Tips for Do-It-Yourself Pest Control

Having to deal with pests is a challenge that many homeowners face. Pests such as ants, fleas, cockroaches, rodents, and mosquitoes may penetrate your house regardless of how clean it is. 

Insects and other pests often find shelter in the same places as we do. They may be spotted or, at times, go unnoticed, infiltrating houses with all their might. The pests are prevalent, but they are neither safe or sanitary. The pests are toxic and damaging; they may also spread illnesses and must be eradicated by a skilled exterminator. However, you may apply certain home cures for pest control instead of hiring a pest control company. 

DIY pest control is on the rise as homeowners realize the financial and time benefits of taking on the task themselves. You’ll find both chemical and natural solutions among these do-it-yourself approaches to pest control.

When It Comes to Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, Products Aren’t Everything

Although there are a variety of pest control treatments and techniques available, often the most effective approach to keep pests away is through basic fixes and preventive measures. Because measures such as sealing all possible entry points for pests, storing food correctly, and keeping your home and its surroundings clean may go a long way toward preventing pests from entering your home.

Tips for Do-It-Yourself Pest Control

Regardless of the approach you choose, prevention is always the most effective method to reduce home pests. The following is a list of some efficient do-it-yourself pest control tips:

1. Maintain Cleanliness

a man cleaning

This is fairly self-explanatory, but a clean home is far less inviting and accommodating to pests. Dishes should be washed every day, and any food leftovers should be cleaned out of the sink. After each usage, drain the dirty dish water. Wipe off kitchen countertops and surfaces on a daily basis. Use containers with lids to keep perishables fresh and safe. Start doing maintenance tasks like cleaning, mopping, and vacuuming every day. Make sure your trash cans have secure lids and that you empty them often. Keep cutting the grass and get rid of the weeds. Keep bushes and trees cut back so that they don’t touch the house. Keep your drainage systems in good working order and remove any standing water and be sure to consider pest control options.

2. Make Sure Your Food Is Stored Safely

Indoor bugs are attracted to food, so pay particular attention to your kitchen and dining room. Pests can easily chew through cardboard, so pour dry foods out of their paper or cardboard containers and into plastic or glass containers. Food attracts all insects and cockroaches, so don’t keep it out on the counter or dining table for long periods of time. It may be tempting to tuck paper bags beneath the kitchen counter, but cockroaches may opt to reside in your paper bag cache. It’s still a good idea to store them in an airtight container.

3. Eliminate Stagnant Water

Mosquitoes and other pests thrive in standing water. If you want to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria, you should clean the area surrounding your home and get the drains outside your home cleaned. Keep an eye out for any sources of water that you can get rid of. Under the sinks and in the basement should be inspected for any leaks or drips. Observe outdoor items, such as children’s toys and patio furniture, that gather rainwater. Mosquitoes may find this to be an ideal environment for reproduction. Moist wood can be tunneled through by termites, carpenter ants, and rodents. You should clean your gutters on a regular basis to ensure that water is channeled away from your house. This will keep the outside and foundation of your house dry.

4. Sealing Your Home’s Entry Points

Pests will not be able to enter your house unless they can discover a way in. Some pests can get into your house through the smallest cracks. Look for any possible entry points on the exterior of your house and seal them. Check the foundation, door frames, windows, utility pipes, wires, and cables, as well as the roof. Fix any windows or screens that are broken. Pipes and vents should be free of any holes, gaps, or cracks.

5. Having Enough Ventilation Is Important

Basements, attics, and crawl spaces may all benefit from the use of humidifiers in order to maintain a dry environment. Avoid having a pest population explosion by keeping your house properly aired and dry; pests thrive in humid environments. How many of these insects thrive in your home’s moist spots may surprise you. It’s really absurd.

Ventilating an infected space is a common and effective solution to insect problems. You’ll be blown away by how much of a difference proper ventilation can make in terms of reducing pest populations.

6. Set A Trap and A Bait

 a mousetrap with mouse

Set up some traps in areas where there is pest activity and keep an eye on the situation. If you have a rat problem at home, you may get rid of them using snap traps or sticky traps (also called glue traps). Be aware that setting up a few traps will never be enough to fix your problems; in addition to setting up traps, you will also need to put into practice a few other important recommendations. Be careful to inspect the bait often since dead rats may also attract insects, which might lead to a secondary infestation if they are not dealt with.

7. Keep the Yard Clean

When it comes to pests, your yard is your first line of defense. Before they can go into the house, they have to go into the yard. Keep the grass short and get rid of the weeds. Remove any leaf piles, debris, and broken branches. Do the same with old cars, trashcans, and dumpsters. Wood piles should be elevated off the ground or placed in wood boxes with covers.

8. Plant Herbs Around the House

Several plants and herbs serve as effective insect repellents. They may be kept in your garden, patio, or balcony. Neem, tulsi, mint, marigolds, eucalyptus, tea trees, and citronella are some of the plants. The herbs are attractive, they will make the house appear lovely, and they will help repel insects.

9. Frequently Wash and Dry Your Clothing and Linens

Wash and dry your clothes and linens more often. Do this at least every other week, if not more often. Your bed can be a breeding ground for a lot of pests, like bed bugs and dust mites, that you may not even know about. These pests love to make a home in fluffy, cuddly things like bedding and curtains, so it’s important to keep them clean.

The weekly washing of linens is a healthy practice to keep.

10. Get Rid of Anything You Don’t Need

Tidying up your home is a great way to reduce pests. Get rid of any old boxes or toys that your kids have outgrown sitting around the home. Those things only attract bugs and diseases. Get rid of or sell everything you no longer need, such as a baby stroller, shoes, packing materials, plastic bags and ripped baggage. Ask yourself, “Will I utilize this item within the next three months?” if you’re having trouble deciding whether or not to toss anything away. If the answer is no, then it must be discarded!

11. Check Your Drainage

Resolving a little issue, such as a dripping faucet, might have far-reaching effects. Given that many common pests are attracted to water and moisture, fixing a leaking drainage system may help keep these unwanted visitors at bay. Thus, fixing a leaking drainage system will stop pests from reproducing inside your house. To stop mosquitoes from breeding there, make sure there are no leaks or areas of standing water.

12.  Spray

chemical spray to kill termites

There are a number of new pesticides and insecticides that work quickly and are easy to use. Before applying any pesticides in your house, be careful to read the package information to protect to keep your house and health safe. 

The use of insecticides, which are quite potent chemicals, is one option for eliminating these pests. Exposure to these compounds over time may be somewhat hazardous to human health. Use extreme caution, read and follow all safety instructions carefully, and always wear protective gear while working with any chemical (mask, gloves, etc.).

Don’t Forget About Safety

If you have children or pets in your home, you need be extremely cautious while selecting products. It’s important to keep poisons, traps, and other hazardous materials out of the reach of children and pets. Additionally, you must be cautious when applying pesticides near food or cooking facilities. Look for products designed to be safe for both animals and humans. Many organic products are also safe to use around people, pets, and places where food is made.

Wrapping Up:  

Maintain a tidy home and ensure that all food products are protected. Insects are also living organisms that need favorable breeding conditions. Pests like termites need to be treated by a professional, but most common pests, like cockroaches, are easy to get rid of. It is essential that you remove all of their fundamental needs, such as food and water, and they will perish naturally.  

Infestations may often beyond the reach of do-it-yourself pest management measures. In these situations, it’s time to bring in a professional who can determine what kind of pest you’re dealing with, and give treatment, as well as preventative measures you may use at home.