10 Tips to Enjoy a Pest-Free Home
DIY Pest Control Tips and Advice
Running into a rodent (like a large rat) or any other pest is most homeowner’s worst nightmare. Apart from the potential negative health implications, the fright of encountering a critter in your house is enough reason to contact a pest control expert in your area. If you are like most guys, killing living things, even as tiny as a cockroach, is frightening. You don’t want them dead; all you need is to have them away from your house. So, take the matter into your hands and work around these DIY pest control tips on preventing infestation in your house. We had a chat with Edward Ellis from Eco Pest Control Brisbane and he was excited to help us put together these great tips.
1. Store food appropriately
You wouldn’t want to host a dinner party with some pests on the table as unwanted guests. Therefore, make sure that you store food in lockable containers, and then put them in cupboards with fasteners. Pests have it easy when it comes to entering cardboard boxes, so keep open food in sealed boxes or plastic bags. Store fruits in the refrigerator to prevent ants and fruit flies from accessing the food.
2. Seal all possible entrances
“Where there is a way there is a will”, that is the mantra that guides pests. Whenever there is a small crack into your house, pests see it as an opportunity to get into your house. That is why you should treat any cracks, crevices and gaps. Inspect the exterior of your home thoroughly, especially the foundation, to ensure that there isn’t any gap big enough for pests to fit.
3. Dispose waste correctly
Besides the food that you want to eat, pests can also feast on waste and leftovers. To avert this, put a tight lid on all bins and empty them regularly. Store bins away from entrances to keep off pests from your home. Take care of any litter around your compound immediately. If you are into recycling, wash the containers first.
4. Install screens over vents and other openings
Installing screens over openings such as chimneys keeps pests away from your home as they cannot access it. Make sure that the screens fit properly and that they are repaired and replaced as and when required. As long as the pests don’t get in, potential for damage is decreased significantly.
5. Keep the house clean
It might sound like your home is clean enough, but pests tend to thrive in unclean places. Clean your floors every day to ensure that animals do not feast on the crumbs or residues that have fallen on the floors. Tackle al spills immediately and declutter the kitchen sink. Do not leave dishes to soak and use a dishwasher where possible.
6. De-clutter
When you don’t clear clutter inside and outside your home, you are providing a breeding and habitable place for pests to thrive. Plastic bags, newspapers, boxes, and cardboards are ideal places for pests to thrive. If it is a must for these things to be kept, make sure they are away from the house. If possible, keep them away from the house entirely.
7. Keep the house dry
Just as food is important to the survival of pests, so is water. A cockroach has the ability to survive on water for a month without food. Install gutter in the exterior of your home appropriately. Always drain water from the sink and mop any puddles that may be around your home. Fix all leaking appliances ASAP.
8. Change lights
Animals are attracted to light. If you wish to reduce the number of flying insects in your house, use halogen lights. Any light that has a yellow, orange or pink color tends to attract fewer bugs. It applies to the exterior lights too. The porch area is most prone to flying animals, so make sure the lights don’t worsen the situation.
9. Inspect everything you bring into your home
Anything that gets into the house can be used by pets as a free ride into your home. So, inspect everything that gets in, such as groceries and shopping. Clean groceries immediately and store them in their appropriate places.
10.Consider natural pest prevention techniques
If you are wary of particular pests, there are several natural methods that you can use to prevent them from invading your home. Most of the solutions are affordable and are based on basic household items. For instance, peppermint oil in cotton balls keeps flies away. The Queensland Government also shares some information on biological control methods for treating pest animals.
Final Thoughts
Remember that it is better to prevent a calamity rather than handle it when it hits. Ensure you follow the above tips for a pest-free home. If you don’t have the necessary skills to DIY, don’t shy off from asking an expert to help out.