A Homeowner’s Guide To Protecting Furniture From Pests

Pests like termites, bed bugs, and beetles are among the biggest woes for homeowners. They seem to come from nowhere and can cause extensive damage to your home and furniture pieces. They can easily find hiding places under the furniture and even inside it, and even feed on the wood and fabric. You may not even detect the damage till it is too late or there is a full-blown infestation. The best way to stay safe is to prevent them in the first place. Here is a practical guide for homeowners looking to protect their precious furniture pieces from pests.

Clear the clutter

Decluttering is the best thing you can do for your living space. The more stuff you have in your house, the greater is the probability of pests being around. Clutter gives them easy options to hide and breed. A regular decluttering schedule can make all the difference. Start by assessing the stuff you own and eliminate everything redundant. Although it sounds hard, giving up on extra pieces will make the space open and prevent an infestation in the long run.

Pay attention to signs and symptoms

While there are some usual signs and symptoms of pest presence, homeowners ignore them till the damage is done. You can go through pest-help.com to learn about the common indications of pest presence in your living space. Be vigilant about the smallest signs like wings, spots, stains, and feces. These tiny intruders have an uncanny ability to hide in the most unexpected places and go undetected for years. So if you notice anything unusual, get professional help at the earliest. 

Avoid buying used pieces

You may love that antique bed on a used-furniture website, or that sofa displayed in the neighbourhood garage sale may look just perfect for your living room. But used furniture is always risky because it may tow in pests along. Most homeowners in the country discard old stuff because it is infested. It is best to steer clear of old stuff and opt for new because you will want your money’s worth in the long run. 

Treat wooden surfaces

Wood attracts bugs and termites the most because they feed on it. Treating wooden surfaces is a reliable strategy to save your furniture from pests. You can use simple wood polish on surfaces or treat it with natural remedies such as aloe vera, olive oil, and vinegar. Keeping the wood dry and clean is equally important because moisture and dirt are the main culprits that lead to an infestation.

Expose the furniture to sunlight

The easiest and cheapest way to get rid of pesky pests hiding deep within the furniture is getting them out. Every couple of months, get your furniture pieces outdoors and expose them to sunlight. Pests like termites and beetles cannot withstand sunlight and will make their way out on exposure to bright sunlight. It will also help control moisture, which is another risk factor for infestation. Fresh air is also good for your furniture as it ends up smelling fresh when you take it back inside again.

While these measures go a long way in keeping your home furniture infestation-free, you should not cringe at professional help. You must call experts right away at the first signs of an infestation because a delay can lead to a full-blown one. 

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