There’s perhaps nothing worse for a homeowner than experiencing an increasing number of pests in the home. When pests overtake your home, it can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair your foundation, pay for fumigation services, and replace any food or furniture damaged by pests. Fortunately, there are several steals you can take to protect your home from pests. Below are five tips to help keep your home safe during the summer and winter pest seasons.
Throw Away Old Food
Two of the most common pests in the United States, rodents and roaches, are attracted to food in the kitchen. In fact, According to Census, around 2.9 million Americans reported seeing both roaches and rodents in their homes in 2021 alone! This is a staggeringly high number that reminds homeowners to continue to clear away food and engage in regular kitchen cleaning to prevent pests. One of the best ways to get rid of old food and prevent pests from invading is to keep it in the fridge until it’s time to throw it away. Throwing away food the day of garbage pickup allows homeowners to keep food safe from rodents, and also keep their kitchen smelling fresh.
Inspect Indoor Plants
Many pests, such as mealy bugs, can unknowingly travel indoors thanks to indoor plants. When you buy an indoor plant, the best thing to do is inspect it leaf by leaf and spray it down with water and soap. This will help clear off the plant, provide it with hydration, and gently cleanse it to get rid of any pests. These pests can also quickly spread from indoor plant to indoor plant, killing them off. By washing and inspecting your plants, you’re keeping your home safe and also preventing the death of your plants.
Seal Up Any Cracks
Smaller pests such as ants can travel to and from the kitchen using cracks within the sinks, floorboards, and just about anywhere that leads outside. This also includes cracks and leaks from your home’s roof. Around 16% of homeowners said that had new roofing installed in 2020, according to HomeAdvisor. If you’re one of these homeowners, it’s best to seal up any cracks that remained after your roof was installed. This helps prevent pests and moisture from entering your home.
Repair and Seal Leaks on the Roof
Pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and earwigs love moist environments. Prevent these pests from entering your home by replacing any faulty shingles on your roof that is leaking. This includes asphalt shingles, which last the least amount of time compared to other materials. If your asphalt or composite roof materials are more than 20 years old, they might be responsible for leaks and pests in the home.
Hire Professional Contractors for All Work in the Home
Pests can also travel within wood and other materials. For instance, earwigs are known for sneaking into the home through firewood and furniture. If you’re planning on getting contracting work done, make sure your contractors are professional and know to clean off all materials and inspect them before coming into the home. Many homeowners might choose wood shake roofs, which last up to 30 years, or fiber cement shingles, which last around 25 years. Whichever material you choose, ask your contractors to inspect it for pests.
Protecting your home from pests is a simple and easy process. All it takes is a little bit of diligence and clean habits to protect your home from various pests that can wreak havoc.
