It only starts with a single cockroach or rat, but in a short time, these pests will have multiplied in the house. In addition, you can contract a number of diseases that can lead to losses in terms of money or destroyed documents.
For that reason, it is important to keep the pests far from your house and compound using the following ways.
Start by Home Inspection
Before calling the professionals, you can start by fixing obvious gaps in your home. These include cracks which you can seal off using silicone-based caulk. Also ensure that your roof slopes well so that water doesn’t accumulate in one area to keep off pests such as mosquitoes which is a perfect breeding ground.
Areas around ventilation should be screened to ensure pests don’t gain entrance via such points.
Discard Garbage and Other Debris
Make sure you take out the garbage because any accumulation of decaying matter can attract a host of pests like flies and ants. The former can introduce fatal diseases. Therefore, it is crucial that you discard any dirt from your home.
Other than that, garbage can invite rodents to your home. Use trash bags and trash cans to discard garbage. In addition, you need to clear any debris in and outside the house. A number of pests like rodents use these areas as habitats.
Prune Trees Around your Home
Squirrels and raccoons use tree branches as access and exit points to your home. By trimming low-lying branches, you cut off access and in the long run, they will move away from the compound because they can no longer access your home.
Make Sure Your Kitchen is Clean
Cleanliness is important. Various pests like cockroaches love crumbs and other foodstuff that fall on the floor. It is also important for you clean any dishes before shutting your eyes at night. Some of the ways you can keep clean include:
- Taking out any garbage
- Clean the floors of any foodstuff before going to bed
- Clean the kitchen sinks and counter tops
Check for Water Damage
Rotten wood due to water damage can attract pests like termites. The latter are dangerous because they will eat away any wood in your house and cause fatal structural failures besides costing you a lot of money in repairs.
During rainy seasons, ants move to high areas to avoid rising water levels. One such high area is your house. To avoid such, get rid of rotting material that can offer shelter to the pests. Also, check for any leaks in pipes.
Check for Any Structural Damage
Rain, winds, storms and other factors can invite pests. Gaping holes in the roof can provide easy access to squirrels, raccoons, mice and rats as well as other smaller pests. Some of the areas that can be affected include roofs, soffits and sidings.
Call in the Professionals
Sometimes you just don’t know where to look and what to look for. If you find yourself in such a situation, the best way out is to call professional pest control services like Pest service Richmond VA. Regular inspection will keep the pests away.
In addition, pest infestation can be overwhelming and you might not have the expertise required to eliminate them. Pest control services will take care of the situation. however, before you call them into your residence, you need to perform a thorough background check to ensure they are good at what they do.
Below are some of the questions you can ask:
- Whether the company has a pest control license
- The process of pest extermination
- Whether the products to be used are harmful to humans
- Will they use any chemicals?
- The duration of the extermination
Conclusion
Prevention is better than cure and keeping pests away is better than having to deal with them once they occupy your home. With the above tips, you can keep most of the pests at bay. On the other hand, if you find the exercise too overwhelming, you can call Pest service Richmond VA.
