Animals live with people in almost every society in the world. Most of the time, animals can help people live their lives. For example, service dogs can help people with disabilities. Service dogs are also used by law enforcement and in the military.
Other times, animals can make people’s lives more enjoyable. For example, people often keep pets for companionship. Pets can provide emotional support and help reduce stress. Pets can also help people meet other animal lovers and make new friends.
However, there are some cases when animals can bring misery and pestilence to a given population. These animals are commonly known as pests and are problematic to every home.
What are Pests?
Pests are animals people believe to be harmful to their health, the environment, or the economy. Pests can spread diseases, damage crops, and bite or sting humans and other animals. Some pests are also considered nuisances because they make noise, damage property, or smell bad.
The most common pests in the United States include:
- Cockroaches
- Bedbugs
- Rats and mice
- Termites
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks
- Fleas
- Ants
- Flies
These pests can carry diseases like Salmonella and E. coli. They can also cause asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. In some cases, pests can even transmit deadly diseases like the plague.
There are many ways to remove pests from your home. Here are some of them.
Keep your home clean
One of the best ways to keep pests out of your home is to keep it clean. Cockroaches, for example, are attracted to dirty kitchens. Both cockroaches and rats are also attracted to food and water. If they are accessible, they will likely build a nest inside your home.
A messy home can be a haven for pests. They can hide inside the mess and away from your sight. The most fundamental way to keep pests off your home is to ensure it’s clean. You can keep it clean by:
- Washing dishes after every meal
- Taking out the trash regularly
- Cleaning up spills immediately
- Sweeping and mopping floors frequently
- Dusting surfaces
- Vacuuming carpets and rugs regularly
If you have a pet, you should also clean up after them. This includes cleaning their food, water bowls, and litter box.
Seal cracks and holes
Another way to keep pests out of your home is to seal any cracks or holes in your walls, floors, and ceilings. These cracks and holes can be entry points for pests. Once they’re in, they can build a nest and reproduce.
One of the most forgotten entranceways is the roof. A hole in the roof can be an infiltration point for all sorts of pests like pigeons and rats. So inspect your roof regularly and repair any holes or cracks as soon as possible. If you want a sturdier roof, consider installing polycarbonate roofing on your house instead. Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is virtually indestructible. It can be also practically last forever with very little maintenance, so you never have to worry about pests entering through your roof again.
You should also check for cracks or holes in your walls, floors, and ceilings. If you find any, seal them with caulk or another sealant.
Once you’ve sealed them, pests won’t be able to enter your home.
Keep food sealed and in the fridge
Another way to keep pests out of your home is to keep food sealed and in the fridge. As mentioned before, pests are attracted to food. If they can smell it, they’re likely to come looking for it.
You should always seal your food in airtight containers. You should pack dry goods like rice and flour and wet goods like soup and leftovers. You should also put any food that doesn’t need to be refrigerated in the fridge. This includes fruits and vegetables, as well as baked goods.
If you have pets, you should keep their food sealed and in the fridge. Pets are also attracted to food, and their food can also attract pests.
Set traps
Another way to keep pests out of your home is to set traps for them. You can do this by baiting the trap with food or water. Once the pest is in the trap, they won’t be able to get out.
You can buy traps at your local hardware store or online. You can also make your trap using a jar, a piece of paper, and some tape. However, make sure to get check your traps every day. You don’t want the smell of a dead pest permeating your home because you forgot to check your traps.
There are also some humane traps you can buy that will allow you to release the pest back into the wild.
There are many ways to keep pests out of your home. However, the four methods we’ve listed are some of the most effective. By following these tips, you can ensure that your home is pest-free all year round.
