Nearly all homeowners have had to deal with pests at one point or another. The best way to combat your pest problem is to learn as much as you can about the different methods of pest control. When you have the right information, you are better equipped to ward off any unwanted pests.
Start with the source. You have to cut off the pests food source to stop them from coming into your home. One reason you may have a problem is because your house provides food, water or shelter for a pest. Find and eliminate factors, such as food crumbs, leaks and unsealed entry points in the home.
Bedbugs are sneaky and can be hard to eliminate entirely. Before you exterminate them, be sure you're closing up all open holes. The insects will not be able to get in holes.
Plug holes that mice or other pests can enter with steel wool. The metal in this is too tough for the teeth of the rodents. If it is more than 1/2 an inch, it should be filled up. These rodents can come through small areas.
Is your home overrun with ants? There are many home remedies, but one effective one is mixing sugar with borax. Sugar attracts the ants, and the borax kills them. To make the mix, use a cup of each ingredient in a quart jar. Place holes in that lid, then sprinkle it along your foundation and baseboards.
Look around your house for standing water. Pests are very attracted to standing water. Do a thorough job of checking your pipes for leaks, and remember to empty the trays from beneath your house plants. Since pests need water in order to live, getting rid of excess water will make your home less desirable for them.
When you put bushes around your house, put them about 12 inches away from your home at minimum. Many types of insects call this brush home. If you place the brush too close to your windows or other home entry points, you'll risk those bugs visiting you inside.
If you are having problems with flying insects in your home, then you need to fix your home's screens. Screens on your doors and windows can not only prevent flying insects from coming in your home, they can also help prevent other crawling insects from coming in, too. It's important to repair any holes in screens around your home.
If you have rats and mice and wish to plant new trees, don't plant them very close to the building. Rodents can actually climb the trees and gain access to the home through the roof. A good rule is to keep trees about 15 feet or more away from your house.
Check every foot of your home for pests, as no area is immune. If any part of your house is underground, subterranean termites may eat some of your home that you aren't in that often. Be sure to have crawl spaces and basements inspected.
As soon as you notice fallen trees in your yard, eliminate them. Cut the trunk and the branches for firewood. If you do not have a use for it, you can sell it or give it to someone. Do not neglect to get rid of the stump, as well. Stumps can easily attract termites to your home.
Bed bugs like to hide in hard-to-find spaces, which makes them hard to eliminate. Before you start your extermination, take care to plug up and holes. By doing this, you will prevent them being able to escape a timely death.
As was stated in the opening paragraph of this article, just about every homeowner will be forced to deal with pest control issues at some point in time. To make sure you don't have pests, apply the tips in this article to your life. Take action today!