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We’re a solutions-oriented business; when we see a problem, we don’t want to waste any time lamenting it or worrying about it. We just want to fix it, and fix it fast. So when you call use about a trail of ants in your kitchen, our immediate reaction is to figure out how to get rid of it.
But what if you could avoid that problem altogether? There’s no reason you can’t keep your home pest-free, as long as you practice good habits and put up some defenses. Want to safeguard your home from pests? Here are five ways to accomplish that:
1. Leave the Kitchen Spotless Every Night
Spotless is a strong word, but the kitchen should be pretty darn clean. You should wipe down every surface, sweep the floor, store leftovers and take out the trash every single night. Yes, that’s a lot of work, but do you know what else is a lot of work? A cockroach infestation.
2. Don’t Leave Spot’s Food Bowl Out
It’s as American as apple pie to have a dog, but your best friend could be the source of pest issues. Critters aren’t picky and would love to share Spot’s kibble, so don’t leave it out all night. You should feed your animals at specially designated times, but if you prefer to let the pets eat at their leisure, just be sure to store the food at bedtime.
3. Check Windows and Doors For Tight Seals
This is just a good general tip, because tighter seals around doors and windows will save you money on energy costs. And as an added bonus, it will prevent creatures from squeezing underneath doors to get into your home.
4. Keep the Yard Free of Lumber
If you have a fireplace, you probably store your firewood in the backyard – but that’s a tremendous mistake. Any wood left on the premises could become a feeding spot for termites. In fact, your property should be free of any excess lumber, dead trees, broken branches or tree stumps. Termites will happily eat all of them.
5. Don’t Allow Branches to Hang Over the Roof
Of course, not all pests are bugs. Rodents are equally problematic, and you can give them a virtual red carpet to your home with branches. When branches hang over your roof, rodents, raccoons and squirrels can use them to hope onto your home. They can then wreak havoc up there, or look for a way inside the house. Eliminate this problem altogether by trimming those branches.
