Keeping the home clean may seem easy but, it’s not if you have pets around, especially if you have long-haired cats. The bigger problem in maintaining the home though won’t be the hair that they shed, it’s quite easy to vacuum away than when you discover the presence of insects and unwanted critters lurking around. Luckily, cats can catch the little buggers when they come out of their hiding places, but what if it just goes out of control?
If you belong to that category of people with such problems and you live in Ohio, you probably have the number of the exterminator or pest control Dayton, Ohio, on speed dial. However, you don’t need to solely rely on professional services to keep out pests. There are things you can do to decrease the presence of pests in your home. Here are 3 of the top tips to do in preparing for next season’s pest control problems before they happen!
Tip 1: A clean kitchen alone won’t cut it!
Of course, insects and rodents are attracted to food, dirty dishes, and food stains. But, they aren’t the only attractions to the pests. Experts believe that moisture, too, plays an atrocious role in attracting all kinds of pests and bugs. Therefore, it is advisable for you to not leave moisture sources around the home. In order to ensure that the areas in your home don’t have moisture, you must ensure that the gutters are unclogged at all times. In addition to that, you should also make sure that the downspouts direct water a minimum of 4 to 5 feet away from the foundation of your home. And, if you have decorative pools and baths, they must be drained on a frequent basis.
Tip 2: Keeping rodents and other pests out!
Winter is coming and it is the time of year when rodents seek refuge in your homes. Like people, they prefer staying indoors where it is most comfortable. Therefore, even if you don’t have a rodent problem at the moment, it is in your best interest to set up exclusionary measures. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry. There are several things you can do to keep rodents out. You can install tight-fitting weather-strip on the bottom of your doors. In addition to that, you can ensure that your foundation and attic vents benefit from ¼ inch hardware cloth. It would also help if you place insect screening units over your windows, utility vents and other areas where small pests may creep in. If you have holes and cracks in your abode´s exterior, it is recommended for you to seal them up with caulk; however, for bigger holes, you need to first stuff steel wool or wire mesh before starting the sealing process. And, if you don’t have the time to do the aforementioned tasks, you can always seek professional help.
Tip 3: Catching flies
Flies are annoying all the year round. And, if you are like most people, you absolutely hate flies. Fortunately, catching flies can be quite simple. If flies keep pestering you, all you need to do is to get honey. Flies are completely enamored by sugary substances, so much so that they become imprisoned by it. Hence, you can easily create your own fly funnel trap. You will only need to place a small amount of honey into a cup. Then, you need to seal the cup with a paper funnel. The flies will be able to fly down into the cup but won´t be able to get out!
A few great tips here. We live near several fields and twice (in 15 years) we had a mouse find its way into our house. It really is a pain as they seem to leave their mark in every corner of the house in the shortest of times. So those pointers from you are great!
My husband is traveling for work next week – IE: I am going to hire a professional cleaner when he’s not here 😉 He always says “we can do it” but honestly, I don’t feel like we really get into those NOOKS and CRANNIES!
My sister and her husband own a pest control company, so we rely on them for major issues. We have another company that we have to use for termites. For seasonal spraying, my husband does it himself. I always worry about the chemicals in pest control sprays with the kids around.
Great post. I pay for pest control every year to make sure no little critters are lurking. I also use a natural spray a friend of ours recommend and it works great. With the kids and our cat I have to make sure they are safe from chemicals.
Gotta love cats and all their quirky behaviours. They are great to have around to keep critters out or catch them for us. Some houses do end up with infestations and have to resort to pest control, thank god for those guys. Flies can be troublesome during certain months depending where you are. We always get fruit flies and ants near our garbage bin so we’ve made sure to throw away all food in a sealed container.
I am not a fan of rodents! Not like many people are but it is a big deal to me to do anything I can to avoid having that problem. I clean all of the time and still worry. I need to use these tips to make sure we are safe.
Bugs are a huge problem in my area (in Pennsylvania). I live in a woodsy development, so things like ticks and fleas are a major concern. I have two dogs and three cats (one with fluffy long hair), and they definitely create a challenge. I think a lot of people believe that bugs only come to dirty homes, and that cleaning like crazy is the best way to avoid them. You could have a kitchen clean enough to eat off the counters and floors and still end up with bugs.
These are great tips. During the winter we find SO Many spiders in our house. it is not fun! I hate them! I will be sharing these tips with my husband.
Such great tips. We pay for a pest control service to come to our home every 3 months to prevent ever having bugs or rodents in the first place. I definitely think it’s worth the money. As you said, a clean house sometimes doesn’t cut it, it takes other preventatives.
OMG this is so helpful! I live alone so I need to manage all the pest by myself and I always try my best to stay clean and pest-free since I hate cockroaches the most! Haha. Thanks for sharing this! It really helps!
These are very helpful tips, thank you so much for sharing! I am definitely going to try the honey in a cup one, what a great idea!