Many Americans love animals, but even the most avid pet lovers most certainly abhor pests. Every homeowner and homesteader wants to ensure a pest-free homestead.
Critters, fleas, insects, and rodents are notable for plaguing homes, and are usually attracted by one thing; an untidy home – this is a major pull for pests. In a national survey conducted in American homes, mice accounted for 30% of rodent infestations, while 43% were spiders. So, to avoid them, these are the things to do to ensure a pest-free homestead.
Adopt routine pest control extermination
Finding a licensed professional to safeguard your home from pests is a must. In the United States, it is an essential feature in health and safety protocols. Because different pests require alternate ways of extermination, experts like pest control nj and many others can help you differentiate between the exact type of infestation you are dealing with in order to ensure a pest-free homestead.
For example, supposing your household is battling with Cimicosis (itching after bed bug bites), you need to find a bed bug exterminator quickly. Engaging a company such as Mike’s Pest Control provides you with safe extermination methods that do not put you or your pets in danger.
Find and seal possible entry points
Cracks, holes, tears, etc., are excellent entry points for pests in the home. They are notable doorways for these unwanted guests in any human living space. Perhaps, the most surprising of them all is how mice and rats can squeeze through the tiniest of holes to gain access to your home.
Have you ever wondered how they do this? Mice (and rats) have very flexible vertebrae hidden behind smooth silk-like fur. These elements given to them by mother nature make it possible to slide through the smallest crevices and keep them from having a pest-free homestead.
As a deterrent, it is crucial to take a walk around your home to spot all these possible entry points to ensure a pest-free homestead. For example, check your garage door to determine if it has close contact with the ground and side walls.
If your homestead is equipped with a chimney, it’s advisable to install a cap on it, to deter small animals from climbing through. It’ll also be an opportunity to check for roof damage that could become entry points for pests.
What about your doors, windows, and vents? It’s usually recommended that the bottom of wooden door frames is kept slightly raised above ground soil.
As a tip, ensure the floor is either tiled, plastered, or made with concrete material to avoid a termite infestation in situations where you can not cement such entryways, use steel wool, hardware cloth, or caulk material to provide a lasting solution. This is particularly useful for cable holes.
Cut off likely food sources
It is rational to focus on the kitchen as the home’s only central food source point. This is true, and your kitchen must be tidy at all times, but there are other parts of the home you may not have considered.
First of all, where do you keep your pet’s bowls? Where do they eat? On the porch, by the litter, or directly behind your kitchen door? Closing the ‘buffet table’ for pests around the home should be a deliberate effort to ensure a pest-free homestead.
Do you keep seeds and breadcrumbs in the open for birds around your home? You may not have given this much thought, but the leftovers (no matter how tiny they may be) become food sources for rodents and insects.
Therefore, starting with your kitchen, keep unrefrigerated foods in tightly sealed containers. Secondly, ensure your garbage can, or bin is covered and not loose at the hinges. Once you begin to cut off the likely food sources around the home, pests by nature will look elsewhere and away from your house.
Final thoughts on ensuring a pest-free homestead
Prevention is always crucial in any situation. Pests are carriers of many disease-causing organisms, and you will be doing yourself and your family a lot of good by taking appropriate steps. It is worth knowing that many pesticide applications are practical during the winter, the reason being that pests typically lie dormant during the cold season, and you are better off getting them when they are inactive.
By taking the above suggestions you will be well on your way to a pest-free homestead.