Pests can cause havoc in a home if they are allowed to. Wooden structures can be gnawed away, wiring can be chewed and faeces and urine can cause a health hazard. The simplest way to deal with pests is to stop them from becoming a problem in the first place. There is no 100% guarantee that you can stop pests from entering your home, but you can make it a lot harder for them to do so, and less likely that they will want to set up home with you.
There are pest proofing techniques that you can use to help keep your home pest free. You should also have your home inspected by professional exterminators at least once every two years. Doing so means that you can spot pest problems early and limit the amount of damage that is caused if pests do manage to sneak their way in.
Fill in entry points
It’s easy for pests to get into your property through even tiny gaps in the wall; or cracks in doors and around windows. It’s important to keep check of the condition of exterior walls, and wooden structures, and deal with any repairs that are needed as soon as possible.
Remove debris from outside and inside
Debris, such as piles of leaves in the yard and food remains in the kitchen, is enticing to pests. Make sure that your yard is kept tidy and that trees and bushes are cut back so that they do not overhang your home and provide a means of entry for pests. Clean up food debris in the kitchen and do not leave uncovered food on worktops.
Pay attention to trash
Pests such as cockroaches and flies are attracted by trash such as food scraps. This is why it’s important to make sure that the trash container in your kitchen has a cover and is emptied daily into your household trash cans. These trash cans should have secure lids so that pests cannot gain easy entry.
Keep your home dry
Pests need water in order to survive. Even sturdy cockroaches cannot last more than a week or two without water whereas they can survive as long as one month without food. Therefore, if you have any areas of damp in your home, they need to be addressed and leaks need to be fixed straight away.
Be alert to signs of a problem
There is always a chance that a pest will find its way into your home. This is why it’s so important to find out more about pest inspections. You also need to be alert to signs of a problem. These signs can include:
- Chewed wood.
- Chewed wiring.
- Scurrying sounds that are unexplained.
- Strong odours.
- Termite tunnels.
- Urine stains.
- Pest droppings.
If you are vigilant, you can often spot a problem before it gets out of hand. If you have any concerns about a potential pest problem in your home, it’s useful to get a professional opinion to put your mind at rest, and ensure that any necessary pest control work is carried out.
