Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, we spend a lot of time at our homes. They have become our safe-havens, and now, it may be the best time to take care of some issues that we have with them that we didn’t have time to fix before, such as pests.
Pests can be a real danger to our health and the condition of the house we live in. Contrary to popular belief, pests do not go dormant in the winter. Instead, they start seeking shelter from the cold and are keen on crawling inside houses and looking for food. As a result, many people find themselves in need of professional cockroach control around that time of the year.
Fortunately, you can prevent that from happening! All you need to do is take a look at our list of the best ways to keep pests out of your home and then put them into action.
Windows and Doors
Over time, door and window seals become damaged, leading to various problems, such as drafts and foggy windows. Additionally, even the smallest gap is the potential way for pests to enter your home. Consequently, you should check every single one of your windows and doors to ensure that there are no gaps that the pests could potentially use.
When it gets warmer, and you spend more time outside, be careful and always lock the doors behind you. And If you are used to opening windows, it might be a good idea to install bug screens. They are not expensive, and they will effectively protect your home from unwanted guests.
Clean Home
It may seem rather obvious, but keeping your home clean is likely to make it bug-free. Pests love messy and dirty places, such as attics and basements. It is very likely that there are no people there, and in most cases, they are cluttered and full of hiding places.
Your home doesn’t need to be spotless every day. Just try to be careful not to leave any crumbs on the floor and wash your dirty dishes on a daily basis. On top of that, it is a good idea to buy sealed trash containers, as ants and flies love the smell of rotting food.
Firewood
If you own a fireplace, you should pay attention to how you store the firewood. If you keep it outside, it must be at least 20 feet away from your home. Why is that the case? It is the best place for mice and snakes to hide in, and it can fall prey to a pack of termites!
When you need to take some of the wood inside the home, store it in a place that is far away from wooden furniture or on a special stand. It may also be a good idea to bring in less wood rather than keep a big pile next to the fireplace.
Interior Gaps
Windows and doors are not the only places pests can use to get inside your home. In order to keep them outside, check the walls and pipes to see if there are any holes or cracks that may need caulking.
Leaking pipes can cause moisture problems, which attract cockroaches. And keep in mind that they are really tough to eliminate. Moreover, don’t forget about the house’s foundation and the roof. That is especially the case if your roof is covered with roof shingles, as they may have rotten by now.
Lawn
Lawns covered with tall grass are the perfect place for insects, rodents, and snakes to hide in. Consequently, mowing the lawn on a regular basis can help deter them from coming near your home. However, it will never be enough to fully eradicate them.
If you see way too many pests on your lawn, hiring pest control specialists is always a viable option. They will eliminate them with special pesticides, which are far more effective than what you can get at the supermarket.
Flowers, Trees, and Bushes
Plants like flowers and trees can make your backyard look fabulous, but they can also attract animals. Moreover, they allow insects and rodents to reach the windows and part of the walls that are located high off the ground.
In order to prevent that from happening, it is best to keep plants away from the walls of your home. And if that is not an option, you may also want to think about getting them trimmed on a regular basis.
Ponds and Pools
If you have ponds or pools near your home, you need to be prepared to fight lots and lots of mosquitos. The only thing you can do to win is to replace the water regularly so bugs will not be able to lay eggs in it.
Water striders, which are commonly found in pools, are harmless to humans and prey on other bugs. Because of that, you should not get rid of them! Instead, get rid of the algae growing inside the pool, as it can attract insects that are actually harmful.
The Bottom Line
The best way to fight off pests is to go on offense instead of defense. While some of them are very hard and expensive to get rid of, it is totally worth it. After all, it will make your home a much more pleasant place to live in!
Sometimes it is impossible to do it all on your own, and you might be forced to get in touch with professional pest control. But as you see, sometimes all you need to do to keep pests away from your home is keep it clean and mow your lawn on a regular basis.
And once you start taking such preventive measures, you will be able to enjoy living in a well-taken-care-of and bug-free home!