For most people seeing a bug or two in their home sends them darting for a can of bug spray. Fortunately, we have a few proactive tips that’ll help minimize insects and other pests from venturing into your home.
Seal the Gaps
Bugs are experts at getting through small cracks and crevices if given the chance. Taking a quick walk around your home can help identify potential entrance points for these unwanted guests. Most gaps can be filled with an expanding foam or waterproof sealant caulk. Use concrete compound to plug any potential entryways into your home’s basement walls or foundation. Now is also a good time to check the weather seals around windows and exterior doors.
Spray the Foundation
Your home’s foundation is the first line of defense against pests. Luckily many companies make convenient sprays for exterior application and most DIYers can achieve the same result as a professional pest control company with the correct amount of solution applied 2-3 per year around the exterior of the home. All-natural options are also available for foundation applications though we feel this is not always necessary as the application process is done so infrequently in an outdoor, open-air setting.
Clear the Debris
Downed tree branches, mulch, and shrubbery are perfect areas for pests to congregate and take shelter. Rock or landscape stone tend to be a less attractive ground-covering to pests than as opposed to more organic material such as pine straw or mulch. Clean up branches and leaves around your home’s foundation and keep mulch from piling up against the foundation as well, we recommend a 8-12-inch buffer between ground cover and the base of your home’s foundation to prevent pest infestation due to moisture.
Remove Standing Water and Fix Leaks
Bugs and other pests enjoy hanging out around water. Any water sources close to the home is almost guaranteed to attract pests. Termites and carpenter ants are attracted to moist wood and this can cause major issues later down the road. Standing water and other exterior leaks should be addressed as soon as possible. Standing water should be taken care of as this can be a breeding ground for a number of different insects. Keeping gutters around your home clean and clear is great way to keep water from backing up and creating drainage issues around your home.
Remove Food Supply
The cleaner your home, the less attraction it will be for pests. Keep floors swept and vacuumed. Debris and gunk along baseboards can accumulate especially in the kitchen and under cabinets. This makes for a perfect breeding spots for ants, small flies, and roaches. Make sure boxes of food are closed and sealed before storing away. Frequent garbage changes and cleaning the garbage disposal are also great ways to minimize food sources that rodents and insects are looking for.
Pest Spray Prevention
Most of use have probably purchased a can of bug spray at least once in our lives. The truth is that these types of “kill on contact” sprays are instant solutions to an underlying problem. Prevention or repellant sprays can help lower the number of pests coming into your home by creating a barrier that discourages them from entering in the first place. While many of these repellant sprays can contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets and small children, we have found great success with all-natural sprays that are child and pet safe.
Rodents and many insects, including spiders, are driven away by the strong scents of garlic, cinnamon, and peppermint. These essential oils are the main ingredients in many all-natural sprays.
Repellant sprays can also be paired with boric acid, a low-toxicity solution that will help to eliminate those pests that have still ventured past any repellant spray. This combo is extremely effective among pest control professionals when application is needed in an interior or confined space because of its low toxicity to humans and pets.
There you have it: 6 simple tips to deter pests from entering your home. Do you have your own pest control home remedy’s you’d like to share? Have you had the same success with these tips? We’d love to hear from you! Connect with us on social and let us know.
