Taking steps to prevent pests is a simple way to prevent dangerous infestations that damage your home or cause health problems for your family. Often, the simplest prevention strategies are the most effective. You can begin your pest control strategy with these easy, but effective, tips.
Eliminating Entrances
Sealing your home is one of the most effective ways to keep pests out. Look for gaps between baseboards, around exterior walls, along window frames and around doors. Seal any gaps you find using caulking or another appropriate building material. Plumbing pipes are one of the most common entrance points for insects. Keep insects out by sealing gaps around popes with caulking, or seal the gaps with stainless steel wool to keep pests like mice and rats out of your home.
Everyday Pest Prevention
Regularly cleaning and inspecting your home is an important step. Tasks like sweeping, mopping and vacuuming eliminates the hard-to-see crumbs that attract pests like mice, ants and cockroaches to your home. The kitchen is particularly attractive to insects and rodents when food and water sources are easy to find. Keep food in sealed containers and clean dining areas after meals to prevent infestations.
Inspecting Your Home for Pests
Regular inspections help identify pests before an infestation becomes severe. Check in storage boxes, crawlspaces, attics, and rarely used rooms to find pests like spiders and mice. Opossums are usually nocturnal, so listen for scratching or banging sounds at night to decide whether the pest is living in your home or on your property.
Early detection allows professional pest control companies to eliminate the infestation before it poses a health risk to your family. Professional pest control companies can also help you identify pests if you find a spider, insect or animal on your property. After removing the pests, continue using both indoor and outdoor prevention strategies.
Outdoor Maintenance for Pest Control
Cutting your lawn as short as possible reduces shady, sheltered spaces that attract insects and other pests. You should also keep debris, such as branches, off the ground to eliminate potential shelters. If branches are touching your exterior walls or roof, cut them back to prevent pests like opossums from entering.
Preventing infestations is simpler when you take proactive steps to reduce food, water and shelter source that attract pests. Regular indoor and outdoor maintenance are the best prevention methods, but an infestation can’t always be avoided. Early detection is the best option for fast, effective pest control. You can also call a professional exterminator from companies like Allstate Pest Control to help out with any major pest problems and infestations.