5 Ways to Keep Bugs, Rodents, and Other Pests Away from Your Home

(Photo : Harpreet Singh via Unsplash)

As the weather begins to warm up for the spring season, many more people will start going outdoors to enjoy the pleasant weather. Unfortunately, humans aren't the only creatures that make an appearance outdoors after a long winter.

Bugs, rodents, and other pests also tend to reappear once the cold weather is gone- and this usually isn't a problem for most unless these creatures find their way into our homes. 

This can become problematic, especially since pests like cockroaches are notorious for being hard to kill. So here are five ways that you can prevent pests from entering your home this spring.

#1: Check for Cracks/Gaps and Seal Them

If the outside of your home has cracks and gaps, then small bugs can get in... and multiply. Every so often, check your home for cracks in the foundation, gaps in pipes and electrical wiring, loose siding, and missing roof shingles. Pests can also enter your home through the gaps in doors and the rips and tears in window screens as well.

To prevent pests from entering your home in this way, seal any cracks and gaps with coarse steel wool, copper mesh, mortar, or sheet metal. Screen mesh for windows should have at least 200 holes per square inch.

#2: Clean Your Home Regularly

Pests are always on the lookout for food and water sources, so regularly cleaning your home will reduce the likelihood of attracting pests. Also, regular deep cleaning of your home will allow you to spot any indoor cracks and gaps sooner.

Try to keep your clutter to a minimum and immediately clean up crumbs and spills. Your kitchen countertops should be wiped and kitchen and bathroom floors should be sweeped and mopped daily, while showers, tubs, and toilets should be cleaned weekly. Air filters should be changed monthly and upholstery should be deep cleaned annually. If you have pets, you'll want to clean more frequently.

#3: Dispose Trash Properly and Rinse Recyclables

While you're cleaning your home, make sure the places where you keep your trash are kept clean and tidy as well- especially trash kept outdoors. Exposed trash can not only attract flies, but also rodents and even stray cats and dogs. Make sure the lids on your trash cans fit securely and try not to overstuff them.

Recycling bins don't always have lids on them, so make sure to rinse your recyclables before placing them in the recycling bin. Things like plastic and glass bottles and containers that store things other than water have a greater chance of attracting pests if they aren't rinsed beforehand.

#4: Make Sure Your Drains are Clean

When you think about all of the food and drinks that go down our drains and how drains can become clogged, you'll then realize that this can become the perfect breeding ground for pests. A simple vinegar and baking soda mixture poured down the drain every few days is enough to keep your drains clear of food debris. This D.I.Y. mixture is also good to pour down other drains in your home, such as those in the bathroom, to ensure that your pipes remain unclogged.

#5: Place Food in Sealed Containers

It's important to make sure that all of your food is stored properly, in containers that can be sealed tightly. This is especially important for dry foods stored in cabinets and pantries, because they can attract what's known as the "pantry moth", which is a small brown/gray moth. Seeing one little moth may not bother you, but a female pantry moth can lay up to 400 eggs, easily creating an infestation.

So be sure to store your dry foods in resealable containers, especially if the original containers can't be tightly resealed, as in the case of cereal and pasta. You should also clean out your cabinets and pantry a few times a year to avoid keeping spoiled food.

Calling on professional services may also be necessary when trying to keep pests away. This is especially true for homes in rural areas where there are a lot of trees and shrubbery that need to be taken care of. In this case, it's also helpful to call on perimeter pest control services to prevent pests from entering the home.

Of course, all of these methods should be practiced regularly to keep your home free of pests. Pests may still occur- especially during certain times of the year- but regular pest control methods can lower your risk of having pests in your home, and will certainly avoid an infestation of any kind.