Pests can be attracted to your home for a number of reasons. Some of these magnets for household pests can be easily spotted, while others may fly under your pest-control radar.
There are numerous reasons why you need to deploy regular pest control methods. Firstly, pests pose health threats for you and your family. According to Joshua’s Pest Control, pests such as mice and mosquitoes carry life-threatening diseases that can wreak havoc on your vital organs. Before your eyes, a pest infestation can spiral from inconvenient to lethal.
Secondly, pests have the power to physically damage your property. If wood-faring bugs such as termites and ants gain access to your home, they can target wood fixtures and erode away pivotal support structures, leaving your home to potentially crumble. These destructive pests hide within the walls, meaning they can inflict damage before you ever notice physical signs of wear-and-tear. With this in mind, the sanctity of your home depends on a proactive approach to pest control.
Bugs such as carpet beetles are attracted to organic fibers. Therefore, they’ll munch on your belongings. In most cases, eradicating pests is also a way of ensuring food safety. Some of these pests will sneak into your pantry and make your meal out of your snacks.
Another major incentive for pest control is the stress-free life that accompanies a pest-free home. Remember, a pest-free home is always a happy home. Even the sign of tiny bugs scurrying around your living space can cause a headache among many homeowners. What are some of the DIY pest control solutions? Here are six tips for you to employ to keep your home bug-free:
Seal your house
It’s one of the most effective techniques for preventing pest infestations in your home. Usually, pests gain access to a house through unsealed doors, torn screens, and cracks in the walls or the foundation. Once they have entered, they will inhabit a section of your property and reproduce. It can be extremely difficult to get rid of pests after an infestation has reached a certain severity.
You can take several measures to avoid pests infiltrating your home. When you eliminate all the entry points, pests can’t gain entry. Sealing the cracks and chips in your home is a good way to prevent indoor infestation. It also helps to remove habitats for pests on the exterior part of your home. You can find these potential habitats and entry points on your roof or below ground in your foundation.
Empty the trash
Don’t just empty your trash when it starts overflowing. Do it regularly. If you start noticing wandering pests in your home, you may want to check your trash bin. An infestation can be a major problem if you don’t maintain a strict practice of routinely taking out the trash.
Despite misconceptions, just because your trash is located inside your home doesn’t necessarily mean pests won’t be able to access rotting food scraps or scattered crumbs. Ensure you take out the trash daily or after throwing away a significant amount of leftovers. Removing the garbage from your kitchen space reduces the chances of pest infestations, significantly. Note that yard waste can also attract pests onto your property.
Use vinegar and water
White and apple cider vinegar are effective when it comes to warding off pests. The latter is the ideal option for people who may want to save some money on their DIY pest control solutions. You can make vinegar spray by combining three parts water with one part vinegar.
Put the solution inside a bottle and swirl to mix the ingredients thoroughly. The spray can be used to control pests such as ants, slugs, and moths. Spray the mixture on surfaces where you have spotted these aforementioned species of bugs.
Keep your house clean
This is one of the simplest pest-control strategies you can depend on to prevent pest infestations in your home. Usually, bugs will enter your property in search of food and shelter. Crumbs on your kitchen counter or floor will attract ants and cockroaches, much like cluttered spaces serve as hiding spots for disease-carrying pests.
You can avoid this through thorough routine cleaning rituals. First, sweep and vacuum daily. Wipe off the countertops, dust various household surfaces, scrape off crumbs, and scrub residue in ovens and microwaves. Ants are a major problem in many American homes. Eliminate food and water sources in your house to prevent an ant infestation. Regular cleaning will also reduce the number of hiding spots for spiders.
Use citrus peels
Citrus fruits contain compounds that have been found to be effective in pest control. All of their pest-fighting properties are safe-to-use, as they’re naturally sourced from fruits grown in your backyard. You can use citrus peels to repel pests such as ants and fleas.
These ingredients are commonly used in the manufacture of various medications and insecticides. Oil extracted from citrus peels contains limonene, which is a natural repellent.
For DIY use, place the peels around the garden to keep away pests. You can even concoct inspect spray using the peels by dipping one orange in 2 cups of boiling water. After completion, spray the solution on the affected areas.
Use cucumbers
Raw, bitter cucumbers are a popular DIY pest control solution option in many homes. Although this pest-control method isn’t ideal for major infestations, it can be used for minor pest problems. You can combine it with other green pest control techniques for maximum effect.
If you intend to use cucumbers to eradicate ants, place some slices at all entry points in your house. Place a few of them under the bed and in cabinets to keep moths away. The slices will start decomposing after some time. Therefore, ensure you replace them regularly to avoid the smell of rotting vegetables.
Final thoughts
Your pest infestation can range from mild to severe. Exercise good judgment when deciding between DIY or professional pest solutions. Otherwise, you may be facing thousands of dollars in damages.