Discovering a pest infestation is a nightmare most homeowners hope never to deal with.
The best way to keep pests from making themselves at home in your home is by practicing preventative pest control. Here are some of the biggest dos and don’ts of preventative pest control and how to protect you and your loved ones from these unwelcome guests.
1. Do Keep a Clean Home
Keeping a clean home is one of the most important ways to prevent pests from entering or returning to your home. While you don’t need to do a deep clean of the entire house every day, there are certain cleaning routines every homeowner should get in the habit of doing.
- Washing and drying dishes after every meal.
- Wiping down countertops with disinfectant spray.
- Taking out the trash before it becomes too full.
- Vacuuming carpets and rugs regularly.
- Sealing food and trash receptacles to prevent smells from attracting pests.
- Fixing any leaks or wet areas of your home.
2. Don’t Ignore Lawn Care
Taking care of the outside of your home is just as important as taking care of the inside regarding preventative pest control. Overgrown grass and shrubbery can attract pests to your yard that may eventually find their way into your home, including:
- Rodents
- Cockroaches
- Snakes
- Ticks
- Ants
To prevent these sorts of pests from lingering around your property, be sure to regularly cut your grass and trim any overgrown bushes and trees. Clean up any yard degree and apply mulch around garden beds to prevent pests from destroying your garden.
3. Do Seal Off Entry Points
One of the easiest ways to prevent pests from entering your home is by erecting physical barriers to their entry. You can do this yourself using an inexpensive caulk or sealant and applying it to any cracks in the walls, windows, or doorways of your home.
For larger pests like rodents, stuffing any gaps or holes in your walls with steel wool can also effectively keep these pests out of your home.
4. Don’t Frivolously Apply Pesticides in the Open
Whenever you’re using pesticides, it is imperative that you carefully follow the directions provided to ensure you are applying them correctly. If you have small children or pets, it is a good idea to remove them from the home before applying any harsh chemicals.
It is also important that you take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe while using pesticides, including wearing protective gloves and goggles.
5. Do Educate Yourself on Early Warning Signs
Every homeowner should have a basic knowledge of the early warning signs of pests to look out for. If you notice any unusual smells or droppings around your home, it could indicate a pest presence you are unaware of. Look for other signs like torn fabric, chew marks, and any strange sounds coming from your walls.
6. Don’t Ignore Early Signs of Pests
As mentioned above, it is important to educate yourself on the early warning signs of many common household pests. For example, signs of termites might not be as obvious as expected without educating yourself beforehand. If you do notice any strange sounds, smells, or activity in your home, reach out to a pest control professional promptly to have your home properly inspected.
7. Do Alert Neighbors If Problems Persist
If you live in an apartment complex or have neighboring houses nearby, it may be a good idea to alert those living around you of any pests you have been dealing with. Certain pests like cockroaches and rodents can travel to nearby apartments or houses, so letting your neighbors know of any possible pest infestations is a courtesy they will likely appreciate.
8. Don’t Use Outdoor Chemicals in Your Home
Certain chemicals are meant exclusively for outdoor use, so educating yourself on the chemicals you intend to use will help you avoid making a mistake that could potentially harm you or your loved ones.
9. Do Call a Professional
When in doubt, it is always best to contact a pest control professional if you spot early signs of an infestation. An experienced pest control professional will be able to inspect your home to determine the severity of the infestation and create a unique plan of action to get rid of the pests for good.
10. Don’t DIY Certain Pests
Some infestations are too serious to tackle alone, and certain pests won’t respond to DIY treatments. Cockroaches and termites are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and trying to employ DIY methods may only make things worse. It is always best to contact a pest control professional when dealing with any infestation to ensure the problem is handled safely and effectively.
FAQs: Preventative Pest Control
Are natural methods as effective as chemical pesticides?
Both natural and chemical methods can be effective when it comes to pest control, but the effectiveness of each will vary depending on the type of pest you’re dealing with. For example, a wasp infestation outside of the home may respond to certain natural pest control methods. However, something more serious, like a cockroach infestation’, may need to be treated with stronger chemicals.
How often should I inspect my home for pests?
How often you inspect your home for pests will depend on where you live and if you have ever dealt with an infestation in the past. A good rule of thumb is to routinely look out for signs of a possible infestation every few months and to opt for a more thorough inspection once a year.
What are the costs associated with preventative pest control?
At Pest Czar, we offer several different pest control plans at different prices to suit every need and budget. Our Czar Guard Basic plan starts at $39 per month for essential protection, and our Czar Guard Plus package offers the most protection, including both indoor and outdoor pest protection against more than 15 common pests.