How can you do your pest control at home? If you want to keep pests at bay, there are several ways to help you maintain a pest-free home. You need to take these precautions even after having a pest control service. However, if the pests carry the risk of spreading illness or may cause severe structural damage, it’s better to contact a professional.
Pests balance the ecosystem. They may be a nuisance in our homes, but they are essential in sustaining our environment. With that, here are some things that you can do for DIY pest control at home.
How Can I Do My Own Pest Control At Home?
There is a lot of debate in the field of pest control regarding which is more efficient – professional or DIY. Homeowners are interested in taking on pest control by themselves to reduce costs and save time.
DIY pest control techniques utilize both natural and chemical methods. Prevention is the most critical factor in controlling pests that are a nuisance to your household, no matter what method you use. So, we have listed 10 successful home-based pest control methods:
Keep Your Home Clean
It’s a simple thing to do, but a clean house is not as appealing and is hospitable to insects. Make sure to wash dishes regularly and get all food scraps from the sink. Clean up dishwater that has been soiled after every use. Keep your kitchen counters and other surfaces clean. Store beverages and food in glass or plastic containers.
Make mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming a regular daily routine. Utilize garbage bins that have lids that lock and empty them frequently. Keep the lawn cut and remove plants. Maintain the trees and shrubs trimmed back so they’re not getting in the way of your home. Keep your drainage systems in good condition and remove all standing water.
Make Your Home Less Attractive to Pests
Pests enter your home to search for three factors: food, water, and shelter. If you can get rid of these 3 arousers from your house, pests aren’t going to have any reason to enter your home. Make sure your home is clean in the manner mentioned above.
Check and repair leaky pipes or faucets inside and outside of your home. Do not leave pet food or water bowls at night. Clean up your home and eliminate old magazines, clutter, or other clutter. Make use of plastic bins to store your items instead of boxes made from cardboard.
Seal Those Holes
Pests can only enter your home if they locate a way to get in. Certain pests require only the tiniest openings to get into your home. Check the exterior of your house for possible entrance points, and seal them with steel wool, caulk, and so on. Examine the foundations, door frames, windows, utility cables, pipes and wires, and even the roof. Repair damaged screens and windows. Fill the gaps, holes, or cracks in vents or pipes.
Maintain the Yard
Your yard is your initial line of defense against bugs. They need to enter the yard before coming into your home. Cut your grass short and remove the weeds. Remove any piles of leaves, debris, fallen branches, etc. The same is true for garbage cans, old cars, and dumpsters. Remove wood piles from the ground or place them in wooden containers with lids.
Keep It Dry
A well-ventilated home and dry can help in keeping pests away. Pests tend to be attracted by humidity, and basement attics and crawlspaces offer the perfect breeding grounds for them. Utilize a dehumidifier to reduce humidity, and think about an enclosure for your crawlspace to draw pests away from your home.
Do The Laundry
A few pests, including bed bugs and dust mites, can seek refuge in your clothes, bedding, and other items. Clean any sheets, clothing, blankets, and towels you come in contact with frequently (at minimum 3-4 times each month). When you own pets, clean their bedding as frequently to eliminate and keep away fleas.
Use Plants as Natural Repellents
Certain plants may be effective in repelling insects. They are a green alternative to traditional chemical techniques. Plant these plants around your property for a natural solution to typical pests.
- Spearmint (for beetles, ants, moths, fleas, and rodents)
- Rosemary (for beetles, insects, snails, flies, slugs, and mosquitoes)
- Basil (for beetles, flies, and mosquitoes)
- Lavender (for fleas, flies, moths, and mosquitoes)
- Chrysanthemum (for insects, bed bugs and roaches. fleas, ticks and bed bugs)
- Catnip (for insects, roaches, and weevils)
- Lemongrass (for ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and lice)
- Pitcher plants (for insects, beetles, snails, and bees, as well as wasps, flies, and beetles)
- Venus Flytrap (for the entire range of insects)
Identify Common Pests in Your Area
Learn more about the most prevalent pests in your local area and what kind of damage or danger they pose. Pests are different depending on the location, and different treatment options are needed for each. Identification is crucial for proper treatment.
Leave the Good Ones Alone
While certain household pests are harmful in terms of health (like rodents and cockroaches) or could cause significant harm to your house (such as termites) – others are beneficial, especially if have an outdoor garden.
Ladybugs feed on aphids and are excellent for your garden. Green lacewings consume aphids and spider mites. Ground beetles feed on slugs and caterpillars. Bats (as long as they’re outside, not inside your home) can eat and reduce the mosquito population and other species of insects. These pests are excellent natural pesticides that can be used instead of chemical pesticides.
Hire Expert Exterminators
Sometimes, an infestation may be out of the reach of DIY strategies for pest control. In such cases, it is best to consult an expert San Jose exterminator who will determine the type of pest you’re confronted with and offer proper treatment and ongoing prevention methods that you can implement at home.
If you have an issue with pests, call the pest control business in your area for an in-depth evaluation. Call us right away, so we can help you plan the best pest control to eliminate or prevent infestation.
Expel Exterminators LLC
(408) 417-1545
3622 Tuers Road San Jose, CA 95121
