Moving places is stressful enough, but it's important to consider the essentials of preventive pest control before you even start unpacking.
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep pests out - from professional services to DIY solutions - so your family can live free from unwanted critters.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the common household pests, offer prevention strategies for keeping them away, and give maintenance tips to keep them away for good.
Pests can potentially wreak havoc on residences, commercial establishments, and outdoor areas. They come in all shapes and sizes, meaning you’ll need to adopt specific strategies and look out for various indicators of an infestation.
From mice to cockroaches, all sorts of pests will happily setup shop in your home if given half a chance.
Possible signs of an infestation include droppings or tracks left behind by rodents, webs created by spiders, or egg sacs produced by insects such as silverfish. You’ll want to keep an eye out for the following signs of critters in your home:
Kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves are often affected, as the food stored in them acts as a draw. In addition, cracks in walls and floors provide access points for pests into your home. These entries are typically near plumbing fixtures. It is also crucial to check around window sills and door sills since these spots often contain gaps perfect for a critter to fit through.
Make sure to observe mud tubes near foundation walls, listen carefully for scratching noises from within the walls, and be on the lookout for dead insects or other pests on floors or countertops
Knowing the most common household pests, signs of infestation, and areas to inspect will help prepare for the next step: prevention strategies.
The best time to take preventative steps is when you’re moving into your new home. Follow the strategies below while the house is empty and before unpacking all of your stuff. And, of course, you want to make sure you don’t bring any critters in the moving boxes from your old home.
Regardless of whether you’re just moving in or have lived in the same place for years, securing your home requires a layered approach to be effective. In particular, you’ll want to seal cracks and crevices, install screens on windows and doors, repair damaged weather-stripping around windows or doors, and ensure all vents have tight-fitting covers.
One of the most important steps is regularly cleaning your home. So, put dishes away and be sure to keep rooms free of clutter.
Vacuuming weekly can help remove food particles that may attract pests into your home. Make sure you empty garbage cans often and store them away from living areas.
Chemical treatments can prevent infestations, too, but they should only be utilized when necessary due to their potential health hazards.
Pesticides come in many forms, including sprays, bait traps, and dusts. Some products are more suited to outdoor use, so be sure to check before use.
Professional services are a crucial part of pest control. These services include extermination, removal, and other specialized treatments to help keep pests away from your home.
Pest control professionals can inspect your property and offer recommendations for securing it from infestations, such as sealing up entry points.
If prevention ends up being unsuccessful, your best bet is to still hire an expert to deal with the critters. Exterminators use best practices and the latest tools to eradicate existing infestations and prevent new ones from occurring. They will also have access to more potent products than those found in stores and have the expertise to administer them safely and effectively.
The cost of bringing in an expert varies and will depend on the severity of the infestation and the kind(s) of vermin present. You should get estimates before you make a commitment so you don’t get any unwanted surprises down the line.
DIY solutions offer an eco-friendly way to protect your home from unwelcome visitors without resorting to potentially hazardous chemicals or store-bought products. Indeed, natural repellents and traps can deter pests from entering your home in the first place.
Consider the following options:
While natural repellents can be effective, they may not be as long-lasting as store-bought chemical pesticides. You’ll also need to use caution when using essential oils if you have pets or live with anyone who has allergies.
Lastly, consider natural traps such as sticky boards or buckets filled with soapy water. These can be placed around the home to prevent insects from gaining access to your property.
Of course, there are plenty of store-bought products to help control pest infestations in the home. These include insecticide sprays, baits, dusts, aerosol foggers, and more.
Their ingredients can be potentially hazardous, so it’s essential that the manufacturer's instructions are followed to the letter.
Moving into a new home can be exciting, but it's important to consider preventive pest control before moving in. Taking the time to identify potential pests, develop prevention strategies, and consider professional services or DIY solutions can help ensure that your home is free from infestations after you move in.
Don't let pests be your unwelcome house guests! With 24 Hour Pest Control, you can get the help of experienced professionals who have the expertise and tools to deliver effective, eco-friendly solutions to keep bugs and rodents away.
Contact us today to request an inspection or quote for our services!
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