One of the most frustrating situations for any homeowner is a pest infestation. Whether it’s ants, mice, cockroaches, or any other insect or rodent invading your home, pests are always a nuisance. The best way to deal with these annoying critters is to prevent pests from getting indoors in the first place.
6 Easy Ways to Prevent Pests in Your Home
Keeping pests away will save you stress and pest control costs and doesn’t require much effort on your part. Here are six simple things you can do to minimize the chance of a pest infestation.
Look for Gaps and Seal Them
As soon as you start to notice insects getting inside, make it your mission to find where they are coming from. Sealing all the gaps between your home and the outdoors is one of the most effective ways to prevent pests.
Common entrance points for pests are holes around electrical wires and pipes. Use expanding foam insulation to fill these gaps, cutting off their access.
Keep the Kitchen Clean
Food crumbs on the counters and debris in the cupboards attract ants and other small insects. Avoid giving them this opportunity by keeping your kitchen clean at all times. A straightforward way to prevent pests from entering the kitchen is to spray and wipe down your surfaces immediately after cooking, preparing, or eating a meal. In addition, clean your food cupboards and drawers regularly.
Store Food in Sealed Containers to Keep Pests Out
Another guarantee that ants will be in your kitchen is if you leave packets of food unopened. Ants are not only attracted to sweet foods like sugar and honey, but they will also quickly find their way into a bag of rice or pasta if they can.
Invest in some high-quality containers that have tight seals for all your unopened dry foods. Don’t leave fresh fruit out for too long as flies will quickly swarm around it.
Minimize Moisture to Prevent Pests
Many insects like mosquitoes breed in water, so if you have large amounts of standing water in or outside your home, you could be unknowingly contributing to a pest problem. Prevent pests by checking for leaks and eliminating areas where rainwater pools.
Add Screens to Windows to Avoid Pests Getting In
If mosquitos are a problem in your area, fitting mosquito nets or insect screens on your windows is essential. Many DIY options are available from hardware stores. These screens will also keep flies, wasps, and other annoying flying critters from coming inside.
Empty Your Bins Every Day to Prevent Pests
Another good practice to prevent pests in your home is taking out your garbage every day. While your kitchen bin will attract the most pests, get into the habit of emptying all your bins daily. Ensure both your indoor and outdoor trash cans have tightly sealed lids.
Certinspectors offers home inspections to customers in the Hudson Valley area of New York. Contact us to request an appointment.