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Simple Household Pest Control Methods

Rodent
Rodent by Pixabay

No one likes the thought of having pests in their home, whether they be rodents, cockroaches, ants, or any other common household pests. If pest activity is common in your area, it is important to take steps to prevent them from infesting your home. Try these tips to help keep pests at bay over the years.

Seal Off Access Points

The best way to prevent pest infestations is to stop the pests from ever getting inside your house in the first place. To do this, you'll need to ensure there is no way for them to gain access. Check the weather stripping around your doors and windows, and ensure all vents are covered with screens. This includes in the eaves around your roof, as attics are common homes for pests.

Store Food Properly

Pests typically come inside looking for sources of food, so your goal is to make that task as challenging for them as possible. Once you have opened a package of food, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container rather than leaving it in the package. Pantries are the most common areas for pests to look for food, so make sure everything is sealed up tightly. The same goes for pet food. Invest in a storage container or choose pet food that comes in a resealable bag. If possible, keep it inside the house rather than in the garage.

Use Natural Deterrents

Before you resort to chemical pest control substances, try planting some natural pest deterrents, such as mint, basil, and lavender. Your local nursery or garden store can help you select varieties that are appropriate to the climate in your area, so don't be shy about asking. They can also advise you as to how to properly care for the plants to maximize their pest-deterring properties.

Know When to Call in the Professionals

Despite your best efforts, you may still end up with pests in your home. Particularly with wood borers, such as termites and carpenter ants, time is of the essence in getting rid of them to prevent damage. You generally won't be able to get rid of these types of pests on your own, so be sure to call in a pest control expert right away if you suspect you have an infestation. Regular visits from your pest control service can help keep most other common pests away as well, so you may wish to consider investing in an ongoing service if pests are a constant problem in your home.


Discussion

Eve Mitchell

Friday, December 2, 2022 at 1:45pm EST

It’s good to know that the best way to prevent pest infestations is to protect the perimeter of your home. I’ve noticed that I have a mouse in my home, and I have no idea how he got in. Hiring a pest control company would definitely help me figure out how he got in.


Clare Martin

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 5:10am EST

I found it helpful when you advised us to seal off access points since this is the best way to prevent pest infestations by stopping them from getting inside in the first place. I recently had our house here in Hallettsville remodeled and to prevent our previous pest infestation issue from occurring again, I plan to get preventative measures applied first. I’ll take note of this while I look for pest control services in Hallettsville to hire for help soon.


Clare Martin

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 10:11am EST

I’m glad you informed us that there are natural deterrents that can help us prevent pests from entering our properties, but we should make sure we do research first on the best options in our climate and how to properly care for them if we want to maximize their pest-deterring properties. I recently had a vacation home built in Albury so I need to apply preventative measures soon to ensure there won’t be any pest infestations happening on my property. I’ll take note of this while I look for a pest control company to hire here in Albury soon.


Elle Jones

Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 9:03am EST

It’s great that this article mentioned that we can use natural deterrents to keep pests off our properties, but if we want to get the most out of their pest-deterrent effects, we should make sure we research the best options for our climate and how to take care of them. I just had a vacation house built in Albury, so I need to take precautions right away to make sure there aren’t any pest infestations there. I’ll remember this when I searched for a pest control business to work with in Albury shortly.


Elle Jones

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 9:23am EST

It’s helpful to know that securing your home’s perimeter is the best defense against pest infestations. I have no idea how the iguana got inside my basement, but I’ve noticed that it’s there. It would help me to figure out how he got in if I hired a pest control company.


Jagrit

Friday, February 2, 2024 at 2:14am EST

Thank you for you advice. Rodents have made my life a living hell, I am SO tired of them. I want to get rid of them asap. I guess I’ll have to call the best exterminator in Oakland to get the job done.


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