The Best Offense is a Pest Defense
It’s possible to stop common household pests before they come into your home or office. Do what you can to make your building unattractive and inhospitable and you might avoid pest problems entirely.
Here are a few tips:
Indoors
- Before bringing plants, grocery bags and soft drink containers into the house, inspect for bugs that may be hiding in them.
- Keep garbage pails, floors and the kitchen clean.
- If you have a pet, take up its food dish at night and wipe up any food spills.
- Most pests need water. Fix leaky faucets and pipes, and keep drains unclogged.
- Pay special attention to paper products and food containers that you’re storing for recycling; they’re particularly tempting to insects and rodents.
Outdoors
- Store firewood outdoors, away from the house and off the ground. Shake off the logs before you bring them into the house.
- Inspect your home for possible entry points. Caulk or screen areas to seal openings around windows, door frames and pipes. Fill cracks and holes in the foundation of your home.
- Trim tree limbs so they don’t touch or hang over the house. Trim bushes and shrubs back and away from the house so they don’t become a hiding place for insects and rodents.