Picture a future with no bugs! Okay, I admit. Some well-educated ecologist will perhaps claim that these creepy crawlies potter around at the bottom of the ecosystem doing valuable work in the grand scheme of things, but an extensive elimination of the mosquito and the bed bugs and the cockroaches of the world is undoubtedly a great and worthy goal. Sadly, old, pigheaded Mother Nature refuses to let it transpire, and I doubt it’s not bound to be in a way a hot topic at the upcoming election. So with the crystalline, cold days of bug-free winter season giving way to the insect-friendly hot summer season, here’s how to seal your home from unwelcome house guests:
Seal All Areas Where Pests Can Enter
Even the tiniest hole is a big opportunity for them to invade your home. If you find holes that are a potential entrance for pests, seal them. Ask a professional to inspect your home and seal the cracks and leaks. You can also detect pests outside your home. You may find a few flies playing around. Before pests get a chance to mate and multiply, trap them; there are products you can purchase which you can hang outside your home. You have to be extra careful though as some products can be harmful to pets as well. You can buy products that are more animal-friendly as well.
Clean Up Promptly
Clean up! The packet of chips on the floor, the garbage bag that’s been lying around for a week, and the bread crumbs on your bed should all be disposed of unless you want a rodent to greet you every morning. Keep all containers sealed, recycle old materials, and dispose of last night’s pet food. And since moisture attracts mosquitoes and cockroaches, get rid of any pools of water and keep things dry.
Eliminate Standing Water
Clean up yard puddles, unclog drains, and fix leaky faucets. Check under the sinks or in the tubs as well as around hoses or water tanks to fix leaks. Pests generally are attracted to damp and filthy areas as well as those that are not frequently checked. To prevent them from invading your spaces, you have to clean your home regularly. Wash the dishes and clean the kitchen including all the corners as well as those commonly ignored areas like those at the back of your refrigerator and oven. There might be specs of food there that lure rodents and bugs. Also, get rid of watering holes to ward off bugs.
Maintain Your Home Garden
Your garden is a haven for many types of bugs. A properly maintained garden has a significant impact on bug infestations, particularly for creatures such as fleas and mosquito’s. Eliminating pooled water helps to reduce the number of mosquito’s, as they breed in pooled or standing water. Ensure your gutters are clear of blockages that may cause water to gather and stagnate. Remove any piles of leaves or plant matter and debris, as these spots provide the perfect conditions for bugs to breed. Keep lawns aerated and cut short, as this helps to minimize infestations.
If you must turn to insecticides for help, go for the ones that are least lethal and have been produced particularly for bed bugs. Certified exterminators should be able to give you sound pieces of advice on the safest pesticides to use. Additionally, use pesticides cautiously for no matter how “safe” they’re advertised to be, they still have harmful chemicals that could affect your or your family’s health.
Did you know that some of the gaps and cracks in your home that let bugs in are the same ones allowing valuable heat out? By sealing up your home’s exterior as highlighted in this article, you can go a long way towards improving the energy efficiency of your home. By easing your energy expenditure, you’re also helping to reduce your impact on the environment, and you may even notice savings in your utility bills.