A question we continuously hear from homeowners in the GTA is, “How can I prevent pests from moving in?” As expected, thorough housekeeping is the number one line of defense. When homeowners first encounter pests in their living space, there is a tendency to create a quick fix. However, to completely get rid of the problem, many long-term actions need to be addressed.
As professional exterminators, we understand the concern that many people have when they notice unwanted rodents and insects in their daily environment. To help you create a sanitary and safe space, we decided to put together a list of precautionary measures you can take to avoid pest infestation in your home or your workplace.
What kind of pests can enter my home?
There are a wide variety of insects and rodents that live within the “pests” category. While some are more visible than others, they are all capable of entering your home without being noticed. These are the most common pests that reside throughout homes and office spaces in the GTA:
- Bedbugs
- Wasps and bees
- Ants
- Mice
- Cockroaches
- Roof rats
- Moths
- Fleas
- Fruit flies
- Mites
- House Flies
Inspect entry points
To effectively determine if there are gaps in your foundation, you will need to conduct a detailed inspection of your home or workplace. Once pests have access to your home, they will damage any insulation and wiring while finding a way into your living space.
Fortunately, there are few things you can look out for during this process:
- Leaking pipes: Ensure that you don’t have any leaking pipes, appliances or faucets around your home.
- Holes and cracks: Openings in your foundation and ventilation are spaces that allow pests to enter. If you do come across any gaps, ensure that you have them sealed as soon as possible. Roaches, termites, and other pests are most likely to enter through cracks in your walls.
- Screen doors and windows: Having a completely open window or door without a screen is almost like holding up a welcome sign for pests. An easy solution to this problem is to install filters on any openings to avoid having an accessible entrance for unwanted pests.
Avoid keeping food out
If midnight snacking is your guilty pleasure, you need to be extra cautious. Leaving any type of snack out around your home will attract pests. It’s important to wrap up any leftovers or store them in containers to ensure that you don’t draw attention to unwanted bugs and rodents.
Keep your trash tightly concealed
In most homes, garbage bins are stored in the garage. While this is easier than regularly pulling your garbage bin to the street or outside your house, gaps in the lid of your bin will attract pests. To avoid this, make sure your bin is always tightly closed.
Inspect dried food packages
Crossing items off a grocery list is a task that most of us are used to. However, it isn’t uncommon to forget to check the packaging of the items you are purchasing. There is always a possibility that worms, beetles, moths and other pests are hiding throughout dried goods and other grocery store items. Make it a habit to examine your item before tossing it into your cart and checking it off your list.
Regularly clean your home
With a busy schedule, we know how frustrating it is to clean your home continuously. However, spending a weekend decluttering and disinfecting your space can make all the difference. Pests are naturally drawn to dark areas, making it difficult to know if they are already inside your clutter. By clearing out unwanted items, you are leaving less room for pests to live. Here are some of the spots that are crucial to disinfect:
- Countertops: Crumbs are often left behind on countertops in kitchens. We recommend that you clean your counters before and after cooking each meal to ensure that no grains of food are left behind.
- Floors: Sweep and mop your floors as often as you can to get rid of any dust, food crumbs or garbage. If you have a pet, be diligent when cleaning.
Be strategic with your landscaping
If possible, we recommend keeping landscaping projects away from the foundation of your home. Trees, plants, and soil are inviting spaces for moisture ants, carpenter ants, and termites.
We also advise homeowners to opt out of using wood mulch. Beetles and termites are attracted to wood, so we advise choosing gravel or rock instead.
Hire professionals to disinfect your home
The most crucial step to preventing pest infestation is to remove all traces of insects from your home. While being cautious and diligent is a great way to address the problem, it sometimes isn’t enough.
The primary way to guarantee that your home is pest-free is to hire professionals. Knowing where to find pest infestation and exactly how to eliminate the source is the only way to take permanent control.
Here at Pestend, we want you to be completely confident that your home is pest-free. We understand how important it is for homeowners to have a safe and sanitary environment. By specializing in pest control, wildlife control, and bed bug extermination, we are happy to help you clean out your space by offering expert assistance at an affordable price.
To take advantage of our free estimate service or learn more about our money back guarantee, feel free to visit our website.
