You may have taken steps to protect your home from burglars. But what about pests? Uninvited guests can make their presence known very quickly, and before you know it, you’ve got an infestation on your hands. With the holidays coming up, it’s probably a good time to pest-proof your home. Here are some tips to help you out.
Making your home into a fortress
Open windows, holes in the walls and cracks in the window frames offer an open invitation to pests lurking on the outside. By patching up these problems, you can turn your home into a fortress, and make it much more difficult to creatures to get in. Seal gaps in the doors and windows. Attach brushes to the bottom of the door, and fill in any holes in the wall.
Removing temptation
It’s common for animals like rats and mice to wander into a home because they can smell delicious treats on offer. Remove any temptations by putting food away, and using airtight containers. Take the trash out, and store bags in sealed bins. If you have pets, make sure their food is also stored in a sealed box or a locked cupboard.
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Tidying and cleaning
A cluttered, untidy room gives unwanted visitors plenty of spaces to hide. Try and keep your home as clean and tidy as possible. It’s particularly important to keep on top of cleaning in the kitchen. Wipe down the surfaces at least once a day, and brush and mop the floors.
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Tips to get rid of pests
If you’ve noticed droppings, you can hear noises at night, or you’ve spotted footprints, you may already have pests living in your home. You can often hear rats and mice scrabbling around during the night. You may spot your pets scratching or see flea feces on their bedding. You may have bites from bed bugs. You might have spotted cockroaches scuttling around in the garbage. If you see warning signs, it’s always best to take swift action.
If fleas are an issue, ask your vet for advice and groom your pets frequently. Vacuum every inch of your home, and wash all your bed linen at 60 degrees.
If you’ve seen droppings, you may be wondering how to get rid of rats. You can use traps, or simply try and block entry routes. If these methods don’t work, it’s best to call a pest control firm.
If you’ve seen cockroaches, you can use an insecticide as a repellent. If this doesn’t work, it’s best to seek professional advice.
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Most of us don’t want to share our homes with pests. Rats, mice, and fleas can keep us awake at night, as well as posing risks to your health. If you think you might have a pest problem, it’s best to tackle it head-on. Often, the situation can develop very quickly. It may be possible to combat an infestation yourself. But if you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. The sooner you get on top of a problem, the better.
