Pest Prevention

It is a common cliche that "the best offense is a good defense." This is especially true when it comes to pest control. It is easy to prevent, but as many of us know once they are there, they become reluctant to leave. Hopefully this article can help prevent any uninvited guests.

To ensure entry to your home is not as easy as walking in the front door, start there. If light can be seen through a shut door to the outside, insects can get in. Be sure to weather strip and or caulk these gaps. Also check caulk and grout seals on windows and in bathrooms around pipes, toilets, appliances and any wires that come through the walls. This will also help with your heating and air conditioning bills as well as prevent damage to your home from moisture. Moisture not only can ruin wood and cause mold, it also attracts pests. Be sure to remove or refill any free standing water including slow moving drains and house plants.

Unfortunately, there are many more ways that pests can enter your home. It is important to check screens on your windows to make sure that there are no tears and that they are securely in place. If you have a chimney on your house, make sure there is a working chimney cap attached. Check any grocery bags or boxes that you may be bringing into the house as well as plants and garbage containers. Nothing is worse than discovering you gave the insects a free ride right into your kitchen.

Another preventative method is as easy as keeping food in tightly sealed containers. If insects or rodents cannot find food, they will not linger. Baking products such as sugar and flour as well as cereals and other boxed or bagged products should be safeguarded in this way. Not only will it discourage pests, it will help to keep food fresh. If you have a dog or a cat, be sure to put their food and water up at night.

And finally, know that your mother was right in telling you to clean your room. Clutter and unsanitized surfaces help to house and feed insects, making them that much more comfortable to rapidly reproduce.