Nobody likes to entertain pests in the home, but unfortunately they infiltrate the home if you fail to take preventive measures. Statistics indicate that 84% of homeowners have dealt with them in the last year, making this an extensive problem in the US. Apart from being disease-carrying hosts, pests can cause unimaginable damage to the home. Too often, this results in costly repairs that many homeowners wish they could avoid. The discussion here focuses on pest hotspots to keep an eye on in and around your home.
1. The roofing
Several places on, in, and around the home’s roof become habitable places for these unwelcome guests. The unfortunate thing about roofs is that any form of damage can be costly. The roof is the first line of defense against the weather’s vagaries and, at the same time, your protection from pests. However, these unwelcome guests somehow infiltrate and make it their home by burrowing or chewing into the roofing material.
For example, the overhang of the roof or eavestrough can easily become breeding grounds for wasps, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites when inundated with dirt, debris, and stagnant water. You can avoid this by getting regular eavestrough cleaning to keep this part of the roof dirt-free. Although the attic is the interior portion of the house, it is still considered a part of the roof. It is the closest to the uppermost part of the house and is also a hotspot for pests. Rats, mice, squirrels, and carpet beetles are quite common here. The best way to resolve the problem is to keep the attic clean, seal holes and fumigate the place.
2. Trash cans
Warm, dark, and enclosed are three characteristics of trash cans. It is also the three things pests like rodents love. According to statistics, one in three trash cans in the US contains roaches and at least one rat. A further breakdown of the US pest control report indicates that trash cans kept outdoors often contain a variety of rodents and bugs. However, you can take preventive steps by using heavy-duty trash bags to secure the garbage in the can.
Additionally, it helps to use a well-secured lid for your trash cans to prevent pests from climbing into them easily. It would be best to wash these garbage containers frequently to remove food pieces. Again, you may want to spray ammonia solution in and around the ones you keep outside.
3. Cracked walls
If the cracks are wide enough, they can harbor roaches and other large-sized bugs. Smaller ones like termites can also cause havoc in and around the home. It is therefore advisable to seal the cracks. But before doing so, it would be beneficial to fumigate them first. Again, it would be best to inspect the walls to ensure no further damage has been caused before sealing the cracks.
Pest are not just annoying but destructive and can cost you a lot. Therefore, prevention is always better; these are a few tips to get you started.
