Austin Apartments News

No homeowner feels comfortable in a home that is invaded by pests. Pests of all sorts and sizes – from insects to rodents – can inadvertently make their way into a house and cause an infestation. Some pests find their way indoors mistakenly, while others are intentionally seeking shelter and food sources. Pest control can be costly and sometimes invasive, if a problem presents. While some infestations occur despite a homeowner’s best efforts, there are several things you can do to deter pests.

The number one thing you can do to deter common pests from your home is to eliminate what attracts them in the first place. Food is the primary reason any pest will invade a home. Ants, cockroaches, and various other insects, as well as mice are all gluttons for an easy meal. Avoid leaving food sources in easy reach on your counters, in your sink, or exposed in your trash cans. If you do leave food out, such as leftover cake, fruit, or bread, be sure to cover it or seal it in an airtight container. Use a single trash can with a lid for disposing of food and promptly remove full bags to their proper containers. Don’t leave trash sitting on porches or balconies.

Be sure to routinely clean areas where food is prepared and served as well. Even the smallest of crumbs left on the floor can pique a pest’s interest and serve as a food source. Avoid leaving dishes that haven’t been rinsed in the sink and make sure to properly seal foods that are stored in cupboards. Reducing the availability and access to food sources is the best deterrent.

Even with food sources eliminated, there are other conditions that some pests find favorable. Dark, damp spaces are ideal breeding grounds for some insects. Make sure to keep wet towels and other linens off the floor and keep areas underneath sinks clean and dry. Always store items in attics or basements in airtight containers, as even paper or cardboard can act as a food or nesting source for some pests.

To avoid parasitic insects such as fleas or ticks, practice good hygiene. When you’ve been outside, especially if you’ve walked through high grass or weedy areas, disturbed an area by mowing or hiking, or simply walked around the block, wipe the bottoms of your shoes on a mat and remove them before entering the house. Use a rag to wipe off your ankles and lower legs to brush off any small insects that may have attached themselves. If you have pets, brush and inspect them frequently for fleas and ticks.

Some parasitic insects attach themselves to a variety of objects. Always wash clothes when you bring them home, inspect any linen or fabric item you bring in that wasn’t packaged, and be sure to wash or clean all clothing and baggage after returning from a trip. These small measures can prevent inadvertently introducing a hitchhiking pest into your home.

Another way to deter pests is to make entrance into the home more difficult. Seal up any cracks, crevices, or holes that provide an entrance from the outside. Cracks around windows, doors, and other areas of the home that are not sealed make ideal entrances for a variety of pests. Maintain these areas by sealing with sealant or steel wool and expanding foam, and you will reduce the chances of any unwanted guest gaining entrance.

Use preventative pest control products on a regular basis. Treating the foundation around your home and around doors, in basements, crawlspaces, and attics with pest control products is a good deterrent. Even if you don’t relish the idea of using pesticides, there are a variety of earth-friendly options that work as well. Check with a pest control service for available products.

Since pests come from the outside in, giving attention to the outdoors is warranted. Don’t let high grasses or weeds grow up around the home, and keep trash and brush to a minimum. Avoid leaving standing water in containers or other areas around your home as well. If you have water features with no aquatic life, consider chlorinating the water.

Most pests would prefer not to cohabitate with humans but some find it easy. By taking simple measures to deter a pest invasion, you will likely never experience an infestation of any type. However, sometimes despite our best efforts, an infestation occurs. You can try treating the problem yourself but if the problem is big enough, you will need to call in a professional exterminator or pest control specialist. The sooner you catch a problem and treat it, the easier it will be to rid your home of the problem.

For over 80 years Standard Pest.com has been setting higher standards in pest management. Our mission is to provide the best exterminators new york city has to offer! In so doing, we aim to improve the quality of life of our clients, community, environment and employees.