How to Keep Your Home Pest-Free this Summer
Pests can be a real problem in the summertime. They can come into our homes looking for food and shelter, causing all sorts of problems. Once a pest has established itself in your home, they can be difficult to get rid of without the help of professionals like JB's Pest Control. However, there are things we can do to help keep them out in the first place. Here are a few tips on how to keep your home pest-free this summer.
1. Inspect your home for gaps and cracks that pests can enter through. Seal up any that you find.
One of the best ways to keep pests out of your home is to make sure they can’t get in in the first place. Inspect your home, inside and out, for any gaps or cracks that pests could squeeze through. Pay particular attention to areas around doors and windows, as well as any pipes or cables that come into your home. If you find any gaps, seal them up with caulk or another suitable material. Remember, many pests have an uncanny way of squeezing through holes that look impossible for anything to fit through. A mouse, for example, can fit through a hole only 6-7mm wide, so something that looks fine may actually need sealing up.
2. Keep food stored in airtight containers and clean up any spills or crumbs right away.
Pests are attracted to food, so it’s important to keep it stored properly. Store dry goods like cereal, flour, and rice in airtight containers, and always clean up any spills or crumbs right away. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, and make sure to take out the bin regularly so that it doesn’t start to smell. Many pests have an amazing sense of smell, so even a little sugar left on the counter could be enough to attract ants if they’re nearby.
3. Don’t leave rubbish or pet food outside where it can attract pests.
Make sure to always close the lid on your outdoor bins to prevent animals like foxes and seagulls from rooting through them. Additionally, if you feed your pets outdoors, clean up any uneaten food and bin it. If you leave food out for the birds or hedgehogs, try to limit the amount you put out so that it all gets eaten quickly – lingering food will eventually attract rats.
4. Keep your garden maintained.
Pests like mosquitoes breed in standing water, so it’s important to remove any that you have around your property. Empty out any paddling pools, birdbaths, or other containers of water that are sitting around. Also, make sure to keep your lawn trimmed and tidy – long grass provides perfect hiding spots for insects and other pests. If you’re struggling with moles, placing garden pinwheels is enough to scare them off humanely – they don’t like the vibrations as the blades turn in the wind.
5. Close windows and turn off lights at night, and use door screens.
You might be tempted to leave your bedroom window open at night to help encourage air-flow. However, if you leave a light on during the night, you may find the room filling with moths as they flock to the warm glow. Moths aren’t a major risk to health, but some species will happily eat their way through your interior fabrics, ruining your curtains, carpets and clothes. Turn off lights at night if you’re going to leave the windows open, or close them and invest in a fan. Similarly, install door screens so that insects can’t fly in when you open an outside door – particularly useful in the kitchen when cooking smells can attract pests.
Other ways to prevent pests.
There are also some things you can do to make your home less attractive to pests. In general, pests like dark, moist, and cluttered areas. So, try to keep your home well-lit and clean, and free of clutter. You might also want to consider using pest-repellent plants around your home, like citronella or lemon balm, which helps to repel mosquitoes and flies. And finally, if you have pets, make sure they are up-to-date on their flea and tick medication.
If you follow these tips, you can help prevent pests from coming into your home this summer. But if you do find yourself with a particularly large pest problem, don’t hesitate to call a professional pest control service for help.
