Discovering you have a pest problem can be discouraging. Use these tips to stop a pest infestation before it starts. There are many different ways to deal with a pest infestation. The below article provides some excellent advice to help you eliminate pests from your home for good.
Research which pest treatments are allowed in accordance to your building codes and local ordinances. Spraying down a locally banned chemical can backfire if you try and sell your home later. This is not typical, but you need to find out what you can use and cannot use.
A dog trained to sniff for termites is the best method for checking for an infestation around the house. Humans can verify that only a portion of your house is termite free. A well-trained, termite sniffing dog can find all of them. Dogs cannot be beat. When termites eat wood, they produce methane gas. That scent attracts the trained dog.
Even if you believe your bedbug problem is gone, be wary. Bedbugs can go without feeding for a whole year. So be sure to close any holes in the floors and walls. They will not be able to get into these areas.
Keep water from pooling and standing stagnant around your home. Stagnant pools of water will attract pests. Fix leaky pipes and check the water trays under any houseplants. Most pests require standing water to survive; therefore, it is important to remove any standing water.
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is fantastic for entertaining or keeping strangers away in the evening, but it can also attract pests. If you need outdoor lighting, try to use orange, pink, or yellow tinted bulbs since they don't attract pest as much.
One effective pest control method is the use of electronic pest repellents. They can be plugged in each room and let off a noise that repels rodents. Humans will be able to hear the sound, but the noise will not hurt you. Rodents will avoid this area since they don't like the sound.
If you keep pets, it's not wise to use mouse or rat poison. If a dog or cat catches the sick rodent or starts playing with one that's dead, it may consume the poison too. This bait is not recommended around kids either. Mouse poison can look like candy, so steer clear of this with children in your home.
Use plastic storage containers when storing dry food items. Many dry foods come in bags and boxes, and insects can very easily get inside of them. Every time you shop, transfer the dry goods into the plastic bins, and make sure that these are tightly sealed. Plastic containers are very good. They keep a tight seal and maintain the food's freshness.
Inspect your foundation and all walls for existing cracks. The older a house is the more cracks you will find within the structure. These can be used as entrance points for certain household pests. Inspect your ceiling too. This can often be a source of small cracks that pests will use.
Use this technique to trap silverfish. Take a wet newspaper and leave it out overnight. Silverfish often collect on the newspaper overnight. You then trap them before they start to scatter and dispose of them.
If bugs are an issue, you may be applying pesticide incorrectly. If you spray only the outside of a home, this is just keeping the pests in the home. When spraying outside your home, also spray inside your home.
If you see carpenter ants, you might have a bigger problem on your hands. They are attracted to wet wood, which means your house has a leak somewhere which can lead to wood rot. Have an expert determine your problem and a solution.
If professionals install mouse traps, be certain you know where they are. This is important, as you can't let your dogs get near these traps. Pets can become extremely ill or even die from the bait used in these stations.
Only use pesticides when the weather is appropriate for them. As an example, some products may advise against use in high temperatures, winds or rain. Keep in mind that although you want to get rid of pests, you should ensure you are being safe.
Dust Mites
No one wants to think about those pesky little dust mites living in their bed. Even if you don't have allergies to these dust mites, you may still want to get rid of them. Wash bed clothes in hot water every week and use pillow covers that are not permeable.
If you grow vegetables or fruits in your yard, cover them by using old pantyhose. This is a good way to keep insects as well as rodents and other animals away from your food. This pantyhose trick increases the chance that you will eat your food rather than insects or other animals.
Flying Insects
If you notice a number of flying bugs outside, try to plant marigolds near your house. Marigolds can repel flying insects. There are many varieties of plants that have the ability to repel insects. There are mosquito plants and citronella plants that will keep those pesky flying insects away from you.
If there are bees around your home, you probably would be best off calling a professional. It is not easy to figure out whether the bee is from an Africanized colony; trying to learn the species' differences can pose a risk to your health.
Pest control involves using the right approach to your specific problem. Remember to evaluate the possible health risks of pesticides before using any product. Although you want to eliminate your pests, you should ensure that the health of your loved ones isn't put into jeopardy.