Pests are no fun to deal with, and most homeowners would rather just avoid them altogether. Despite your best efforts, preventing a pest infestation can be challenging since pests can enter your home even if you keep it clean. This is especially true when your pest problem becomes so severe that you need professional pest control services. This article discusses how to deal with an infestation before it occurs.
Infestations: Why Are They So Bad?
Pests are not only annoying but also damaging to your home. They can leave droppings, eggs and sometimes transmit diseases. They also cause a lot of damage to your home and make it harder for you to maintain a healthy living environment. Pests such as rats, roaches, mice, and ants can enter homes through holes in the walls or cracks in the windows. If they get into the food you store in your pantry or fridge; they might also bring destructive bacteria like Salmonella and E-coli, which can be fatal. Some of the more common infections and the damage they can cause include:
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs can cause various issues that may not cause any symptoms until they have spread through an entire building. Although they are primarily an annoyance, they can become detrimental to your quality of life if left unchecked.
- Wasps: Wasps are a common pest in many countries. They are a nuisance to some people and can be dangerous if they get inside buildings or cars.
- Termites: The termite infestation can cause significant harm to your home if it’s not dealt with properly. They can cause damage to structures, vegetation, and wooden structures.
- Rats: They are serial disease carriers and can cause extensive damage to your home before you realize what’s happening. As a result, you should get rid of any infestation as soon as possible.
- Mosquitos: Mosquitoes pose a significant risk to public health as they carry diseases that can spread from one person to another.
Things You Can Do To Handle An Infestation
If you live in the city and have a pest infestation, it may be tempting to try and take care of the problem yourself. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, this could lead to more problems than it’s worth. Nonetheless, there are some things you can do.
Hire The Pros
Pest control is a profession that deals with the prevention and elimination of pests. In order to do this, they use a range of methods from chemical to manual. They are usually employed by building owners or businesses that have been affected by pests. Some pest control specialists work on behalf of both parties.
In the USA, pest control specialists are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which mandates a certain amount of training for spray technicians and workers who handle pesticides. In other countries like the UK, they must abide by similar but different standards. Pest Solutions, a professional pest control service operating out of the UK, holds British Pest Control Association membership which, according to that organization, provides ongoing training to their members to provide the most effective service possible. The benefits of hiring a pest control service include:
- They can tailor a plan to meet your needs
- They can work around your schedule
- You will not be able to find the technologies and chemicals they have access to
- With their expertise and knowledge, they can eliminate almost any infestation
- In most cases, they can guarantee a pest-free home
Maintain A Clean Kitchen
You can do some things to reduce the likelihood of pests and other critters finding their way inside your house, and one such method is to keep your kitchen clean. Pests flourish in an unclean, wet environment. Maintain your kitchen surfaces, shelves, stoves, and cabinets clean to avoid insect invasion. Wipe them down with a disinfectant agent regularly. Furthermore, food particles left out in the open can attract additional insects.
Remove Standing Water
Mosquito infestations are created by larvae breeding, and these larvae have been shown to breed in standing water. Mosquitoes typically reproduce in areas with standing water, such as puddles and wetlands. Furthermore, mosquito larvae are most commonly found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and even certain outdoor fountains. Mosquito eggs require water to grow into larvae or pupae, which eventually mature into adult mosquitoes. So, if you want to keep mosquitos away from your home, keep your yard dry and free of any standing water. If you have a pond near your house, you should add larvae-eating fish to maintain the water pure.
Secure Your Garbage And Keep It Sanitary
Garbage attracts a lot of pests in the wrong places, especially in a city with a high population. Garbage buildup can result in rat, rodent, and cockroach infestations. This problem is exacerbated when decaying food particles are found all over the place where your garbage is kept. Insects are attracted by decaying food, which is why you must take care of your food scraps before you throw them away. Keep an eye on what’s going on around you and take care when disposing of your garbage, so it doesn’t attract insects along with other unwanted visitors. Furthermore, you should ensure that the area where you keep your trash is covered and kept clean.
Install Nets On Your House’s Openings
The net is designed to keep out pests while still letting fresh air and light in. It’s a simple but effective tool to reduce the chances of a pest infestation. Also, if any windows are damaged, fix them right away to keep insects out. Also, make sure all of the house’s doors are in good working order and make any necessary repairs. Insects will find almost any way to enter your home, so you will be reducing the chances of a severe outbreak by denying them the opportunity.
Don’t panic if you have a pest infestation; you can follow these tips to get rid of your pests and enjoy your home once again. In general, the best way to deal with a pest infestation is to avoid one in the first place. When an infestation is unavoidable, you might consider using a professional service that utilizes their knowledge and equipment to eliminate the pests.