Is there anything worse than finding a bug in your home? Even if you’re not one to run away from creepy crawlies in nature, walking downstairs one morning to see a cockroach or a trail of ants isn’t anyone’s cup of tea.
If you’re dealing with chronic bug pest issues, calling a professional pest control company can be helpful, but the problem is much more likely to return if you don’t take a few steps yourself.
Listed below are 6 of the best DIY pest control tips out there. After using them, you should see far fewer pests in your home, if any at all. You might even find that you don’t need to call the exterminator after all!
1. Keep Your Home Clean
The number one most important thing you can do to rid your home of a pest problem is to keep your home clean. Keeping your home free of mess and clutter will not only improve your mental and physical health but will also keep bugs at bay.
Be sure to clean the floors thoroughly after you’ve picked up all of the clutter. Frequent vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping will make your home inhospitable to pests, as you’ll be disturbing the places they typically try to nest in.
You should also wipe down any surfaces, especially those in the kitchen. Crumbs and other debris are what pests feed off of and should be kept to a minimum.
At least once a month, if not weekly, clean your drains as well. Drains are a breeding ground for gunk and food particles, making them ideal for flies, gnats, and other pests.
Don’t use store-bought drain cleaners when you do this, as using harsh chemicals that often can damage your pipes. Instead, create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, the foaming action created works the same as drain cleaner.
If you have a garbage disposal, put a few citrus peels into the disposal chamber and turn it on. This will clean the blades and leave your kitchen smelling fresh!
2. Clean Out Your Fridge and Pantry
While we’re on the topic of kitchens, let’s talk about your food storages areas – the fridge and pantry. Obviously, you have no choice but to have food in your kitchen, but keeping it neat and organized will help to drive away pests.
Make an effort to clean out your fridge and pantry weekly, taking care to check for any signs of pests as you do so. Wipe down the shelves and drawers of the fridge to ensure food particles aren’t building up.
Throw out any expired foods, but especially fruits and vegetables that are beginning to turn. There’s nothing fruit flies love more than overripe produce, and they’re difficult to get rid of once they’ve set up shop.
In your pantry, move any food currently in open containers into a sealed bin or resealable bag. Having open food containers in your home is like putting a giant “welcome home, bugs” sign on your front porch.
3. Dispose of Your Trash Correctly
When you’re throwing out that old food, or anything else for that matter, it’s vital that you do so in the correct way. After all, moving food from your pantry into an open trash can two feet away isn’t really doing anything to help you in terms of keeping pests away.
Both your indoor and outdoor garbage cans should have tight-fitting lids, to keep the smell of household waste in and the pests out. You might not think that your outdoor garbage bin matters, but an easily accessible trashcan is the perfect space for pests to find food and create their nests. And once they’ve nested in your outdoor trash can, they’re only feet from the inside of your home and are likely to make their way in.
When you take your trash can to the end of the curb for pick up, check that the area on which it sits is clean. It’s a good idea to hose it off every now and then to remove any debris and spills.
Your recycling bin should also be addressed. Although you don’t throw food into this bin, the particles left behind on food cartons and drink cans can attract pests.
To avoid this, rinse off your recyclables before placing them in the recycling bin. Pay close attention to your soda cans as you do so. Remember, soda is essentially liquid sugar, which is many pests’ favorite snack.
4. Keep Up With Landscaping
Now that we’ve discussed the inside of your home, it’s time to move to the outside. Maintaining your outdoor trash can isn’t the only item you need to add to your household pest control tips checklist.
First, ensure that your yard and porch are clear of leaves and other yard debris. Then, although landscaping isn’t many people’s favorite activity, make the effort to maintain a healthy lawn. Bare spots in your grass will attract ants, and an overgrown yard is a breeding ground for all manner of pests.
If you have any trees, bushes, or shrubs planted near your home, trim them back often. Branches and plants that brush against your home create a bridge between your yard and the inside of your home.
You should have between three and six inches of space between your house and the nearest plant. This means flower beds right against the foundation of your house, while beautiful, are a bad idea if you have a pest problem.
Check that your yard is free of standing water. Common areas that this can occur are beneath your gutter drains and around your HVAC unit.
If you notice water accumulating beneath your gutters, consider installing a drainage system, such as a french drain, to redirect the water. A build-up of water around your HVAC unit means that there’s probably a leak in the system, call your HVAC company as soon as possible to have it repaired.
5. Seal Your Home
As you walk around the inside and outside of your home to complete the above pest control tips, take note of any places that could allow bugs to enter.
If you notice light or air coming in through the edges of your windows or doors, your weather stripping might need to be replaced. If your weather stripping appears to be in good condition, it’s possible that you’re in need of an entirely new window or door.
All of your windows should have screens. If they don’t, it’s time to get some; if they do, inspect your screens for gaps and holes. Keep in mind that the most effective screens have at least 200 holes per square inch.
On the exterior of your home, look for cracks and gaps in the foundation, siding, utility lines, and wiring. Don’t climb on the roof if you’re uncomfortable doing so, but look from the ground to check for any missing shingles.
6. Use Natural Deterrents
Believe it or not, you don’t need harsh chemicals to deter pests. Apart from keeping your home clean and sealed from unwanted critters, there are a few natural deterrents you can use that work wonders.
One of the best pest control materials is something everyone has in their pantry or cleaning cabinet: vinegar.
White vinegar is particularly useful against ants. When ants find a food source, they leave behind a scented trail, helping fellow ants to find it as well. Vinegar destroys this trail, stopping ants from foraging for food inside your home.
Now, vinegar will only prevent further ants from entering your home, it won’t kill existing ants. Most of the time, ants come into your home looking for food, not to create a nest. However, if you do have a nest in your home, you’ll need to use ant bait to get rid of them.
Apple cider vinegar is another excellent tool, except this one is helpful against flies. All you have to do is pour apple cider vinegar into a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Punch a few small holes into the plastic and leave it to sit; flies will get into the bowl to get the vinegar, but won’t be able to find their way out again.
You should keep both white and apple cider vinegar in your house at all times, as they both have a variety of uses beyond that of a cooking ingredient.
Use These Pest Control Tips to Maintain a Bug-Free Home
As you can see, making your home an unwelcome place for pests isn’t difficult, all it takes is a bit of effort and consistency. By using these pest control tips, your home will be bug-free in no time.
Remember, one of the best things you can do is the simplest of all – keep your house clean. Bugs and other pests thrive in clutter and crumbs.
Looking for more tips and tricks for creating a happy, healthy home? Be sure to check out my blog!
