7 steps to making your home pest free
If you have ever found your home invaded by insects, rodents, birds, or any other pest species, it isn’t an experience that you want to repeat any time soon.
Instead of waiting until pests have already infested your home and only taking action once it is too late and damage has already been done, be pro-active in your approach and take steps to make your property less attractive to these species.
When it comes to pest control in Preston, professional help is never far away, so get in touch with your local experts if you ever feel as though things are getting out of control.
1) Eliminate Entry points
If pests are unable to access your property in the first place, they won’t be able to do you any harm.
Unfortunately, many pests are extremely small and can squeeze their way through the smallest of gaps.
It might not be feasible to seal each and every crack around your windows or in your exterior walls, and insects will undoubtedly be able to find their way inside somehow, but filling in some of the larger gaps with steel wool or similar will make it significantly harder for larger pests such as mice and rats to gain access.
2) Use sealed containers for food storage
Many pests such as rodents rely on their enhanced sense of smell to navigate and your unsealed food packaging will be like a beacon to their highly-sensitive nose.
Many insects, such as pantry moths will also thrive in these environments so make sure to use sealed containers for any open food goods, especially cereals, grains, and crackers.
3) Keep your home tidy
Regular cleaning, including vacuuming, mopping, and dusting, are essential to the overall hygiene of your home. They also make the property less attractive to pests, as there will be no piles of untouched clothing or fabrics that they may decide to make their home.
During the cleaning process you will also remove crumbs and other food waste that might attract pests in the first place.
4) Keep your drains clean
Drains and sinks clogged with gunk are a haven for pests who will thrive in the filth covered environments that we find disgusting.
If you see signs that your sink is beginning to drain slower than it once did or can visibly see a blockage, it is time to either have your drains professionally cleaned, or to use a homemade drain cleaner such as baking soda combined with vinegar.
5) Don’t leave waste lying around
Leaving waste lying around either inside or outside your home is never a good idea. Make sure that all our external bins have a secure lid, especially those containing food waste.
Most people are well aware that this type of trash is appealing to pests, especially in city centres where birds, foxes, and rodents are regularly seen sifting their way through domestic dustbins, but your garden waste, particularly compost and leaf litter, are also ideal habitats for a wide variety of different pest species.
6) Wash out recyclables
It is not only general waste that you need to take care with when guarding against pest infestations but recyclables too.
Many people throw away their cans, bottles, and other recyclable packaging thinking that they are doing the right thing, without realising that they are leaving remnants of the prior contents on the inside.
Make sure to thoroughly rinse out all your recyclables before putting them into the appropriate bins. This will not only reduce the risk of your property being the victim of a pest infestation but will also help out your local waste collection team and recycling centre.
7) Know the signs of pest activity
You will often see the signs of a pest infestation before the pests themselves and knowing what to look for can be vital in preventing a problem from getting out of control.
Unfortunately, by the time you actually see rodents such as mice and rats, there is probably already a large population nearby and professional Pest Control in services are required.
Take the time to learn the common signs of the most prominent pest species in your area, giving you the edge when it comes to keeping them at bay.
Call a professional pest control expert
By following the advice in this guide, you will be able to significantly reduce the risk of a pest infestation occurring in your home or business.
If you have already seen signs of pest activity or believe that there is an established pest infestation on your property, however, don’t panic.
A professional Pest Control expert will have all the training and experience to deal with the problem, using tried and tested methods such as pesticides, trapping, heat treatments and much more besides.
Once the treatment program has been completed and your property is pest free once again, you can then put the preventative measures mentioned above in place to guard against a repeat incident in the future.
