Even if you adore animals, chances are you don’t want pests in your home. Nobody wants pests in their home, whether rodents, insects, or other critters and creepy crawlies. While there are numerous pest control treatments available today, prevention is always preferable to cure. Pest Control Elk Grove can help you prevent pests and other pests from entering your home. However, prevention is something that you can do on your own as well. Here are some simple steps to follow in order to protect yourself from pests.
Repair Interior Cracks
What is the first step in do-it-yourself pest control? Prevent pests from entering your living space from the outside. Pests can enter through the smallest of cracks, such as holes in window screens or poorly sealed doorways. Seams should be sealed along the interior baseboards and other major joints like the eaves, corners, and below the window frames. Most pests prefer to remain hidden during the day, so they seek out small spaces to hide until they find food.
Examine Your Foundation
Basements and crawl spaces are notorious for harboring large spiders, cockroaches, and other grotesque creatures for a reason. The damp and dark environment is ideal for many insects and rodents to thrive unnoticed. Furthermore, homeowners are less likely to notice small cracks and holes in their basements until problems such as leaks and pests arise.
Plan a Roof Inspection
Hidden areas in your attic and roof, like your basement, can cause problems. Rodents, squirrels, and even raccoons can enter your home through open eaves entryways. Common roof pests include wasps, bees, hornets, and other nesting insects looking for a dry, warm place to spend the winter. A roof inspection should be scheduled annually, and you should inquire about help in recognizing pests.
Examine Your Environment
Is your lawn attractive to local pests? Throughout the year, piles of wood, uncovered compost, and other dense areas can serve as breeding grounds for pests. In addition to removing any rubble or thick brush, consider planting pest-repellent plants to keep insects like mosquitoes at bay.
Unruly Branches Must Be Trimmed
Examine the trees that have grown up to the roof or eaves of your house. When squirrels and other animals have easy access to your roof, they jump to it and burrow into the attic. A Pest Control Elk Grove can help you with a thorough inspection of your home so that you can identify any problem areas and take steps to prevent pests from entering your property.
Get Rid of Food Temptations
While maintaining a spotless dwelling is the best defense against pests, common problem areas are often overlooked. After feeding your pet, put their bowls away and store dry food in airtight containers.
Rethink your waste management and recycling strategies. Tuck wastebaskets behind a cabinet or closet doors and always cover them with a lid when possible. If you toss something that smells a little stronger than usual, bring the bag outside before it attracts visitors.
Finally, keep in mind that not all pests require traditional food to survive. Pantry pests, for example, can eat through paper packaging, leaving you to deal with kitchen bugs. Drain flies and gnats can also feed on organic matter found in plants and plumbing.
Keep An Eye Out For Any Standing Water
We all know that mosquitoes require standing water to breed, but a humid and water-filled environment also appeals to many other pests. Silverfish, earwigs, and even cockroaches prefer moist conditions. In addition to trouble spots such as basements and leaking attics, keep an eye out for standing water in your yard. Poor drainage or foundation issues may necessitate the use of a professional to reroute excess water from a recent storm.
Recognize the Warning Signs
While avoiding pests entirely is ideal, being aware of any developing issues can help you head off a major infestation before it even starts. Find out what kind of bugs could be bothering you outside. When the temperature drops, bugs are more likely to seek shelter indoors if there are too many of them outside.
What’s Next
Pest Control Elk Grove is a challenge all homeowners will face at some point in their lives. Thankfully, home pest prevention is easily achievable through regular maintenance, foresight, and careful planning. If your pest control management plan fails, there are several options for dealing with an infestation if you catch it early.
Are you ready to begin pest-proofing your home? Now is the time to put the DIY pest control tips above into action or to contact Pinnacle Pest Control for more professional advice.
