The worst experience a homeowner in London could have is being faced with an invasion of pests.
Not only are the vermins a real annoyance – they cause harm to your property and may even affect your health.
Fortunately, by following a few simple steps, you can, in a short time, make your home completely pest-free without the need to revise your entire family budget.
These simple actions range from outdoor inspections to indoor cleaning and might become instrumental in the fight against unwanted critters.
Outdoor Inspection
Begin with a good look around the outside of your home for any potential cracks, gaps or openings (an entryway preferred by many pests).
You should be thorough when looking at the areas of doors, windows utility pipes and vents. Caulk or weather stripping can be used to seal any gaps you find; this will prevent pests from coming in.
Also, look for evidence of pests, such as chew marks and droppings, as a prompt response can make all the difference.
Rodents and insects will squeeze through the tiniest of spaces; be thorough in searching for any openings.
Clean Up Outdoor Spaces
As clutter and debris attract pests, it’s critical to keep your outdoor areas neat and organised. Clear your yard of any leaves, branches, and other debris since they might serve as bug-hiding places.
Gutter and downspout cleaning and emptying are necessary to keep water from accumulating, as standing water can draw pests like mosquitoes.
If you have ponds or birdbaths, be careful to clean them often and maintain them clear of trash and algae.
To establish a buffer zone where pests are less likely to cross, you should also think about pruning back bushes and shrubs that are close to your house.
Trim the Vegetation and Remove Overgrowth
When vegetation is overgrown, it provides easy access to your home for pests. Trim back bushes, shrubs, and trees from the exterior of your house to eliminate pest-hiding places.
Additionally, remember to get rid of any dead or decaying plants – this can attract more pests and provide them with food and shelter.
Keeping the greenery around your home neatly cut back will help keep pests from moving in.
Also, try growing some bug-repelling plants around your place, such as marigolds, lavender and mint.
Secure the Trash Bins
Trash bins typically tend to be the main culprit of attracting pests – raccoons, rodents, and sometimes even flies. Keep garbage cans covered so pests are not able to scatter the contents out.
You can even use bungee chords or locking mechanisms to keep the lids on. Moreover, clean up your trash cans regularly to eliminate food residues and odours that may act as invitations to pests.
The safer and cleaner your trash bins are, the less likely you are to encounter pest problems outdoors.
If you do compost, ensure that your compost bin is properly sealed and placed away from your property to prevent pests from coming.
Clean and Neaten Up Your Indoors
Pests like to hide and breed in junky places, so indoors must be kept clean and tidy. All junk must be cleared from cupboards, closets, and storage places, thus eliminating the vermins’ hideouts.
Vacuum and sweep the floor frequently to remove all spills and crumbs. Wipe all countertops and other surfaces to remove spilling and residues.
Be vigilant in places like the kitchen where crumbs and mini-spills are common. If you can maintain a clean, clutter-free indoor environment then your likelihood of attracting pests that wander into the home will also be reduced.
Install Door Sweeps and Seal Gaps
Doors and windows are often an entry point for many pests; seal off gaps or openings around these entryways. Install door sweeps on exterior doors to help keep crawling pests outside.
Install weather stripping around any doors and windows. Seal crevices and cracks in walls and siding using caulk.
Finally, check utility penetrations and seal gaps using expanding foam or wire mesh. When you seal gaps and cracks, you help eliminate the potential entry points into your home.
Furthermore, check for gaps around pipes, vents, and electrical wiring because these may serve as entry points for pests.
Use Natural Repellents.
Certain essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil, possess the power to deter different pests. Mix a few drops of them in water and spray around entry points, on windowsills, and baseboards. You can also utilise diatomaceous earth.
Apply it along the perimeter of your home and crawling insects like ants and cockroaches would be repelled by it.
Garlic is the other natural repellent against mosquitoes and aphids.
Take a few of its cloves, pound them up, add some water to them to form a spray, and then spread them all around your garden and outdoors to completely repel any pests.
By incorporating these types of natural repellents into your routine for pest control, you are going to be creating an increasingly hostile environment that will hopefully start to make your home unappealing to these pests.
Conclusion
These eight simple steps, which you can accomplish during the weekend, would help in keeping those unwanted pests away from your home.
From outdoor inspections to indoor cleaning and sealing gaps – these are easy actions that will help make a big difference in avoiding pest infestations.
Take proactive steps to guard your home and family against the annoyance and damage pests can cause. So, roll up your sleeves and get started – your pest-free home awaits.
Very little sweat and attention will help you enjoy a pest-free living environment throughout the year.