Preventative Pest Control Steps to Take to Keep Your Home Critter and Insect-Free

If you have your own living space, chances are you do not wish to share it with insects, rodents, or other pests. Perform the following steps to ensure your home remains pest-free.

Keep On Top Of Household Cleaning

No one really wants to have to clean all the time, but it is an important step that aids in keeping living space comfortable and free of unwanted inhabitants. Insects and small animals will remain in spaces where they have an easy way to obtain food and water. If you remove these necessary items, they will either vacate an area or perish from lack of resources. Cleaning regularly removes crumbs and water droplets from your home, making it harder for pests to survive. Keep on top of routine tasks such as vacuuming, wiping down counters, and removing household trash.

Check On The Outside Of Your Home

The exterior of your home is the first barrier that pests need to invade. If they are unable to get past it, they will not be a problem inside. Check that your home's siding doesn't have any damaged portions or cracks present that animals or insects can use as an entryway to the inside. If you do find a spot in question, fill it in with caulk, stuff it with steel wool, or cover it with flashing until you are able to contact a siding contractor to make a replacement. Be sure your shingles are intact and check over all windows for broken glass. Add weatherstripping around panes of glass to provide a tight seal. 

Make Your Yard Unattractive To Pests

Your property holds many hiding spots for small animals like squirrels, chipmunks, mice, raccoons, opossums, and bats. Trimming your shrubbery, mowing your lawn, and cutting back tree limbs make it harder for these creatures to find nesting areas. Remove leaf piles, reposition wood piles far from your home, and cover any open water sources. Add a few deterrents such as motion-activated watering or lighting systems as well.

Remove Attractions So Pests Do Not Stick Around

Instead of turning on your exterior lights at night, consider using them only when you need to go outside. Light attracts all sorts of insects right near your doorways. If you do need to use lighting, opt for yellow bulbs as they do not cause insects to congregate in large numbers. If you have fruit or nuts collecting upon the ground from trees on your property, gather them for removal as soon as they are noticed. Avoid feeding your pets outdoors, or remove their dishes from the area upon meal completion.

To learn more about pest control strategies, contact a local preventative pest control service such as Command Pest Control.