As much as you’d like to keep creepy crawlies out of your home, one (or more) of those critters manages to find their way inside. What’s worse, they make their very own, comfortable little home within yours and feed off any scraps they can find. From ants and termites, to cockroaches and mice; pests come in all forms and sizes, yet, they can be equally destructive and some, even hazardous to your health. Yes, some pests, particularly rats, mice and mosquitoes, carry diseases which can be transmitted to humans via bite or consumption of food that has been contaminated by the pest. Therefore, a potential pest problem is something that every homeowner should not take lightly!
So, if you’re wondering how to keep pests away from your home, there are a couple of things you can do to achieve that. Below are Simply Maid’s top tips for maintaining a pest-free home.
Remove Stagnant Water
It’s a well-known fact that stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These disease-carrying pests spread through your home while the water sits there with the larvae of the mosquitoes continuing to multiply. To avoid this, it’s best to regularly remove any standing water from your home. This includes buckets and tubs that are filled with water and left untouched for days; puddles that may be collecting due to leaks; vases with flowers and plants; etc. If you’ve got an aquarium, outdoor water fountain, pond or pool, it’s important that they are cleaned and treated as necessary on a regular basis. This, of course, is also imperative for the health of any life contained in these confined areas.
Wipe Up Food Crumbs/Spills Immediately
It’s not always easy to prevent spills or crumbs on your floors or furniture. Even when you choose to eat over a plate, chances are that a few crumbs will end up where they shouldn’t be. In this case, it’s advised to do a quick inspection of your surroundings after you’ve eaten or had a beverage and ensure that there isn’t anything left to attract pests. Believe it or not, some pests (such as ants), can find their way to a couple of crumbs from the most unthinkable places! Moreover, it’s a real nuisance to get rid of ants so it’s best to do all in your power to avoid an infestation of them! This can be achieved by cleaning up food spills and crumbs immediately using the right cleaners to ensure that there is no trace or odour of food left on the surface.
Don’t Leave Food Out Overnight
Pests do their best (or worst) work at night! Therefore, leaving food out overnight can attract little critters which are sure to make a swift return in search of more food. Similarly, leaving edibles uncovered (such as fruit and vegetables) is also not advised. Especially if you live close to a forest or conservation area, all edibles should be stored in containers or spaces that are away from windows or entries. So, before you go to bed, do a quick inspection around your kitchen and dining area to ensure that there isn’t any food lying around to attract pests.
Clean Your House Regularly
Although it’s rather obvious, it has to be mentioned; cleaning your house regularly is absolutely necessary if you want to keep pests away from your home. A dirty house attracts all kinds of creepy crawlies such as spiders, cockroaches and bugs which don’t always move around in plain sight. Some of these pests can be found underneath beds, behind furniture, around kitchen cabinets and other hidden spaces. Therefore, regular cleaning should be done in a thorough manner to ensure that your house is, in fact, ‘clean’ and pest-free! This is particularly important in rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, basements and attics.
Take Out the Garbage on Time
Allowing your garbage to pile up is just asking for trouble! Not only is this a health hazard for household members, but it is also the perfect invitation for all kinds of pests. Unfortunately, some homeowners don’t realise this and refrain from taking out their garbage on time or on a daily basis because it isn’t ‘full’. In these cases, things go south because even the smallest amount of garbage can attract pests. Therefore, it is critically important to remove garbage from your home every day (preferably by the end of the night).
When it comes to pests, you’re better off keeping them away rather than worrying about getting them out! After all, prevention is better than cure, right?
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