If your home is plagued by pests, you know what a nuisance these pests can be. They interfere with your life and your regular activities. They cause embarrassment when you entertain at home. If you want solutions on how to control your pest problem, read this article for some helpful ideas.
Use a specially trained dog to determine whether or not your home is infested with termites. An actual human inspector is only capable of verifying the safety of about one-third of the home. If you get a dog that can find them, they most likely ensure the safety of your entire residence. They will notice methane gas, which can come from termites consuming the wood in your home.
Avoid using wood chips and straw around the outside of your house when doing gardening or other outdoor hobbies/activities. Pests tend to be drawn to these substances and will eat them or try to live in them. You should consider using stone or rock whenever possible to avoid having issues.
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.
Stink bugs are persistent pests, so focus on your outdoor area to help eradicate the problem. Keep your bushes trimmed and make sure that firewood is stored well away from your home. Thirty feet from the dwelling is appropriate, if you have the space. In addition, the firewood needs to be kept just off the ground (about six inches).
Check to see that all of your food is airtight and sealed efficiently. If food is not sealed properly, it will give off an odor, which will attract a wide range of insects. This could lead to an infestation, which can cost you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Pesky mosquitoes are known to multiply in stagnant water. If you have a birdbath in your yard, change the water every three days. Many people also suggest adding lavender to a birdbath to help combat your mosquito population. So, try adding it to your birdbath each time you refill it.
Store flour, cereals, sugar, and other dry goods in sealed plastic, glass, or metal containers. This prevents invasions of pantry moths, weevils, ants, and even mice in your kitchen. Do not count on cardboard or other flimsy packaging to keep pests out. Mice can chew through them, and insects can penetrate tiny openings.
Avoid furniture from unknown sources. Furniture, especially upholstered furniture, can harbor pests. To keep them out of your home, avoid furniture from resale shops, trading websites, or the side of the road. If you bring an infested piece of furniture into your home, it can spread to all of your own furniture as well.
If you have many mosquitoes in your yard, and possibly even infiltrating your home, try to eliminate any standing water. If there is a high population of mosquitoes on your property, they are breeding somewhere, and they can only breed in standing water. Dump anything that collects rainwater, dump kid pools and do whatever you can to eliminate breeding grounds.
If you have an ant problem, boric acid is your solution. Sprinkle some of this outside. Especially around your home where they are getting in. When ants bring some back to the ant hill, the other ants will eat and and they will die. This will also help keep them from entering your home.
Keep your home clean. Food is the most common cause of pests infesting the home.
It basically lures them inside. Be sure to clean the counter tops and floors and clear out any food debris after eating and cooking. Keeping your surfaces clean can help prevent pests from entering your home.
Insects such as silverfish are usually attracted by the humidity in your home. Damp places help silverfish thrive in your home environment. Give these pests a run for their money by dehumidifying your home. Make them learn an extra lesson by fixing leaky pipes and using proper ventilation in all areas of your home.
If you own a dog, use it! Dogs are the best things to have in order to keep pests at bay. They will scare most furry pests away and will also notice them sooner than people will. Pay attention to what your dog does. If you see it scratching or sniffing around in an area a lot, there might be a pest living in that area so you should check it out!
Never take a pesticide and try to store in in another container. It is very important that you use the same container for the chemical that it came in. These are specially made to make sure that none of the chemicals are released in the air. Using something else may put your health in danger.
You should not rely on a single product to get rid of pest. In most cases, homeowners manage to get rid of pest thanks to a combination of products and actions. You could for instance clean your home entirely, spray some pesticide in some areas and fill the cracks in which pest is hiding.
If you follow the suggestions in this article, you do not have to live with your pests anymore. Take care of the problem as soon as you can, and do not wait. Putting it off will result in a bigger problem. Be diligent in your pest control, and you will have a healthier home.
