Photo from Pegasus Pest

Are you tired of dealing with annoying bugs in and around your home? Follow these 7 pest control tips to help keep the critters out.

Have you ever had rodents, bugs, or other pests roaming around your home?

Instead of waiting to take action once a pest has invaded your home, it makes sense to prevent pest problems before they occur. Responsible homeowners take the time to implement pest control to their home’s maintenance.

But if you’re not there yet, don’t worry. Keeping your home pest-free is simple, as long as you know what to do. We have seven pest control tips to help you deter any unwanted visitors from your home.

Let’s get started.

1. Minimize Plants and Mulch

To avoid pest infestations, trim back any tree branches or shrubbery that are close by to your home, especially those that touch it.

This helps to cut down any bridges that insects or other pests may use to land onto your home and find their way in.

Likewise, mulch that sits in gardens offers ideal conditions for pests. Instead of using mulch in spots that touch your foundation, use ground cover like rocks instead that won’t attract pests.

2. Dispose of Trash and Litter

It may be obvious, but one of the best ways to deter bugs and pests is to dispose of trash and litter carefully and safely. Household trash can welcome many types of pests into the home, including ants, cockroaches, and rodents.

When you take the trash out, make sure all your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids to prevent the attention of pests. Yard waste may welcome pests that view it as either a nest or a food source.

You should also make sure to clean the trashcans and the spot where they usually sit to remove food, debris and spills that pests can feed on.

Likewise, keep patios, garages, yards, and decks clean of leaves, plant clippings, and standing water. All these environments make an excellent environment for pests to thrive.

3. Store Food in Containers

Some pests like rodents have an impressive sense of smell. Make sure not to leave any open food lying around in your home. Otherwise, these pests may zone in on it.

Store pantry foods like crackers and cereals in reusable containers or bags if the packaging is opened or cannot be fully sealed. It would help if you also made an effort to clean out your pantry and cupboards regularly to remove any gone-off food or any other products you don’t plan to eat.

4. Rinse Recyclables

Like with litter, we suggest keeping recyclables in a bin or container that features a tight-fitting lid to prevent any pests seeking leftover food residue.

Some areas only provide recyclable bins to their residents. If this is relevant for you, make sure you carefully rinse all the leftover food and oils from your recyclables before placing them in the bin.

By providing clean recyclables, this can help keep your bins and your home pest-free. If possible, keep your bin away from your home rather than inside the building or in your garage.

5. Seal Doors and Windows

Pests can crawl through even the tiniest cracks and gaps in the home, which can lead to a rodent or bug infestation.

Make sure to assess and repair any broken doors or windows regularly. It would help if you also fixed or replaced any that don’t fit well and offer any movement.

If you notice any rips or tears in screens, be sure to repair or replace them promptly. Use screen mesh sizes that feature at least 200 holes per square inch, to shield your home from any pests. These mesh screens are often available at home and hardware stores.

6. Regularly Clean Your Home

The cleaner your house is, the less attracted bugs will be to it.

Every homeowner should keep their house clean regularly. This involves vacuuming, mopping, washing up dishes, and other household chores. When you do this, you disturb any spots where pests might be considering feeding or making a home.

Even cleaning up crumbs and small pieces of food off your kitchen helps reduce your chances of pest infection. And when you regularly clean, you’re more likely to notice any potential entrances to the home for insects and bugs.

Now and then, it would be best if you did a deep clean of the whole house. And remember, cleaning the home also involves keeping the outside tidy too.

As mentioned, keep vegetation trimmed and tidy and keep any gardens and foliage at least 15 feet away from your house. Both inside and outside your building, you should have proper drainage, with no damp or wet areas.

7. Check for Cracks and Gaps

Doors and windows aren’t the only places in the house that have small openings for pests to enter.

Make it a habit to assess the whole exterior of your house for cracks, gaps, and crevices that pests could crawl through now and then.

Start by checking for foundation cracks, missing roof shingles, and gaps around pipes, utility lines, and cables.

If you find any gaps, seal them with materials like copper mesh, sheet metal, or mortar. But avoid caulk as many pests can chew through it.

Ready to Follow These Pest Control Tips?
Many homeowners slack on preventative pest control, and that’s how many infestations occur. But follow our pest control tips, and you can prevent any unwanted guests from entering your home.

If you already have a pest infestation and require professional assistance, we’re here to help. We work with qualified exterminators to remove any pests successfully and safely from your home with care.

Learn about our residential pest control services here.