It is summer, finally. The heater is turned off and we are switching on the air conditioner to cool off. To add icing to the cake, the Bureau of Meteorology has declared El-Nino is here.
This means Australia is going to have a warmer and drier summer over the next four to five months.
Long summers are great news, is it not? Unfortunately, it is also fantastic news for pests. Yes, those cockroaches, spiders, ants, and other critters, that are already living or about to invade your home.
Yes, I hear you! As a busy parent, you are already a multitasking superhuman, who is probably running a business or working a busy 9-5 pm job, whilst managing children, or a newborn.
It is tough. And the last thing you want to add in your long to-do list is to get rid of pests in your home.
Pests can be a pain in the rear side.
So let us help you tackle one less worry and provide you with useful tips to keep your home pest-free this summer.
Here are 8 practical, easy to action tips you can follow to have a pest free home this summer:
Tip #1 Fortify your home. Protect your castle against pests.
Ants, mice, rodents and spiders are small and incredibly nimble. It only takes a tiny crack, gap or hole for them to breach your defences…enter your home.
Check the walls and entrances around your home, especially at places where you have pipes and wiring from the outside entering your home. Secure any potential openings with caulking, wire meshes or even with cement.
A relatively easy DIY job that can be done on a Sunday afternoon!
Tip #2 A pest free home starts with a clean kitchen
Pests have an acute sense of smell. Spills, unclean kitchen tops, kitchen rubbish waste, and uncovered food attract pests.
It is nearly impossible to achieve a pest free home without a clean kitchen. Period.
A clean kitchen is a primary line of defence against pests. Clean the kitchen counters, sweep the floors, store food in covered containers, clean under the appliances where crumbs can gather.
Tip #3 Clamp the damp!
Pests love moisture-laden or damp areas. Pests like cockroaches seek and reside in damp environments. Check for high moisture in areas like your kitchen and bathroom.
Get a plumber to fix leaky taps inside and outside of the house. Ensure your home has proper drainage, gutters are clear and excess water is diverted from gutters into storm water drains.
Invest in a dehumidifier to keep areas like attics and basement dry and deter pests to infesting these hard to see and reach areas.
Tip #4 Don’t feed the Pests. Clear the trash regularly.
This is an easy one. The more rubbish you keep inside your home, the more you give for pests to feed and forage. Clear out the rubbish regularly.
Make sure the rubbish bins are sealed tight. Disposal of rubbish is an easy step to significantly reduce the attraction for pests like rats and flies.
Tip #5 Maintain your green spaces
Pests love unkept lawns and overgrown bushes. These places are places where pests can hide and thrive. Long, untrimmed tree branches can act as a conduit for pests like ants and spiders to find their way into your home.
Mow the lawns regularly, trim the bushes and clear garden waste and debris. If you are time-pressed, engage a professional gardener.
Tip #6 Schedule regular professional pest treatment
Pest treatments using store brand pesticides are not effective enough. We have been there and tried it before without lasting results.
Off the shelf products simply do not make a difference beyond a certain point. You need a professional pest control cranbourne Melbourne for a thorough pest inspection and effective pest treatment.
A professional pest exterminator can detect pest infestations early and prevent damage. There have been instances where a pest inspector detected early signs of termite activity. This nipped the problem in the bud before it became a very expensive issue.
Having an expert pest control technician inspect your home gives you peace of mind that you are in safe hands.
Engage a pest control company to conduct at least two pest inspections and treatments a year. Getting a pest treatment early in summer is always a good idea.
Tip #7 Leverage Natural Pest Repellents
Mother Nature has given the humanity gifts. Some of them are pest control related in the form of natural repellents and plants that pests are not fond of. Using these natural solutions is a smart way to keep pets at bay. Yard plants that repel bugs are a gentler and non-toxic approach to pest control.
We have found lemongrass, eucalyptus oil can be used to deter cockroaches; peppermint oil keeps spiders at bay; peppermint and mint can keep ants away.
There are many more natural repellents that we can use and plant around the house which can act as a natural defence against pests.
Tip #8 Keep an eye out for pests
Be vigilant and keep an eye out for pests.
Typical signs of pest activity are droppings, unusual smells, sounds like scratching on the roof or walls (presence of rodents), and damaged plants or holes in the yard.
Teach the children about these pest activity signs to provide them with awareness.
Once pest activity is detected, it is imperative pest control treatment is applied as soon as possible before the infestation grows inside the household.
Are you ready for a pest free home this summer?
These eight practical, actionable tips can help you to manage pests effectively this summer.
With the help of these handy pest control tips, we hope you can easily keep your free of pests thereby ensuring a safe and healthy environment for your family.