DIY Pest Control: Keep Your Home Bug-Free with These Strategies
Having pests in the house is no fun; they cause damage to your belongings, infest places, and (in the case of creepy-crawlies) can get everywhere. Bugs are an especially insidious example. They can thrive in the smallest nooks and crannies, causing damage to your home’s inner structure and multiplying if left undisturbed.
Calling a professional pest control services can help nip the problem in the bud, but conventional wisdom has it that prevention trumps a cure. Take steps to protect your home from an infestation and keep the pests out where they belong. There are some basic measures any homeowner can use to protect their house that can work wonders. Here are a few ideas you may want to try and give your home some added protection.
Keep the basement clean
Basements are cool, dark, out-of-the-way places, which are perfect conditions for bugs and other pests (especially spiders). Controlling the conditions is a great way to control pests in the basement. Use a dehumidifier to maintain 40 percent humidity levels and remove much of the moisture bugs need to survive comfortably. While you’re at it, be vigilant about keeping the basement clean. Pay particular attention to cobwebs and sweep them up whenever they appear.
Remove clutter
Clutter provides a good nesting ground for many pests. It’s a safe, dark place where they can live and breed in peace. When you place clutter (e.g. cardboard boxes) in dark storage spaces like the basement or attic, that gives bugs an ideal habitat to set up. Check your storage spaces from time to time to reduce any clutter where bugs can breed. Another thing you can do is avoid storing any paper bags under the kitchen sink.
Protect your home from moisture
Small pests like insects need a steady supply of water to live. That tendency makes them prone to living in moist places like under the sink or in the bathroom. One thing you can do to make your home a less appealing place for them is reducing moisture around the house. Rake any moisture-retaining soil and mulch away from the walls and low wood. Turn your mulch regularly to keep the dampness down even further. Remember to trim your bushes back as well; your yard plants can help attract insects and other pests too.
Plant some repellant herbs
There are several plants with repellant properties that can be a big help keeping bugs at bay. Plant these herbs in your garden repel any insects before they ever enter the house. Some examples of useful plants include rosemary, mint, and marigolds. Some of these plants can also grow in flowerpots, allowing you to take them indoors as an additional layer of protection for the house. As an added bonus, these plants also smell great and can help freshen up your home.
With a little work, you can make your home a little more secure against any multi-legged invaders. Use these tips to help protect the house from infestations. Ideally, you should always aim to keep them from getting into the house. With the help of these measures, that job can be made much easier. However, when in doubt, contact professional services, like Mr Pest Control bed bugs in Orillia, to deal with your problem.