Whether you call home a trailer or a mansion, pest problems don't need to be a part of your life! If you have pests, keep reading for useful tips on fixing the issues. If you start to tackle things now, you can have a pest-free home before long.
The beginning is the place to start. If you have trouble with pests, figure out what they're eating. Pests are in the house because they have access to food, water and comfort. Try to fill cracks, clean food sources and block entry to your house.
You need to always have an inspector take a look at a house before you decide to buy it. Some pest problems are easy to spot, but others pests may be invisible because they hide in the home's foundation or insulation. You won't be able to identify these problems with a simple walkthrough.
Try using pesticides around the foundation of your home. Spray your foundation, your steps, porch and any areas that are near windows and doors. Make sure you are keeping your eyes open for any cracks. Use a caulk or sealer to plug these small areas off.
It is very difficult to get rid of bedbugs. Over the course of a year, bedbugs can remain dormant. Therefore, you should ensure that any openings in the floors and walls are kept closed. They will not be able to get into these areas.
Seal food that isn't being used. If there's one thing for which pests will make a beeline, it is food, so you don't want to tempt them. In addition, when your trash bag is full, take it out immediately. Both insects, critters and rodents alike find it hard to resist the smell of garbage.
New screens are a great way to keep out pests. Not only do they keep out the flying pests, but they help to keep out small crawling insects as well. Fix any holes you find and replace the screens if they are damaged.
Are you dealing with ants? Use a mix of borax and sugar to eradicate them. Sugar attracts the ants, and the borax kills them. All you need is a cup of both sugar and borax and a jar. Put holes in your lid, and then sprinkle it along your home's foundation.
Check your home for hidden standing water. Pests are drawn to pools of standing water. Make sure to check your entire home for leaky pipes and make sure to clean the water trays under the house plants. Pests require water to thrive, so getting rid of it will make it that much harder for pests to live in your home.
Mint Leaves
Put some mint around the house to keep mice away. A group of plants situated along your home's foundation will repel them. The smell will bother mice and other small animals. If mice is living in your home, you can sprinkle mint leaves all around the area where you see signs of mice. Mice usually don't like mint leaves, but you have to remember to keep fresh ones out.
Incorrectly or badly installed plumbing can be inviting to some pests, so always check your plumbing when you are having pest problems. Ensure that the sinks and drains inside and around your house are free of clogs Organic materials inside drains can prove quite hospitable to insects. After you have cleared the drains, check them every month.
If you're storing a camper or a travel trailer during the winter, mice can find their way in sometimes. There are repellents that are natural and effective that keep these things away from your property. The little repellant bags smell good and aren't poisonous, but they prevent mice from getting inside campers and RVs.
If there are pets in your household, don't put out rat and mouse poison. If one of your pets find the mouse, whether dead or alive, they could get poisoned as well. You should also not use rat poison if you have small children. They may believe the poison pellets are candy.
Find out as much as you can about the rodents or bugs when you start to have a problem. Learn what attracts your pests, as well as what will repel them or eradicate them. Tailoring your plan of action to the particular type of pest involved is the ideal approach to removing them from your home.
Hairspray can be used to kill flying insects. Hairspray will not harm your pets, but does kill bugs effectively. The hairspray creates a sticky barrier that prevents them from getting nourishment. This is a great option if you happen to have a bee fly in your home and do not want to get too close.
Always take care to properly store edible items in airtight containers. Glass or plastic containers are ideal, but they need a lid with a tight seal. Insects and rodents can easily chew through paper or cardboard packages.
Cracks in your home's basement or structure are entrances for pests. Cracks naturally surface over time in every house. Pests can use them as access points. Check your ceiling over. Your ceiling can have numerous small cracks in it, which pests can use to enter your home.
A carpenter ant infestation is a sign of a bigger issue. They only like to eat wet wood, so that means you can have an issue with leaks and potentially wood rot in your home. Bring in a pro to tell you how to deal with the problem.
You should not have to live with insects or rodents, no matter what your current situation is. Apply what you've read here, and start living without these intruders. No one should have to deal with pests and insects where they sleep. Hopefully you are able to take care of this problem quickly.