After you have a pest infestation, it can be tough to eliminate it. You may spend lots of money and effort to address the issues. Use the tips in the article below to stop the pest problem in your home before it goes too far.
If you have been the victim of a recent bedbug infestation and have taken steps to eradicate them, be vigilant. Bedbugs are able to get as long as a year without food. Because of this, you should seal off any and all access points in your home. The bugs won't have anywhere to hide when their sanctuary is sealed off.
Seal off any cracks or crevices pests can use as an entryway into your home. These can be an open door for pests that are looking for a way into your home. By sealing off such cracks, you prevent pests from getting into your home.
Plug holes that pests, like mice, can enter using steel wool. The steel wool makes it nearly impossible for rodents to chew through. All openings greater than a 1/2 inch must be stuffed. Mice and rats can squeeze through some tiny openings.
Mint Leaves
If you are battling mice in or around your home, mint can help. Mint should be planted around your home's perimeter. These plants will repel mice. When you sprinkle mint leaves in various areas of your home, it will keep mice away. This will repel mice in most cases, but always remember to sprinkle fresh mint leaves.
If you participate in recycling, be sure to rinse all recyclable items carefully. Soda cans contain a great deal of sugar, which pests love, so make sure these are especially well rinsed. Rinse out any remaining soda before storing the cans.
Do you have recurring fruit flies? The problem might be your drain. Make sure that you wrap your drain to the best of your ability with plastic. If the flies do appear, pour boiling water down the drain and scrub it clean. This will help keep the flies from breeding in there.
Having exterior lights on your home can be great for entertaining or for preventing burglars from breaking in, but they can also attract pests. Bugs and pests do not particularly care for the colors orange, pink and yellow, so using these colored bulbs can help deter certain pests.
Is your home invaded by rodents? Always look at your home's exterior to find small cracks and openings. Try putting some steel wool in the holes. Mustard oil may also work as a repellent too.
Flying Insects
Use a spray for outdoor perimeters to make insects avoid entering your house. Spray the foundation and all other outside areas near the home. When spraying, look for small cracks where pests can come in. Make sure you use caulk around these places.
Use hairspray to kill flying insects. Hairspray is toxic to flying insects. The hairspray will stick to them before they can get to water or food. This is a great option if you happen to have a bee fly in your home and do not want to get too close.
The only way to keep pests from your food is to keep them sealed off. Plastic and glass containers are the best way to go as long as they have a tight fitting lid. Do not store your food items in cardboard boxes because pests can easily enter into these.
As stated above, it is much easier to get pests in your home than it is to make them go away. Hopefully, you've learned what you need to know about pest control. If your issue with pests is out of control, you may need the assistance of an exterminator.
Always keep food properly sealed. Pests always come when they smell food, so don't leave things lying around to create an attractive scent. Take your trash out regularly to avoid attracting pests. Pests are attracted to garbage as well.