Whether you are dealing with rats, roaches or rodents, pest problems can be quite the hassle. Exterminators, however effective they might be, can be out of some people’s price range. You may decide to tackle the issue yourself. This article will teach you how to do just that.
Steel Wool
Use steel wool to fill up mouse holes. Steel wool will prove nearly impossible for even a rat to chew through. If it is more than 1/2 an inch, it should be filled up. The pests can enter your home through very small openings.
Try vacuuming every single rug in your home. Any stray insects will be sucked up in the vacuum. Dispose of the bag when done.
Get rid of pests by going to the root of the problem. A good way to deal with a household pest is to eliminate what they live on. Pests are attracted to food, water, and shelter. Make sure you search for food scraps lying around, any water leaks in your plumbing, and openings in your home.
Use a perimeter spray if you want to keep bugs away from your home. Spray all around steps, porches, foundation and even windows and doors. As you are spraying, check surfaces for cracks and nooks that can be the point of entry for pests. Use caulk or something similar to seal these areas.
The best thing to do if there are flying pests in your home is to repair your screens. In addition to preventing flying insects from entering, they can also deter those who crawl. It’s important to repair any holes in screens around your home.
Plant bushes several feet from your home’s exterior. Bushes make a great home for many different insects and rodents. Placing bushes too close to the house is an open invitation for pests to invade.
Mint Leaves
Mint can help in your battle against mice. Plant some mint near your home’s foundation. This will make the mice find another home that has less aversive stimuli. If you’ve got mice, sprinkle some mint leaves near the affected areas. Mice usually don’t like mint leaves, but you have to remember to keep fresh ones out.
Pest repellents that are electronic prove very effective. You plug these little devices in every room, and they make a tiny buzzing sound that keeps rodents away. Humans cannot hear the sound, and it does not harm pets or humans in any way. Rodents dislike this sound and will leave.
Be sure and get rid of any fallen trees in your yard. Use the trunk and branches as fuel for your fireplace. Use the wood or give it to people. However, remember to deal with the stump too. The dead wood in stumps is very attractive to termites.
Do not use rat or mouse poison if you have pets in your home. If one of your pets find the mouse, whether dead or alive, they could get poisoned as well. You should also avoid these poisons if you have small children. The pellets can look like candy, and your child may find them and eat them.
Finding how pests are getting into your home is the key to defeating them. For example, there might be a little gap in your window where spiders come in, or perhaps you pet is bringing insects in. Get rid of the root of the issue to solve the larger problem.
Exterior lights can attract pests. Try to avoid lights too close to your home. Consider using lights with a orange or yellow glow that bugs do not like as much; this will cut down the number of insects going inside your house.
Recycling may be a haven for pests. That is why you should have them placed outside your house. If that is not possible, rinse all items prior to placing them in the recyclables bin. When getting rid of your garbage, use sealed recycling containers to ward off pests.
Consider your pesticide application method if you have persistent bug problems. By spraying your exterior only, you may be trapping bugs inside the house. Find products you can safely use inside and outside of your home to get rid of bugs once and for all.
Get rid of clutter, and the bugs. Tables and bookshelves are favored hiding spots of most small pests. Get rid of clutter and eliminate as many places as possible where pests can live.
In conclusion, having pests in one’s home can be chaotic. The cost of an exterminator is quite pricey, so you should try and do the job yourself. Use the information here as a guide for getting rid of these pests.