Controlling common pests is something that many people hate to think about, but eventually will need to know how to do. A bit of know-how goes a long way in terms of making a pest problem manageable. The advice and insights found below can make what may seem to be a daunting dilemma something that you can tackle with ease.
Sweep your kitchen and dining room floors and wipe your counter tops every day. Even small crumbs or bits of dropped food can attract ants, roaches and other pests. It is a good idea to empty the garbage each day. Trash can be a breeding ground for house and fruit flies.
If you are dealing with a stink bug invasion, try to minimize your use of outdoor lights. These pests are drawn to the brightness, so they will move closer to your house when the lights are on, giving them more opportunities to find their way in. Furthermore, draw your blinds in the evening so the light from inside your home does not attract them.
Keep in mind that pests are not fond of the same air you are. Your home might not have been designed for proper ventilation in crawl spaces and the attic. However, these spaces need sufficient ventilation so that the environments within them are not suitable to pests who might come in.
Borax powder is known as a natural pest control. It can be used to rid your home and yard of many different kinds of insects, including roaches and ants. Avoid using borax around children and pets. Instead, place borax along baseboards and under cabinets to quickly rid your home of these pests.
Did you know that bugs and pests can get into your home through cracks or holes in your walls? Inspect the outside of your home for any cracks or holes. Depending on the type of material your home is made of, fill them with caulk to keep out the bugs and pests.
Critter proof mesh is something that you will want to install in your attic as this can prevent squirrels or mice from entering your home. This is important as these animals can carry different types of bacteria or diseases that you will want to avoid at all costs during the year.
Never leave food out longer than you need to. If you make a habit of leaving food out you will almost definitely run into a pest problem from time to time. If you, instead, make a habit of cleaning up after your food mess right away each time you will do a lot to keep pests away.
If you spot bugs or pest in an apartment complex, you need to complain to your landlord immediately. You will not successfully eradicate the pest if you take action by yourself. The only way to get rid of pest is to treat the entire apartment complex at once, which means residents might have to stay somewhere else for a few days.
Your pets are a big source of bug infestations in your home. Not only can your pets bring in fleas and ticks from outdoors, but their food is a food source for bugs as well. When the animals are done eating, pick up their food. Keep the area where the animals eat clean as well.
Avoid furniture from unknown sources. Furniture, especially upholstered furniture, can harbor pests. To keep them out of your home, avoid furniture from resale shops, trading websites, or the side of the road. If you bring an infested piece of furniture into your home, it can spread to all of your own furniture as well.
If you have an ant problem, boric acid is your solution. Sprinkle some of this outside. Especially around your home where they are getting in. When ants bring some back to the ant hill, the other ants will eat and and they will die. This will also help keep them from entering your home.
Dirty gutters and clogged drains are magnets for bugs and pests. These pests love the moisture, and the places where they can hide and breed. Clean your gutters and unclog any drains from around your home. This will eliminate the habitat that bugs love to hide in. When they are clean, there is no where for them to hide.
Insects such as silverfish are usually attracted by the humidity in your home. Damp places help silverfish thrive in your home environment. Give these pests a run for their money by dehumidifying your home. Make them learn an extra lesson by fixing leaky pipes and using proper ventilation in all areas of your home.
If you are experiencing a problem with cockroaches, you should keep all food items in sealed containers. Put open containers into zippered bags or Tupperware to seal the container completely; do not merely close the container with a clip. Cockroaches love food so will go wherever it is. Use sealed containers for all of your baking supplies too, including sugar and flour.
If you decide to use pesticides, you should always check the labels on the products you purchase. You may not get good results if you are not using pesticides like you should, and you could even do some damage to your health and to the environment. For instance, if it's recommended that you use an application every day, don't skip one day. Not properly following the directions on a pesticide can cause you to have to it for several weeks longer than required.
Although you want to get rid of these pests no matter what, you should ensure you are properly protecting yourself. Always wear the protective gear that the label instructs you to wear. In addition, it is always a good idea to use proper precautions on your own. Always wash your hands before you eat, drink, use the restroom, etc.
Pest control is a topic that just about everyone can benefit from understanding a bit better. Learning effective control techniques makes sense for men and women, young and old alike. By keeping the above information as a reference, you will never be at a loss for what to do when those uninvited guests arrive.
