Inexpensive Ways to Keep Pests Away
Pests are not only destructive but also very embarrassing. It is a sign of poor hygiene to have critters like rats, cockroaches, and bedbugs crawling all over your house. This sends a very wrong signal to people who visit your home, which can have serious effects on your social life.
Remember, nobody wants to stay in a house infested with rats and bed bugs. So, as a homeowner, it is your duty to ensure your home is free of pests. The question is: How do you get rid of these creatures easily and safely? Well, this article offers you a few inexpensive ways to keep pests away from your house.
Use Traps
When you are dealing with some mischievous pests like mice and rats, you need to find the most effective methods that will guarantee you quick results. Also, when you are trying to get rid of mice, remember that their carcasses attract all kinds of insects. So, the best way to keep them away is not to poison them because they might die in concealed places in your house, where you can’t reach them.
As their carcasses decompose, mice and rats produce a very strong odor that will turn your home into a living hell. Therefore, the best way to get rid of them is to trap them. Fortunately, there are different types of mouse traps available on the market today. All you have to do is get the right trap.
Clean Your Home
Studies have shown that pests and insects thrive in untidy spaces. So, if you are finding it hard to get rid of pests in your house, you need to take a closer look at your overall sanitation. Start by devising new and more reliable ways to dispose of garbage, especially food leftovers.
Most pests feed on food leftovers and other edible stuff that could be lying around the house. And so, cleaning all utensils after every meal and disposing of garbage properly and away from the reach of pests will help a great deal in deterring them. Also, clear all grass clippings, garbage heaps, and decomposing leaves from your yard.
By trimming long branches that touch your house, cleaning up all pet poop, and securely covering all trash cans and compost heaps, you will be able to make your home unconducive to pests. You also need to pay close attention to your kitchen because that’s where most pests find something to eat. From sugar spills to food leftovers, these items will make your kitchen a safe haven for cockroaches and other insects.
Consequently, residues such as sugar, peanut butter, jelly, and others should be wiped off immediately. Also, keep fruits and vegetables in securely covered cabinets and refrigerators, and dispose of them properly when they get spoiled. Don’t forget to vacuum clean your kitchen regularly and rinse containers thoroughly before placing them in the recycling bin.
Seal All Unnecessary Openings
It is not a secret that most pests like hiding in openings in walls, ceilings, and floors. For that reason, all holes, cracks, and open spaces in your house should be sealed completely to keep the unwanted companions out. Walk around the house to check if there are exterior openings for pests to enter through.
These openings might include water inlets and outlets, utility meters, broken pipes, laundry vents, and broken attics. Also, repair weather stripping on doors and windows, as well as holes in screens. Don’t forget to keep your garage door completely shut whenever the garage is not in use.
Remove Woodpiles
If you don’t store firewood in your house properly, you are definitely going to contend with the problem of termites, ants, cockroaches, mice, and rats. Most of these pests like to hide under woodpiles and the wet ground beneath. So, to stop these creatures from entering your home, you must stack all your firewood on a raised surface and store them away from the house.
You can even consider installing a firewood rack in your yard if you have large piles of wood. A rack enables you to stack huge piles of firewood tidily and off the ground. If you can’t afford a firewood rack, stack the wood on a bench away from the house and wrap it with a tarp.
Use Cockroach Killers
Getting rid of cockroaches is much harder than just stepping on them when they pass by. You need a more effective method that will eliminate them for good. Roach killer has proved to be a reliable technique to permanently kill these stubborn pests off and drive out the survivors.
Unlike in the past when it was quite hard to find a roach killer, today there are countless brands on the market. These brands come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and forms. Regrettably, the growing variety has made it tedious for homeowners to find the right roach killer.
Nevertheless, the best roach killer should be able to get rid of the entire nest in just a few hours. It should also remain effective for at least one year, ensuring that no cockroach survives in your house. Cockroach killers are simply placed as baits near a group of cockroaches, who usually take the bait back to their nest, making it easier for you to kill the entire swarm effortlessly.
Effective Mosquito Management
They may be tiny and thin, but mosquitoes are real bloodsuckers that, at best, cause sleepless nights and at worst, transfer deadly diseases like malaria, Zika virus, among others. In fact, they are among the most dangerous pests.
To get rid of mosquitoes, there are several important things you have to do. First of all, you have to eliminate any potential breeding ground in and outside your house. Mosquitoes mainly breed in stagnant water, and so, you have to make sure there is no standing water anywhere near your house.
Secondly, you can use insect repellent sprays, powder, or candles to keep mosquitoes out of your house. Studies have also revealed that garlic odor can serve as a natural repellent to mosquitoes and other insects.
In conclusion, the first step towards making your home pest-free is to maintain cleanliness all the time. The best trick is to make your house less conducive for all pests by applying the right preventive measures.
Resources – Best of Machinery, MoneyTalksNews
