Pests can be a huge problem for any homeowner. They can also cause damage to your property or be dangerous for your health. If your home is infested with pests, it's essential to handle it quickly. Read the below article for some great tips on how to safely eliminate pests from your home.
Steel Wool
When you find holes that pests can get in through, stop it up with steel wool. Rodents such as mice and rats are known to be able to chew through almost anything, but steel wool will stop them dead in their tracks. All openings greater than a 1/2 inch must be stuffed. Animals can get through very small openings.
You can kill stinging insects around your home with hairspray. Hairspray is composed of chemicals that are very effective insect killers. Also, the smell of the chemicals will repel insects, as well.
Get rid of pests by going to the root of the problem. If pests have emerged, determine how they are getting food. Pests may be drawn to your house because water, food and shelter can be found there. Try to fill cracks, clean food sources and block entry to your house.
Be careful if you think you finally got rid of all your bedbugs. Bedbugs don't have to eat for a whole year. Do everything you can to seal any holes in your home's walls, ceilings and floors. This will prevent them from hiding anywhere.
Flying Insects
Start from where the starting line is. If you have a pest problem, eliminate their food source. You are likely providing food, shelter and water to the pests right now. Find and eliminate factors, such as food crumbs, leaks and unsealed entry points in the home.
Screens in your home should be repaired to keep out flying insects. Screens not only protect your home from flying insects, they also help keep crawling insects from infiltrating your home. Fix any holes you find and replace the screens if they are damaged.
Bedbugs are sneaky little creatures that are hard to kill. Close up open holes you may find prior to extermination. By doing this, you will prevent them being able to escape a timely death.
Is your home infested with ants? Mixing borax and sugar together will kill those ants dead. While they are attracted to the sugar, they will be killed by the borax. A quart jar containing a cup of sugar and a cup of borax will work. Punch holes in the top of the jar and sprinkle the mixture in areas where pests like to gather, such as baseboards and the home's foundation.
Keep pests out of your home by using a perimeter spray outside. In addition to the foundation, you should spray porches, patios, steps and around windows and doors. Look for cracks that pests can use as an entrance to your home. Seal such spots with caulking or other material.
If you want to plant new trees but you get mice often, place the trees far from your house. Rodents can easily find a way into your house by climbing these trees hanging over the roof. Aim for a distance of 15 feet or more from your residence.
Incorrectly or badly installed plumbing can be inviting to some pests, so always check your plumbing when you are having pest problems. Ensure that there are no clogs in your sinks and drains inside and outside your home. The organic matter that can build up in these is a delicious meal to both flies and cockroaches. After you have initially cleared your drains, do this on a monthly basis.
There are a lot of different ways you can get rid of pests. Keep the advice from this article in mind to help control pests. If you are overwhelmed by the prospect of dealing with your pest problem, call in some help from a friend or an exterminator. No matter what choice you pick, get rid of pests now!
If you think you have cleared up a bedbug infestation, think again. Over the course of a year, bedbugs can remain dormant. So be sure to close any holes in the floors and walls. They cannot hide there then.