One or two bugs finding their way into your home isn’t too big a deal considering they probably followed you in or got lost. The real problem begins when you start seeing them recurring — something is a-miss. Suddenly, you’ve got a kitchen buzzing with fruit flies or you’re seeing structural damage to the side of the home!
We could say clean more but that’s common sense, right?
At any given time, there could be almost 100 different pests in your home. Yikes! That’s not going to fly so let’s get down to it and get rid of them once and for all. From ensuring that there are fewer gaps in your home’s structure to hiring a leading pest control and prevention company, here are the ways to deal with an invasion of pests.
The Most Common Household Pests
This all depends on your area but the most common pests you’ll find in a home (and the problems they bring) include:
- Mice — Little rodents trying to find a cozy space to live but unfortunately carriers to problems like Lyme diseases, Typhus, and even Plague!
- Roaches — Big ones, small ones, others that fly, these critters lurk in the dark corners and crevices of your home bringing along Gastroenteritis, Cholera, and Salmonellosis!
- Termites — They don’t carry any disease but these dreaded buggers slowly eating away at your home’s foundation placing everyone inside at risk!
- Bed Bugs — Parasitic pests trading disease for itchiness and annoyance that, once found a home in your furniture and nooks, aren’t going away anytime soon!
- Mosquitos — The epitome of annoyance and itchiness, these flying pests always find their way in and could carry nasty problems like Malaria, Yellow Fever, or West Nile!
And, of course, there are a whole bunch of others from spiders and beetles to lizards and ants. At any given time there are countless bugs and other critters in your home’s proximity. You’d think you’d get quickly overrun… unless you do the following…
Smart Ways to Keep the Pests at Bay
We can’t realistically expect every pest blocked from entering our home. There are plenty of ways they can get in like them sneaking in our carried items to just buzzing through the window when it’s open.There are, however, plenty of ways you can mitigate their problems — and protect you and loved ones from diseases. Rats, for example, can be dealt with by hiring a rodent exterminator. This should be done sooner rather than later, however, as rats can spread disease quickly and even a small bite can become infected. Never pick up a rat with bare hands either, as their claws can be surprisingly sharp.
Not counting the “keep things clean”, here are some things you should consider:
- Get the Pros — Moxie Pest Control can make quick work of an impending infestation before it gets out of control. If you’re seeing too many bugs coming in and “appearing” then you need to get the heavy hitters involved. Pro services have the right training and supplies to exterminate and keep pests at bay for months on end (giving you plenty of time to change some of the habits bringing them in).
- Trim the Yard — Go throughout the yard and time back brush and build-up. This includes any plant(s) getting too close to the foundation of your home (giving critters an easy way to get inside). Try to keep about 1 – 3-foot spacing especially around the windows.
- Regular, Skin-Friendly Washes — We’re quick to rush to the store to buy the nastiest can of bug spray. But, consider others in your home. It’s better to do regular linen, furniture, carpet washes with something safe for your health than the hail-Mary pest bombing. Try using eco-friendly treatments or natural pest control products.
- Take Care of Fido — Regularly do checkups on your pets for fleas, ticks, and mites. They could easily track them in after a trip to the dog park or from a hike. Give them a good, thorough wash down after these big events. And, use drops and treatments to keep these nasty pests at bay.
- Seal It Up — Use caulking and other sealants throughout the home to close up those nooks and crannies pests love living in. Start on the outside sealing the foundation, then make your way into the crawlspaces. Take this time to leave a few traps and repellents, too.
And, the common sense things like not picking up furniture on the side of the road. Or, leaving your windows and doors open (without a screen) even during those cool days. Take care of the pests as soon as they show and you shouldn’t have an infestation.
If it becomes too much then get in touch with the pros. Don’t let those critters run loose!