Pest Control Basics Every Homeowner Should Know

Insects and rodents are a serious sanitary issues at home and in the workplace. Though it can be tough and expensive to handle pests, action is necessary. The following tips and techniques will help you control the pests.

Use steel wool to plug up holes that mice can use to enter your house. While rats and mice can chew through them, the thin metal strands are too tough to chew. You need to stuff all openings that are bigger than one half of an inch. It is possible for these animals to make their way through very tiny openings.

If you have a issue with spiders, such as the brown recluse, use some traps. These spiders are poisonous and enjoy hiding in places that aren't easy to get with chemicals. They look for food at night. You can catch them with traps strategically placed behind furnishings and along the walls.

Steel wool is a great way to deter mice and other critters. The metal in this is too tough for the teeth of the rodents. You need to stuff all openings that are bigger than one half of an inch. Remember that rodents can get through very tiny openings.

Always have a new home inspected by a pest specialist. There are ways to look around to see if you have an issue, but you need to be sure.

Spray a perimeter spray around your home to keep bugs out. Make sure to spray the foundation along with areas around windows and doors. As you spray, watch for cracks that can provide entry for pests. Use a filler such as caulk to seal the area.

There may be standing water hiding in your home, and you need to root it out. Pests are drawn to standing water. Fix leaky pipes and check the water trays under any houseplants. Pests need water, so cutting off their supply will make your home less inviting.

Begin where it started. You must get to the root of your pest issues. Pests are probably attracted to your home because there is a source of water, available food, and adequate shelter. Locate and get rid of leaks, food, and any way to get into your home.

If you have a water leak, fix it promptly. Pests love water. They can end up finding water in the most obscure places. Don't get in your own way when it comes to pest control. A little maintenance can go a long way in preventing pests.

Plant Trees

If your home is susceptible to mice and/or rats, never plant trees close to the house. Rodents can enter your home more easily if they can climb a tree and drop onto your roof. Therefore, you should plant trees a minimum of 15 feet away.

If you think you may have termites, but are not certain, call in the dogs. They beat humans at sniffing termites out. Human termite inspectors cannot verify that your entire home is safe from termites. In fact, these inspectors can only claim up to one-third is safe. Trained dogs can verify your entire home's safety. They smell for methane gas, which is a byproduct of the wood the termites are eating.

Pest repellents that are electronic prove very effective. If you plug these gadgets into a wall socket, they emit noise that rodents do not like. This quiet sound that irritates rodents is not harmful to pets or people. Rodents will leave the area because the noise is unpleasant, not because it is harmful.

Try to block out mosquitoes from coming into your living area. Drain places that are harboring stagnant water. Studies have shown that mosquitoes breed in very small areas of water, such as water left in discarded food cans.

Although having your home overrun by pests is very annoying, it can interfere with you and your family's health if the problem gets too out of hand. Thus, prompt action is required. The information you just read is what you need to get started on your search and destroy mission to eliminate the pests in your home.

Is your home overrun with ants? A simple way to rid yourself of them is to mix up some borax and sugar. The sweet sugar attracts ants and the borax then kills them. A cup of borax and a cup of sugar will do it. Poke holes in the top, and sprinkle it around baseboards and inside cabinets.