After purchasing your new home, what next? Of course, you may want to spruce it up so it looks good and reflects your taste. But while you make preparations to repaint your exterior, install new cabinets and lighting and add other fixtures, you may as well want to look out for pests.
Pests are rife in many homes in the United States. They cause millions worth of damage to homes and spread different types of diseases. To ensure that your new home isn’t a haven for all kinds of pests, you need to be proactive.
Here are some pest control tips to pest-proof your new home.
1. Clean the house always
Pests love dirty environments. They love to thrive in those piles of rubbish underneath your bed, the heap of dirty clothes on the extreme side of your room, and the filled-up thrash in the kitchen.
This clutter provides pests with nourishment and lots of places to hide and nest. Cleaning your home regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of a pest infestation. So, draw up a cleaning plan in your new home. If you have kids, set rules to ensure everyone contributes to the cleanliness of the home.
Clean your kitchen, the dirtiest part of the home, and take out the garbage regularly to prevent refuse buildup. Also, clean surfaces and wash kitchen plates after us.
2. Keep Food in Secure Containers
How do you store food in your pantry? What type of containers do you use? If you use containers without lids, you’ll have to switch to sealed alternatives. Storing your food with sealed containers will ensure that they aren’t contaminated and make your home less attractive to pests.
When selecting containers for your pantry, go for sealed jars including thick plastic containers designed to keep food fresh. We also advise using lidded garbage cans and bins to ensure that they aren’t easily accessible by insects. Whenever you dispose of your refuse, wash the bin and disinfect it with hot water and liquid disinfectant.
3. Maintain the Roof
In addition to their sensitive olfactory system, mice are pro climbers. With their prolific climbing skills, these pests can get onto your roof and infiltrate your home through the attic. And when they get there, the chances of them breeding and spreading to other parts of your home are high. To make sure that doesn’t happen, you need to seal gaps along the soffits or the fascia of the roof.
You can also cover roof vents with mesh for protection against pests like raccoons and squirrels. Ensuring that your roof is well maintained is important for pest control and the overall aesthetic of the home.
4. Use the Right Pest Control Products
If pests have turned your home into their playground, you’ll need to research the pests you are dealing with, read about pest control, and use the right product to eliminate the menace. Regardless of how tempting it may be, don’t resort to mixing pesticides.
You shouldn’t also use a mice pesticide for roaches. Do the leg work and gather all the information you need. Follow the instructions on whatever product you use. And always exercise caution when using the products so you don’t contaminate edibles.
5. Don’t Lean Anything up Against the Walls of your Home
Rats, mice, and other critters love to hide, and they are pretty good at it. When you lean things against the walls of your home, you give these pests a good means to hide. And if you aren’t careful, pests could enter your home through the woodpile or furniture leaning against your walls. To ensure that doesn’t happen, keep equipment, furniture, etc., a few feet away from home. Also, clean your yard during fall and ensure that your window wells are debris-free.
6. Block all Potential Entry Points
The rat lurking behind your curtain, or the roaches feasting on the bread crumbs in your kitchen didn’t teleport to your home. They gained entrance through certain inlets or entry points in your new home such as gaps, cracks, etc.
You’ll need to carry out a close inspection on your home and seal all openings with caulks. Here are some common entry points to watch out for:
- Wall vents
- Weep vents
- Door gaps
- Windows
- Utility lines
- Cracks In the foundation
If perhaps the cracks are too big for your expertise, you can consider calling in the professionals. The earlier you block the cracks, the better for you, your new home, and your family.
Conclusion
New homes aren’t exempted from pest infestation. While your new home may be free from pests, you need to adopt measures to ensure that things remain that way. Inspect your new home and block potential entry points. Practice good hygiene and act quickly if you see any sign of pest infestation.
Photo Credit: Vu Ahn
