If you have a pest problem, you may be feeling completely overwhelmed. Although you may feel like you are attempting every method of getting rid of them, they are not going down in numbers. In fact, they seem to be multiplying! If you feel this way, try out the tips in this article and find what works for you.
Steel wool is a great way to deter mice and other critters. Steel wool will prove nearly impossible for even a rat to chew through. Stuff any opening that is bigger than one half inch. Small pests can squeeze through these tiny openings.
You should always fix any leaks in the plumbing of your house. You will also want to look for any other sources of water lying around. A place people often look is under their houseplants. Bugs tend to go places in which they can find water so they can drink and breed.
Keep sweet smelling food products in sealed containers or in the fridge. Sweet foods can easily attract a vast variety of pests, from rodents to ants. If you do not have enough containers to seal your sugar, cereal and breads you should invest in them. It will cost you a lot less than paying an exterminator.
Remember that as much as your houseplants might bring life to your home, some of that life might be pests. If you suspect that they are infested with aphids, spray your houseplants regularly with a solution of soap and water. That should be enough to manage the pest problem without exposing your plants and home to insecticides.
Bugs and other types of pests love clutter. It gives them lots of shelter and places to hide. When you reduce the amount of clutter in and around your home, you are reducing the habitat for these pests. Remove old clothes, books, boxes, and other clutter from around your home to reduce your chances of an infestation.
If you have a water leak, fix it promptly. Pests love to find those water sources. They can sense drips and leaking in pipes. You can avoid pest by taking care of your plumbing. Just put in some work to fix the leak, and you can prevent having to put in a lot of work to eliminate pests from your home.
If you believe you have bed bugs, you can help control the population by washing your clothes. However, you have to be careful when doing so. Put all of your clothing into a plastic bag. Seal it up to take it to the laundry room. Wash it all in the hottest water possible and then dry it on high heat. Remember that it is very hard to eradicate bed bugs on your own, so call around and see if a company will do a free inspection for you.
If you’re using mulch, don’t mulch all the way to the side of your home. Leave a gap about half a foot in length between the mulch and your outdoor wall. This will give you (or any exterminator) a better ability to see if any pests (like termites) are crawling from the mulch onto your outdoor wall.
Store your dry foods in plastic containers. Pests have easy access to dry goods when they are left in their boxes or plastic packages. Every time you shop, transfer the dry goods into the plastic bins, and make sure that these are tightly sealed. Your food will stay fresher and the pests will not be able to get into them.
Try to reduce the amount of cardboard boxes that are lying around your house. Pests love to hide in and around these cardboard boxes, and will multiple if you leave them there for a long period of time. Take this precaution if you want to save a lot of time and money.
If you need help with getting rid of your pest, give a call to the National Pesticide Information Center. You will be able to ask your questions about pesticides and learn how to use these products safely and efficiently. You should also ask about alternatives you can use against pest.
To prevent insects from invading your house, keep all bushes and flowers at least a couple of feet from all entrance points. Tiles really work great at deterring pests from invading your home. You can also keep windows open if there won’t be any flying insects coming in.
When you’re dealing with a larger creature, such as a mouse, consider putting cooked back or even peanut butter on the trap. Let peanut butter dry out a bit to harden and attach the bacon so that it will pull on the trigger and trap the mouse in the trap.
If you are going to use a chemical-based pesticide, it should only be used on the cracks and crevices. Do not spray the chemicals all around the entire room. While that may kill most of the pests that you are trying to get rid of, it also makes it hard for people to breathe.
If you live in an older house, check your house for a termite problem regularly. Signs of termite infestation include small piles of wood dust near wooden beams. Termites can cause major damage to your home if the problem does not get addresses. Call in a professional to assess the damage and to get rid of the problem once and for all.
If you have children, you need to use pesticide on your lawn to prevent fire ants from hurting your children. Fire ants have been known to kill people who have an allergic reaction to their sting. At your local home-improvement store, you can find pellets to spread on your lawn to kill fire ants along with a host of other harmful insects.
It can be very difficult and frustrating to battle pests in your home. To fully eliminate them from your home, it can take a long time. Apply the advice from this article to help you get your problem under control. You can enjoy sleeping in a pest-free environment.
