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Pest proofing your house can be a tough project to tackle. Especially during the warmer months when more types of pests are around, it can be tricky to know where to start. If you’re already dealing with any sort of infestation, the best thing you can do is call a pest control company. They’ll send a well trained pest control technician over to your home to conduct an inspection, and figure out the severity, cause, and solution to your current pest problem.
If you don’t have a pest issue at the moment and you’d like to keep it that way, there are things you can do to make your home less vulnerable.
Here are a few things that you can buy at a local hardware or big box store to make your home a pest free zone this summer.
Weather Stripping
One of the main components of pest prevention is closing off access points and sealing your home so that pests can’t get in in the first place. There are several things you can buy to accomplish this goal. Go down to a store and purchase some weather stripping. This material can be used to line your windows and doors and make it more airtight. This will not only keep bugs out of your house, but will prevent the AC and heat from escaping your house as well.
Another thing you can buy in order to seal off your home is caulking. Check your walls for any holes or cracks, and fill them in with caulking.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great thing to buy in order to keep your home pest free. They can actually be used as a DIY pest repellant. Here’s a list of the different common pests and the essential oils that you can use to repel them.
Ants: Spearmint, Peppermint oil
Beetles: Peppermint, Thyme
Chiggers: Lemongrass, Lavender, Thyme, Sage
Fleas: Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Lavender
Flies: Rosemary, Sage, Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus
Gnats: Patchouli, Spearmint
Mosquitoes: Lemongrass, Citronella, Lavender
Moths: Hyssop, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint, Citronella
Roaches: Peppermint, Citronella
Spiders: Peppermint, Spearmint
Ticks: Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme, Lavender
A Sealing Trash Can
One of the simplest purchases you can make to keep your house more pest free is a trash can. You might be thinking “But I already have several trash cans”, and that’s the case for most people in the country. However, if you have a persistent pest problem, you need to pay extra attention to the type of garbage can you have. Your trash can should have a lid that locks into place in order to prevent spills that can leave residues even after you clean up. You’ll also want to make sure your trash is taken out at least once a day, even if it’s not full yet.
A Pest Control Plan
Talk to your pest control professional about planning out a pest control program that you schedule ahead of time. Often you’ll be able to get a better deal when scheduling pest inspections as a package, and this is a great way to make sure your house is always free of any pests that can be damaging to your home or even your health.
