Pest Control Advice

Your house may feel like an oasis at the end of a long day. What you don't want it to feel like, however, is a holiday home for pests. Whether you wish to take measures to prevent pests from settling in in the first place, or you need to implement pest control for an existing problem, doing a little research can save you both time and money.

Pests come in all shapes and sizes — from cockroaches and ants to rodents and beyond. When it comes to food and shelter, however, they're pretty much alike. Here are a few tips to help you prevent your home from being infested by unwanted pests.

Dispose of rubbish regularly

To a pest, your rubbish can feel like a banquet. So take the time to take out the rubbish at the end of each day. If it gets collected on a weekly basis, make sure that the larger rubbish bin remains in the garage or outside to lessen the chance of pests making their way into your living space.

Keep food in secure containers

If it feels like pests have some sort of superpower for tracking down sources of food, that's because they do. For example, ants have a lot of odour receptors. So you could prevent pests from entering your home by using securely sealed, smell-blocking containers for your food. That also goes for any items in your pantry or those left sitting on your kitchen counter.

Deep clean your home

By vacuuming, mopping or wiping down each corner of your home, you'll increase the chances of banishing the source of something that could attract the attention of pests. Besides making your place simply look and smell better, deep cleaning it will also provide an opportunity to find and eliminate could-be pest breeding grounds. Small flies, for example, thrive and multiply in a neglected drain, which you can put a stop to by using drain cleaner.

Know when to call a professional

While the term "pest infestation" applies to multiple situations, some require more pest control than others. If you're having to deal with pests in or around your home, the first thing you should do is assess what types of pests they are, where they're located, and how widespread the problem is. While you may be able to handle the problem yourself if your kitchen is attracting seasonal fruit flies, if termites are destroying your support beams, that's another matter. You should also contact a professional if the pest infestation is recurring. While a DIY approach may be effective in the short term, a professional can help put a stop to the problem permanently.

Contact a pest control company for more information.