Many homeowners will run into a household pest at some point in their lives. Even if you keep a tidy home, certain pests are unavoidable, such as ants in the summer and stink bugs in the winter.
However, certain practices may unintentionally attract pests to your home, such as having standing water on your property or simply having a dog or cat. To keep your Maryland home clean and pest-free this summer, here are seven things that may be attracting pests to your home that you need to be aware of.
7 Things That Attract Pests to Your Home
Unfortunately, there are several things found in households that unintentionally attract pests to your property. Here are seven common attractions that homeowners need to watch out for and may need to solve to prevent pests from infesting their property.
1. Food Sources
One of the biggest reasons many pests will invade a home is in search of food sources. Common sources include:
- Unsealed food
- Crumbs
- Food scraps
- Unsealed garbage
If left unsealed, sugary and greasy foods are more likely to attract pests. If you do find ants and cockroaches in your home, be sure to also look behind refrigerators, ovens, and pantries, where crumbs tend to collect.
2. Standing Water and Moisture
Certain pests, such as ants, mosquitoes, and cockroaches, are known to be attracted to standing water and moisture. Common sources of standing water on properties include:
- Leaky pipes
- Clogged drains
- Damp areas underneath vanities and sinks
- Bird baths
- Ponds
- Uneven landscape grading
A leak or standing water inside your property can not only attract pests but also mold and damage it.
3. Clutter and Hiding Spots
The more clutter you have in your home, the more spots pests have to hide. This includes things like storage boxes, old newspapers and magazines, and other random unused items. Getting rid of excess clutter can help reduce your chances of a pest infestation and help you spot one quicker.
4. Cracks, Gaps, and Openings
Pests can squeeze through even the tiniest cracks and crevices, and you may unknowingly be giving them access to your home through gaps in your walls, doors, and windows. Even the warmth of your home from a cracked windowpane or gap in your doorway can be enough to attract winter pests, such as stink bugs, ladybugs, and rodents.
5. Overgrown Vegetation and Landscaping
Overgrown vegetation and poor landscaping give pests more places to hide outside of your home and possibly even make their way inside. Things like tall grass, untrimmed bushes, and long tree branches can create a hospitable environment for many pests. Watch out for pests, such as termites, cockroaches, and ants, that tend to hide behind branches and twigs that accumulate in your yard.
6. Pet Food and Waste
Pests will often invade pet food and pet waste, such as litter boxes. To prevent this from happening, it is a good idea to regularly change your cat’s litter and avoid keeping pet food in their bowl after they have eaten. Dog food can be especially attractive to pests like cockroaches, so be sure to seal all food.
7. Outdoor Lighting
Finally, keeping the lights on at night can actually be more than a power drain–they also attract pests. Certain pests, such as mosquitoes, moths, and flies, are known to be attracted to outdoor lighting, so keeping that porch light on may be inviting in unwelcome pests.
How to Reduce Pest Attraction in Your Home
Rest assured, there are several steps you can take to limit the number of pests in your home without radically changing your lifestyle.
Practice Proper Food Storage and Cleanup Habits
Properly storing your food and cleaning up after each meal can significantly improve your chances of maintaining a pest-free home. Be sure to store all food in airtight containers and wash dishes immediately after eating to limit their exposure to pests.
It is also important to remove your garbage bags before they become full to reduce your chances of a pest infestation and seal all cans that may attract pests outside your home.
Practice other cleanliness habits, such as sweeping floors, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming to reduce your risk of attracting nasty pests into your home.
Fix Leaks and Reduce Moisture
Address any leaks in your home, such as leaky pipes or faucets, to prevent pests from invading. For the summer months, we highly recommend investing in a dehumidifier to limit the moisture content in your basement or attic, where many pests tend to dwell.
Practice additional habits, such as dumping bird baths, treating ponds, and cleaning up water-logged spots in your yard.
Seal Entry Points
You can greatly reduce the number of pests who enter your home every year by physically barricading your home from them. While the odd pest or two may enter through an open window or swinging door, a majority of pests can be eliminated just by sealing gaps and cracks.
Start by sealing exterior gaps in your home with a store-bought caulk and applying an expandable spray foam for bigger gaps. Check for gaps around common fixtures, such as drainage pipes and gas lines, from outside. Also, be sure to inspect your foundation for cracks and apply weatherstripping around doors and windows for extra protection.
As a bonus, sealing your home from pests will also help you reduce your energy bills!
Regularly Clean and Declutter Your Home
Keeping your house clean and clutter-free is another essential step for reducing pest attraction in your home. While we’ve extolled the virtues of keeping a clean home above, decluttering is arguably just as necessary.
Not only does junk provide shelter for pests, but certain materials, like cardboard, can get wet or degrade, attracting pests like carpenter ants into your home.
Call a Professional Pest Control Service
While we recommend practicing the prevention methods outlined above, you can greatly reduce your workload and gain peace of mind by partnering with a trusted pest control professional.
Contrary to popular belief, exterminators are not just emergency services you hire when your home is overrun by ants or bed bugs. Most exterminators offer monthly pest control plans that use a combination of barrier sprays, baits, traps, and prevention methods to prevent common pests in your area from entering your home.
FAQs
How do I know if I have a pest problem?
There are several telltale signs of a pest infestation to be aware of, such as seeing pest droppings, unusual smells, noise coming from inside your walls, discarded insect wings, and seeing live or dead pests in your home.
How does moisture contribute to pest infestations?
Moisture can contribute to a pest infestation by providing an optimal breeding ground for pests, as well as offering hydration, which they need to survive.
Do certain types of food attract more pests than others?
When it comes to food and drinks, pests are most attracted to sweet and sugary flavors, as well as starchy foods like potatoes, grains, and some fruits.