There are not only billions of bugs in the world, but it’s estimated that there are as many as one billion bugs per person in the world. You heard that right. There are a lot of bugs. As a result, many families find themselves constantly battling to keep pests out of their homes.
Try as they might, some people just can’t seem to keep their homes pest-free. It can be frustrating to find critters in your cupboards and buzzing in your ears. The good news is that it’s possible to give your unwanted houseguests the boot. By knowing the right tips, you can keep pests outside where they belong. Here are the best tips for doing so.
Find Their Hangouts
The first step to fighting pests is stopping them before they’ve even begun. Go outside your home and scope around where you see bugs. If you have a woodpile, for example, chances are that there are all sorts of creatures from termites to spiders in there.
The same goes for things like birdbaths and swimming pools. Stagnant water attracts all sorts of bugs, in particular, mosquitos. You’re better off keeping bug-attracting sites far away from your windows and doors.
If you have trees next to your windows, consider cutting them back, so they don’t touch the side of your house. Shortening the distance between where the bugs hang out and your home is a great first step to stopping issues before they even start.
Seal Your Windows and Doors
Pests are clever at getting into the smallest of cracks and crevices. No matter how small of a crack you think it may be, there’s a bug that can squeeze through. The best way to ensure they don’t get in is to properly seal all of your entries. From your pipes to your windows, make sure that you seal off any possible crack that could be an entryway.
You can seal off holes with caulk or rubber foam. If you’re trying to keep out rodents, you may want to consider steel wool, which is especially effective.
Keep Things Clean
Bugs are drawn towards crumbs and food debris. After all, they’ve got to eat too, right? If you leave behind pieces of food, then you’re asking for trouble. Try to get into the habit of always sweeping up crumbs and wiping down surfaces.
Cockroaches, in particular, love to sneak around kitchens that are unclean. In addition to wiping down surfaces and clearing debris, it’s best to avoid clutter in places where you eat. The more places that pests have to build homes for themselves near a food source, the more likely that they are to do so.
