Pest control is an inevitable part of life. In fact, the presence of pests can mean the difference between a farm producing abundant harvests and one that fails to produce for months on end. Fortunately, pest control doesn’t have to be scary or expensive. In fact, there are simple tricks you can use to keep pests at bay without spending a fortune or taking up too much time. Follow these pest control tips that will keep you healthy and safe in your home.
Keep your home dry
To keep pests out of your home, you need to create a dry environment. This means keeping your home free of unauthorized water sources, such as puddles in the path of the door, leaking buckets, or the odd sprinkler left on when you’re done. It also means keeping indoor plants away from water sources such as buckets and outdoor saplings. Pests are attracted to water, which is why they’re able to thrive so easily when they’re present.
Because they rely on water to survive, keeping your home dry will keep them out. Pests like wet environments because they allow them to hide, mate, and feed. They’re also able to breed more easily in a wet environment. Keeping your home dry will help keep your home pest-free, while also keeping it safe and healthy for you and your family.
Seal cracks and gaps
One of the easiest ways to keep pests out of your home is to make sure your cracks and gaps are sealed up. Pests love to sneak their way into your home through tiny holes, like cracks in the foundation or gaps in the walls. Seal up these holes and you eliminate one of the easiest entrances for pests. Seal up cracks in foundations and walls with caulk, especially around windows and doors. You can also use foam pipe insulation that’s meant to seal gaps and seal off pipes with flexible plastic tape.
Get rid of harborage
When pests are inside your home, they’re likely to find somewhere to hide. The ideal hiding spot should be one that’s out of sight, but provides protection from the elements and from predators. The perfect place for this is inside your home. Harborage is when pests nest in one place inside your home and leave another place untouched.
For example, you may have a noisy pest problem in one area of your house, but it’s a mostly silent pest problem in another place. It’s important to get rid of the harborage that’s allowing your pests to reproduce. Pests need water and food in order to survive, and harboring these items in one place makes it harder for them to survive.
Know the pests you’re fighting
The best way to keep pests out of your home is to know what you’re up against. Knowing what makes a pest thrive will help you identify any issues and take steps to keep them at bay. If you’re not sure where to start, start by taking a look at your local Extension Office website. These websites have great information on the most common pests in your state and region.
You can also use a pest control guide as a reference. Once you know what you’re up against, you can start to take steps to keep them out. These steps may include installing mesh screens for windows, keeping water sources out of your home, and keeping food out of places pests like to hide.
Honing in on hotspots
Once you know where the issues are, it’s time to hone in on the worst offenders. One way to do this is to keep an eye out for any areas that seem to be having issues. Areas that are plagued by a specific pest are often the areas with the most issues. These areas may be more dirt and dust, a higher moisture content, or edges and corners that provide the best places for pests to hide. Keep an eye out for these areas, and take steps to keep them as clean and dry as possible. The pests will likely follow the easier path to survival. This will help you keep them out of your home.
Keep your pets healthy and safe too!
Protecting your home from pests is especially important for pets. Keeping your pets inside where they’re protected from the elements and from pests will help keep them safe from diseases, while also keeping your home safe from pests. If you have outdoor pets, it’s especially important to keep your home dry. Outdoor pests are likely to find a way into your home through your pets, which is why keeping your home dry is so important. Keep your home dry by sealing any holes and gaps in your home’s exterior. You can also install screens on windows, doors, and vents to keep pests out of your home.
Wrapping up
Pest control can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. By following these pest control tips, you can keep pests out of your home. This can help keep you and your family safe, while also keeping your home free of pests. Protect your home with mesh screens, keep your home dry and seal up any gaps and cracks, get rid of harborage, and hone in on your worst offenders. These small changes can help keep your home pest-free. There are many different types of pests that can invade your home, and they can be difficult to get rid of. To stay healthy, it’s important to know how to protect against them.
