How To Keep Your Home Pest Free?

Last Updated on December 16, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford

Keeping your home pest-free can be a challenging task, especially if you live in an area with warm weather and plenty of vegetation. Pests such as ants, roaches, spiders, flies, fleas, and rodents are all common household invaders that can quickly become a nuisance if not dealt with properly.

Fortunately, there are several steps that you can take to help keep your home free from pests and maintain a healthy living environment for yourself and your family. Here are some tips on how to prevent pests from entering your house and how to get rid of them once they have arrived, including natural solutions for keeping pesky critters away without the use of harsh chemicals or expensive exterminators. 

Calling The Pros

If you’re dealing with a major infestation, don’t hesitate to contact a professional pest control company. Trained technicians are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to help eradicate any existing pests in your home.

Hiring pest control in West Orange, NJ can also help to prevent any future infestations, as these professionals are familiar with the local pests and can suggest long-term strategies for keeping them away. Even if you want to deal with the issue by yourself, consulting with experts can help you create a foolproof plan that will keep pests away for good.

Keeping It Clean

Pests love clutter, so maintaining a clean home is essential when it comes to preventing an infestation. Make sure you’re regularly vacuuming, sweeping, and washing surfaces in your home to reduce the number of places they can hide.

Furthermore, inspect all food packages before bringing them inside and store food items in tightly sealed containers or the refrigerator.

A dirty house creates an inviting environment for bugs and rodents, so keeping your home clean will go a long way toward discouraging pest activity. And while you’re at it, make sure to clean out your pet’s food bowl after each meal and sweep up any pet fur or debris around the house that might attract certain pests.

Exclusion And Repair

Preventing entry points is key to eliminating potential infestations before they start. Make sure all windows and doors have tight seals, check for cracks in the walls and foundation of your home, repair any damaged window screens, and seal off air vents with mesh covers.

If necessary, use a caulking gun to fill in any gaps or holes where pests could be entering from outside. Taking these proactive steps can go a long way toward keeping unwanted intruders away from your home. For example, if you live in an area with a high fire ant population, regularly clearing away any debris or clutter from outside your home can help keep the ants from getting inside.

Natural Solutions

If you’d rather not use harsh chemicals to get rid of pests, there are several natural solutions that can help keep them away. For instance, essential oils such as peppermint and lavender have been known to be effective at repelling ants, fleas, and other bugs.

Placing these oils around windowsills or doorways can effectively deter certain pests from entering your home. Similarly, diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring powder composed of the fossilized remains of small aquatic organisms that can be used to ward off cockroaches and spiders without any harmful chemical agents. 

• Ultrasonic sound devices are also available that emit high-frequency noises inaudible to humans but which can be very irritating for certain insects. Finally, using natural predators such as ladybugs, frogs, and lizards can help to keep your home pest-free without any dangerous or toxic chemicals.
• Attract pest-eating animals like owls, bats, and birds of prey. If you can create a habitat around your property that attracts these natural predators, they’ll help to keep the pests away from your home. 

The Dos And Don’ts Of Using Chemicals

If you do decide to use chemicals to get rid of pests, always remember to read the label thoroughly and follow the instructions carefully. When using any type of pesticide, make sure to wear protective clothing, goggles, and gloves.

If you have pets or small children in your home, it’s also important that you keep them away from the area while you’re applying the chemicals. Additionally, be sure to keep all harmful chemicals in a safe place where they cannot be reached by children or pets. Finally, when using any type of pesticide, always remember to discard any unused amount properly. 

By following these tips on how to prevent pests and how to get rid of them once they arrive, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of an infestation in your home. Maintaining a clean environment and making sure potential entry points are sealed off is essential, while natural solutions like essential oils and ultrasonic sound devices provide alternative ways of eradicating unwelcome critters.

Ultimately, no matter what measures you take to protect your home from pests, it’s important to stay vigilant and make sure any existing problems are dealt with quickly before they become unmanageable.