Ants, mosquitoes, and other pests can make it difficult to spend time outdoors. When pests find their way inside your house, things get even worse. Nothing is more frightening than stumbling across a giant spider in an unexpected place or seeing cockroaches ghost currying when you turn on the lights in your kitchen.
Luckily, there are some steps that you can take to keep pests away. Try using these 10 tips to control pests, both inside your home and outdoors in your yard or garden.
1. Keep Unwanted Pests From Getting In
Rather than trying to treat pest infestations, it makes far more sense to prevent them in the first place. One of the best ways to do that is by blocking any entry points where they could gain access to your home. This includes sealing off any holes or openings in the outside of your home. Pay particular attention to your doors and windows since these areas are some of the most likely places for pests to get in.
2. Keep Your Kitchen Clean
Insects and rodents are attracted to crumbs and other tiny bits of food. Cleaning up any messes as soon as they occur is the best way to keep these unwanted critters away. Anytime you eat or prepare food in your kitchen, make sure to clean up afterward, wiping down the counters, sweeping up the floor, and storing any unused food in airtight containers. Don’t forget to frequently empty the garbage, as well.
3. Remove Water Sources
Mosquitoes and other insects are naturally drawn to standing water according to Rapid Response Pest Control In Glasgow. Check your property for areas where water has accumulated. Standing water can be difficult to spot from afar. You may need to walk your entire property to find problem areas where water is gathering. Be sure to check the areas where your gutters drain as well as the area around your air conditioner.
4. Stay On Top Of Your Yard Work
Overgrown grass, trees, or vegetation all provide the perfect habitat for pests. Keeping your grass mowed, trimming back trees, and pruning shrubs can help make your yard less hospitable to these tiny creatures.
5. Throw Away Old Produce
Old, rotting vegetables and pieces of fruit can attract insects like fruit flies. To avoid this problem, throw away produce when it starts to get too old to eat.
6. Implement Proper Firewood Storage
Piles of firewood provide excellent habitat for termites. To avoid allowing these pests to infiltrate your home, make sure that your firewood is stored far away from your house. The more distance there is between your house and your firewood pile, the less likely problems are to occur. To make it harder for insects to take up residence in your firewood pile, consider storing it up off of the ground, as well.
7. Wait to Throw Away Meat
If you throw old pieces of meat and your garbage too soon, they could wind up spoiling. This, in turn, could lead to a major problem with pests. Keep any old pieces of meat in your refrigerator or freezer until the day that your garbage is being picked up to keep them from rotting and attracting insects.
8. Don’t Allow Spiders To Take Over Outdoor Equipment
If you have outdoor furniture or outdoor play equipment, periodically inspect it for spider nests, webs, or other signs of insects. Get rid of these items whenever you find them.
9. Designate Certain Toys For Outdoor Use
If your children are going to play with toys outside, make sure that they don’t bring those toys back into your home. Usually, it is a good idea to have separate toys for indoor and outdoor play.
