Each season comes with their own pest problems however, the winter season is a pest’s favorite time of year, and this includes pests inside your home. Without pest prevention in the winter, you might find yourself with an infestation on your hands before you know it. Which is why we want to share with you some of the best pest prevention tips to follow throughout the entire winter season and throughout the rest of the year too!
Pest Prevention
Pest prevention is a little bit different than pest control. Pest control takes place after an infestation is already in full swing, while pest prevention is more of an offensive measure to prevent pests problems before they even occur. And there are a few different ways that you can eliminate conditions both inside and outside of your home that will appeal to pests. Here are some of our best pest prevention tips!
Clean your Home Regularly
This is the simplest form of pest prevention that there is because the cleaner your is home the less attractive it will be for pests and insects. Taking the time to vacuum, mop, and complete other household chores regularly will help disturb the areas that a pest may be making a home.
And when you take the time to pick up crumbs and other debris you will be helping to rid your home and the area of a potential food source for these pests. So taking the time to regularly clean your home is one of the best ways to practice pest prevention.
Minimize the Number of Plants and Mulch
The next pest prevention method we want to discuss is the trimming back of any tree branches or shrubs that may touch your home. These branches act as a sort of bridge that pests will use to easily reach your house and eventually find their way in. Another thing to take into consideration when it comes to pest prevention is that mulch in your garden beds can also provide shelter to different insects and pests. One way to stop this from occurring is instead of of using mulch in the areas that are close to your foundation you should opt for stone or other materials that aren’t as attractive to pests.
Store Food in Sealed Containers
Pests such as rodents have an excellent sense of smell and if there is an open container of food somewhere within your home then they are bound to scope it out. It is because of this that you should always store pantry foods such as cereal, flour, sugar, and crackers in air tight reusable containers. It is also important for you to try to clean out your pantry on a regular basis so you can remove any out of date food as well as other items that you don’t plan to eat. Doing all of these things is a great form of pest prevention and also a great way to minimize attracting pantry pests.
Seal Windows and Doors
Pests are capable of squeezing their way through even the tiniest of cracks and gaps, so it is important for you to take the time to repair or replace any broken or warped doors and windows. You will also want to replace or repair any tears in your window screens, these screens act as an extra layer of protection against these pesky pests!
Clean Your Drains
One pest prevention techniques that may seem like common knowledge is to clean out your sink and floor drains. These drains will often accumulate gunk and other debris which will attract pests and provide the ideal conditions needed for breeding. It is because of this that you want to regularly inspect and clean every drain in and around your home, including drains in your basement and laundry room. There are plenty of cleaners that you can use do this, however baking soda and vinegar make a wonderful homemade drain cleaner that creates a foaming reaction to help flush out any clogs.
Dispose of Trash and Litter Properly
Many people are well aware that household garbage will attract pests such as ants, rodents, and even roaches. However, what many people don’t take into consideration is that your outdoor trash can do the exact same thing. This is why it is important for you to make sure that all of your trash cans have tight fitting lids and that the area around the cans is clear of debris. You should also make sure to keep your garage, deck, patio, and yard free of any leaf litter, standing water, and plant clippings all of which can provide the ideal environments for pests to create their home.
Use the Proper Light Bulbs
We know this may seem strange on a list of pest prevention tips however, using the right light bulbs can have a large impact on pests in and around your home. Insects that are attracted to light sources such as moths, beetles, and bugs are drawn to standard mercury vapor lights and halogen lights. Opting for a bulb that has a pink, orange, or yellow tint will make your home less attractive to insects. While it is common to put lights in front of your exterior doors, it is better to position the light farther from your home or the entry point. This will help keep most of the insects from being able to find their way inside.
Look for Interior Gaps
A lot of pest prevention methods will take place outside and around your home, however there are some cracks and gaps that will be visible only from the inside. Because of this you should take the time to regularly check inside, under, and behind your fridge, kitchen cabinets, and even stoves for any signs of pests. If you happen to find any gaps it is important that you seal them off right away to avoid any sort of pest infestation.
Rinse Before You Recycle
Just like we mentioned with your trash, you will want to make sure that you store your recyclable items in a trash can that has a tight fighting lid. If for some reason the municipalities in your area provide you with an open bin you should make sure to thoroughly rinse all of the food off of your them before you place them outside. Taking a few extra minutes to do this will help keep you pest free, and is any easy pest prevention tactic.
Let our Team Help Tackle Pest Prevention!
The last thing you want is to have a full on pest infestation taking over your home! Which is why it is important for you to take steps to help prevent these pests from even crawling over the threshold in the first place! Our team at Sigma Pest Control can help you take preventative steps as well as help you tackle any pest problems you may be currently experiencing. Call our team today for more information about our pest control services!