Dealing with unwelcome household pests can really try your patience. The best way to deal with the appearance of such nuisances is to arm yourself with knowledge. Review the tips and tricks that follow below and get the tools you need to eliminate common pests from your life starting today and going forward.
Ask your exterminator what the risks of using their pesticides are. Everything comes with some level of risk, and some chemicals can be very dangerous for children or pets. If your exterminator is unsure you should find out before you let them proceed. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry.
If you think you may have termites, but are not certain, call in the dogs. They beat humans at sniffing termites out. Human inspectors can only really verify approximately one-third of your whole home. A properly trained dog can check out one hundred percent of your home. The seek methane gases that come from the termites’ wood eating process.
Remove full garbage from the home immediately. Garbage left sitting around for too long is one of the main reasons for pest invasions into a home. The minute your garbage is full (or even if it isn’t but it’s been out for awhile), remove it from your living area and place it in the proper receptacle for pick up.
Before you attempt to get rid of any pests, you must identify them. Not knowing what kind of pests you’re dealing with can lead to using ineffective methods or methods that make the situation worse. By properly identifying the type of pests you’re dealing with, you can develop control measures that can get rid of them.
If you want to plant new trees but you get mice often, place the trees far from your house. Rodents are proficient climbers, and they can use trees to gain access to your home. A good rule of thumb is to plant trees no less than 15 feet from the edge of your house.
If you spot bugs or pest in an apartment complex, you need to complain to your landlord immediately. You will not successfully eradicate the pest if you take action by yourself. The only way to get rid of pest is to treat the entire apartment complex at once, which means residents might have to stay somewhere else for a few days.
Are you finding rodents in your home? You need to inspect your home from the outside and look for small cracks animals might squeeze through. Fill any cracks you find with scouring pads, or fill them with poison. Mustard oil may work as well.
Avoid keeping garbage in the house for long. It is common for people to want to let the trash can fill before emptying. However, when you have thrown away food and food packaging, you create an environment that draws pests. Use a lidded can and take your trash out at least once a day.
Washing hands frequently doesn’t just prevent colds, it can keep bugs away also. Never touch cabinets, drawers or open the fridge while you are preparing food without first washing your hands. The remnants on your fingers can leave a tempting scent for lurking insects or even provide them with a good meal.
Your recycle garbage can attract pests. You should keep it outside. If you are unable to store your recyclables outside, rinse all containers before you put them in the recycle bin. You may also want to get recycling containers that are sealed.
Enlist the help of your neighbors to get rid of pests. You might have the same problem they are having, especially if you live in the city. Even if you had taken care of it at your own home, if these pests live in the house next door, they are able to go back to your home. Round up your neighbors to figure out how to eliminate pests for good.
Hornets, wasps, and other dangerous bees (not honey bees) are a seemingly scary problem that can be exterminated easily. Wasp and hornet killer is inexpensive and doesn’t require you to be near the nest to use it. Alternatively, hair spray can also be used through products designed to kill wasps/hornets are preferable.
Find some pest resistant plants for your garden. It will be a lot easier and cheaper to take care of your garden if your plants are strong enough to keep pest away. You could also introduce some insects such as ladybugs who are know for eating certain kind of pest.
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.
You should have a weekly or bi-weekly cabinet cleaning schedule. These dark spaces, full of hiding places, are a great home for pests. Use an environmental, non-toxic pesticide in the corners and joins of the wood each season. Always be watchful for signs of potential infestation that will need to be dealt with.
To reduce mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus they carry, change the water in your birdbath completely every three days. It’s important to do the same for any standing water, be it a bucket, kiddie pool or other water trap. Don’t let water pool on your exterior either to ensure no mosquitoes breed there.
Always thoroughly read the product label prior to buying or using it. Not all pesticides are right for you. Certain ones can’t be used in certain locations. In addition, different pesticides treat different pests. Therefore, you must be sure that your pesticide is safe and effective. Do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer of the product if you have any questions.
Nobody wants to be confronted with the nightmare of household pests. However, those who possess a good understanding of how best to deal with them need not worry the next time uninvited guests of this sort appear. Heed the advice listed above and prepare yourself to eradicate even the most stubborn of intruders.
