How Your Home is Attractive to Pests
While pest control should be left to the professionals, the best way that you can reduce pests as a homeowner is to remove any enticements that might draw them inside. There are some elements that you might not have considered as a pest attractor and some that you’ve likely been well warned about in the past, but all of them can contribute to a growing pest problem within your home.
Dirty Dishes
We’ve all let the dishes pile up from time to time, but letting them sit and sit leads to a more serious problem than marring the aesthetics of your kitchen. When you leave dirty dishes to collect in the sink, you’re essentially providing a welcome meal of food residue for pests to feed on. Keeping the sink empty and clean will decrease the risk of pests coming to your home for the promise of an easy food source.
Easy Access to Food
The attraction of food is often the number one reason pests will choose your home to be theirs as well. Spills and crumbs are the biggest offenders, even if they’re relatively small. If a mess is left behind in your kitchen, clean it up immediately so pests don’t get to it first. You should also be mindful of how you store your food. Don’t leave food out in the open for extended periods (pet food included!) and store them in tight containers to ward off unwelcome visitors flocking to your leftovers.
Clutter
This may come as a surprise, but even if the clutter around your home doesn’t contain food, clutter is a huge attraction for pests. Rodents and spiders love living in dark, cool spaces, so if you have piles of paper, open boxes, or clothes lying around your home, they can become a haven for pests. If you have items you don’t need every day, try to store them in tightly sealed boxes or bags if possible, or throw them away entirely if you don’t need them at all. When clutter is kept at a minimum and the rest of your home is kept clean, there’s a much lower chance that pests will find a place to hide and take up residence.
Garbage
The smell of garbage may be repellant to humans, but for any nearby pests, the lure of your trash is a dinner bell. Even if the rest of your home is completely spotless, trash that’s been sitting too long or hasn’t been tightly sealed will surely attract pests. It’s tempting to put off taking out the trash for another day, getting into the habit of taking out the trash as often as you can will keep your garbage from becoming a beacon to insects and rodents alike. You should also consider cleaning the trash bin every few weeks to score away any leftover waste that could still appeal to pests.
Holes and Cracks
Holes and cracks along your home’s exterior are easy access points for pests to trickle inside. Cracks in the foundation, gaps under doors, rips in screens, and even seemingly insignificant holes in the walls can give both insects and rodents entrance to hide in the shelter of your walls and an easy road to food or water. Thoroughly inspect your interior and exterior walls for any holes or cracks that need to be sealed or patched to keep them out (for difficult repairs, make sure to hire an expert to avoid damage to your home).
Excess Moisture
Both insects and rodents are drawn to moisture. Obviously, we need water in our homes for everyday life, but excess moisture such as high interior humidity, leaks, drips, and standing water are very attractive for pests of all types. Leaks are especially concerning, as the water can seep into the walls or floors/ceilings and cause dampness throughout the entire house. Be sure to regularly inspect your pipes and faucets for leaks or drips, and if you find any take steps for maintenance immediately.
Saela provides both residential and commercial services including: Pests, Mosquitoes, Rodents, Fleas & Bed Bugs.
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