With changes in season, homeowners experience different pest pressures throughout the year. It could be rodents seeking shelter when weather starts to get colder outside, or cockroaches & flies spreading like wildfires during their peak breeding season in the warmer months.
The truth is, pests are as invasive as ever before. Year round proactiveness is required to keep your properties safe and pest free. We have developed a list of proactive measures designed to help homeowners on their quest to keep their properties safe.
10 DIY Pest Prevention Tips:
1. Seal Entry Points
- Problem: Pests can make their way into your home from a hole smaller than 1/4 inch. Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and holes in walls, windows, doors, and foundations.
- Solution: Use caulk or weather stripping to seal these entry points and prevent pests from entering your home.
2. Maintain Cleanliness
- Problem: Pests are great at scavenging even small crumbs of food. Keep your home clean and clutter-free to reduce hiding places and food sources for pests.
- Solution: Regularly vacuum, sweep, and mop floors, and keep countertops and surfaces free of crumbs and spills.
3. Store Food Properly
- Problem: Improperly stored food is at risk of spillage, Proper food storage is crucial in preventing pests like ants, rodents, and cockroaches.
- Solution: Store food in airtight containers and keep pet food sealed when not in use.
4. Eliminate Standing Water
- Problem: Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and attracts other pests.
- Solution: Fix leaks, empty containers, and ensure proper drainage in your yard to eliminate standing water.
5. Use Natural Repellents
- Problem: Your home has everything pests seek, hence attracting them towards itself.
- Solution: Use essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender as natural repellents for insects like ants, mosquitoes, and spiders.
6. Keep Trash Sealed
- Problem: Trash can attract pests like rodents, flies, and cockroaches
- Solution: Use sealed trash bins, regularly empty them, and clean them to prevent odors and pest attraction.
7. Trim Vegetation
- Problem: Overgrown vegetation and tree branches can provide pests with easy access to your home.
- Solution: Regularly trim bushes, shrubs, and tree branches away from your home’s exterior.
8. Use DIY Traps
- Description: DIY traps can effectively catch and reduce pest populations.
- Action: Create and set up traps for pests like fruit flies, ants, and rodents using simple household items like vinegar, sugar, and bait.
9. Install Screens
- Description: Installing screens on windows, doors, and vents can prevent pests from entering your home.
- Action: Ensure screens are in good condition and repair any holes or tears promptly.
10. Regular Inspections
- Description: Regular inspections can help you identify and address pest issues before they become major problems.
- Action: Inspect your home periodically for signs of pests and take immediate action if you detect any activity.
