How to Keep Pests out of Your Home

Are you sharing your home with unwanted pests? Homeowners are encouraged to incorporate pest-proofing as an integral part of house cleaning. A single cockroach can cause you to pull out a can of bug spray. Instead of having to go on the defense against insects and rodents, you should take the offense. Don’t let pests take over your home by using simple and effective methods that come in handy.

Just like each species, insects need food, shelter, and water to survive. Eliminating their food supply and getting rid of their favorite hiding spot is a step in the right direction. The most effective way to prevent infestation is to keep bugs out entirely. To achieve this feat, you need to seal up all cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior. Once you tighten up the entry points, you will improve your chances of staying bug-free. Also, install traps throughout your home and invest in different pesticides to eliminate the issue of pests.

Seal doors

A locked door keeps intruders out, and a properly sealed door will keep pests out. You have to scrutinize your entrance ways. Most homeowners are surprised by the number of unsealed gaps they see, making them accessible entrances for bugs. To keep pests away, you need to install an aluminum or sturdy steel threshold under the door. For full protection, combine this with a door sweep. A sweep can be found in most hardware stores and helps to cover gaps between a threshold and the bottom of the door.

Homeowners can also add door-seal kits or weather stripping to the perimeter of the frame to keep insects out. You can use a clear caulk and seal the joints where the door frame meets the wall. In case you have forgetful children, you can install a door closer. You can easily find affordable door closers at your local store. The hydraulic device will automatically close and latch your door after opening. You can adjust it to control closing speed and power.

Adding screens

Most homeowners rely heavily on natural ventilation from doors and windows to bring in fresh air. Opening doors and windows is tempting, especially during the summer. However, this is the worst time of the year as fleas, mosquitoes, and other pests will invade your home. To successfully enjoy the feeling of fresh air without being troubled by insects, install screens. You can choose a 20mm mesh screen and keep out most household pests from invading your home.

Screen installation is simple and requires the necessary tools to complete. Bugs can also invade your home through holes or tears in your existing screens. A screen that is loose on one side can be adjusted by using staples for wood frames and a spinning tool. This will help appropriately reattach the screen to the frame.

Have a well-maintained yard

Having a well-maintained yard can have a significant impact on bug infestation. Mosquitoes will require a water supply to breed. Eliminating any pooled water in your yard will go a long way in ensuring the mosquito population reduces. To eliminate pooling, you need to look for areas where water tends to collect. Make sure to aerate your lawn and help reduce the issue since it naturally absorbs water into the soil.

Homeowners should maintain regular drainage channels, a good example being drains and gutters. Make sure the drains and sewers are free from debris, grass clippings, and leaves. For homes with pools, ensure you keep pools chlorinated and filtered. Make sure to keep these pools well maintained even when not in use. You can change the water in fountains once every two weeks. Remove any pile of leaves as they are a perfect hiding spot for insects.

Seal pipe penetrations

At one point in life, a homeowner must deal with utility installation. Did you install a new cable line? It is likely that installers ran the wires into your home through holes drilled in the exterior walls. A more conscientious installer will add caulk or sealants around the home’s interior. Without a doubt, there are pipe penetrations in your walls that are surrounded by significant gaps. This is an open invitation for insects to crawl to your home.

Wall penetrations are typically for air conditioning, gas, and water piping. Make sure to check the exterior part of your home for such openings. You can check at ground level or roof level to ensure no pests can gain access to your home. An excellent way to access this is by visually following cable and telephone lines from outside. You can fill smaller cracks or gaps using pipe caulk or sealants. Ask installers to add steel wool as a perfect layer to ward off insects that may bore through.

Don’t make a bug buffet

Make sure to get rid of bug’s favorite amenities, such as eliminating clutter and unprotected food. Without proper resources, bugs will move from your home to the next house. A cluttered home is considered a natural breeding ground for pests. Insects are known to reproduce in large numbers and can get impossible to get rid of. Keeping clutter at a minimum will create an end to bug infestation. Make sure you store food in airtight containers.

Homeowners should make their homes as inhospitable to bugs as possible. Once you put the snacks away, the bug party is over. For homeowners with pets, ensure pet bowls are kept clean at all times. Limit your food consumption to a single room and ensure you wipe away any crumbs. Washing dishes immediately after use will ensure your home is bug free. Put pet food away after every meal as they can be a tempting treat for ants and cockroaches.

Trash and litter

One man’s meat is another man’s poison; with bugs, one man’s trash is a bug’s treasure. Proper handling and storage are critical in ensuring bugs are kept at bay. Food trash should be kept in the kitchen and not in any wastebaskets. Waste should be kept in a can with a lid. Make sure to empty the trash each night. Bins should be cleaned and sanitized once a week. 

Resources: How stuff works, Considerable, Family handyman, The Spruce