled and stale food. This will minimize the attraction of any pantry pests that create havoc.
10. Clean your home regularly
It is known that the cleaner and more well-sanitized your home is, the less attractive it will have to pests. You should regularly sweep, mop and vacuum the crevices as this will disturb any areas where a pest might be considering making a house for himself. You should also regularly pick up the crumbs and other debris that are proving to be a potential food source for the pests. Thus, cleaning your house regularly pays off!