Content written by-Villadsen Hamann
Pests cause ruin for millions of homeowners every year. If you live in any kind of home, you are one day going to have to deal with some kind of pest. The important thing to remember is that you can handle it. Here are some smart ways for you to handle pests.
Do not expect to get rid of pests by keeping your home clean. It is a myth that you can starve out pests. Many pests can eat things that you would not consider food, like paper or glue. The only way to get rid of pests is to address the problem directly.
Exterminator to using any sprays or powders to kill pests. Oftentimes these methods are also harmful to humans if ingested. Your better safe than sorry, so put on gloves and clothing that covers your skin completely. Wash your clothing right after the application of these items so that no residue can affect you later.
Make a simple fruit fly trap using a 2-liter bottle and some cider vinegar or wine. Cut the bottle in half, and invert the top inside the bottom half, like a funnel. Add an inch or so of your chosen liquid, leaving a bit of space between it and the opening of the bottle. The flies can enter, but they cannot fly out and will drown.
If you see damaged wood in your home, look at it closely for what kind of damage it is. If you see that the soft parts of the wood are gone but that the annual rings are intact, you likely have termites. Other forms of damage would be from other forms of insects.
One of the things that you can do to reduce the amount of pests in your home is to check the exterior of your home for colonies of ants or bugs. You can exterminate from the outside first, as this is generally where the problem will start from before it comes in your house.
If you spot bugs or pest in an apartment complex, you need to complain to your landlord immediately. You will not successfully eradicate the pest if you take action by yourself. The only way to get rid of pest is to treat the entire apartment complex at once, which means residents might have to stay somewhere else for a few days.
If you vacuum up the ants in your home, make sure you sprinkle a little corn starch on them before you do so. This will cause them to die inside the vacuum bag and will ensure that you don't have a problem at a later date. Alternatively, simply use soap and water to take care of the problem.
If you're using mulch, don't mulch all the way to the side of your home. Leave a gap about half a foot in length between the mulch and your outdoor wall. This will give you (or any exterminator) a better ability to see if any pests (like termites) are crawling from the mulch onto your outdoor wall.
Do you have a problem with cockroaches? If so, then ensure your food is stored in sealed containers. Any open containers should be completely sealed inside of zip-top bags or Tupperware, not just clipped at the top with a paperclip. Foods of all types are sure to attract cockroaches and keep them breeding. Seal sugar, flour, and any other baking supplies too.
You need to check your whole house, even if many areas usually don't show signs of pests. If your home has a basement that goes underground, then termites can slowly eat away your home without you realizing it. Make sure crawl spaces and basements are inspected thoroughly.
While squirrels are cute, they can do a lot of damage if they get into the attic area of a home. Many times they chew through electrical wires, creating a fire hazard. Make sure any areas where cables or electrical wire enter the home is protected so they cannot chew a larger hole and gain access to the interior.
Food should all be sealed if you have problems with roaches. A bag clip is not good enough, ensure that sealed containers and zip-lock bags are used for food storage. Any source of food will attract and maintain the cockroach population. Therefore, even your baking supplies, such as sugar and flour, should be kept in sealed containers.
The cleaner your home is, the less likely you are to have bugs infest your home. Bugs actually feed off of the crumbs that are dropped on your floor or in your couch cushions. An unclean home is a perfect place for bugs and pests to breed and become out of control.
Check
related resource site for openings. You want to make sure that you don't help creatures creep into your home. Search along your foundation and walls to see if there are small holes that little critters can crawl into. If you find holes and spaces, make sure to seal them tight.
Colonies of fire ants in your backyard are not exactly welcoming! Instead of calling the exterminator, try this good old trick. It is said that fire ants are repelled by the smell of human urine. Sprinkle human urine on fire ant mounds and they will decide to move somewhere else!
If you've got a problem with cock roaches, be careful with everything, you leave out in the open. They can eat soap, shampoo and toothpaste as well as other strange substances you might think they wouldn't. Keep anything that they could use as food in an air-tight storage container, for your health and to keep from accidentally feeding them.
Avoid purchasing second-hand furniture or toys. These items might come from a home infested with pest. Cockroaches can easily move from one home to the next by hiding in the cracks of a piece of furniture. If you want to buy second-hand items, take the time to inspect and clean them.
Fire ants can be a real pest in your backyard! Discovering a fire ant mound in your yard can be dangerous, especially if you have little ones. Purchase some dry ice and place them on top of the fire ant mound. Make sure you are using protective gloves. This negative 110 degree solution can help kill the queen and the rest of those pesky ants.
Do you feel like you know more about controlling the pests in your home now? There is a solution to every pest problem. You don't have to just deal with living with these pests. Design a complete plan to eliminate the bugs or rodents from your home.