How to Handle Pest Infestations At Home

The Most Common Pests and Their Entry Points

The walls aren't the only way insects enter your home. Here are the other important points you need to watch out for:

• Ants – if you have trees in your garden, the branches which touch your house become an “insect bridge” to your home. Also, this allows ants and other insects to nest in clogged gutters.

• Squirrels and bats – these creatures like the attic because it’s a cosy refuge. So gaps along dormers, roof vents, and adjoining rooflines become entrance points into your attic.

• Cockroaches – don't store unused cardboard boxes because they are the perfect habitat for cockroaches.

• Beetles – bear in mind that sliding windows, doors, and thresholds provide insects with an easy entrance.

• Mice – these rodents hide in tiny holes in the gaps around utility lines and along foundations which provide them a thoroughfare into your home.

Moisture bugs – lawns, poorly directed downspouts and shallow slopes make basements moist for centipedes, spiders, and other bugs to thrive.

Pest remediation is an important topic in homeownership, especially if you are thinking of selling your home. From urban areas to rural communities, homeowners everywhere may struggle with pest remediation. Whether you're a new homeowner who would like to prevent pests, or you're an experienced homeowner who has long struggled to keep pests away, these tips can help.

Recognize the Signs of Pest Infestation

Knowing the signs of pest infestation is important. It's especially important to recognize these signs early in the infestation. Catching the signs early can ensure that the homeowner will be able to remediate the pests before they become a serious problem. Homeowners can watch for:

• Mouse feces. Mouse feces are small, black, and shaped like a small grain of rice.
• Chew holes through food. In the event of a mouse infestation, the homeowner may notice that mice have chewed through items in the pantry like cereal boxes and bags of rice.
• Bugs run away when the lights come on. This is a classic sign of a cockroach infestation.
• Scratching sounds in the walls or in the room at night. In addition to other things, this could be a sign of a mouse or a rat infestation.
• Unusual odors in the vents. Sometimes animals will make a nest in the vents, which can lead to the spread of strange smells.
• Unexplained destruction. Homeowners may also notice chewed holes through the walls, screens and other parts of the house.

Homeowners who notice any of these signs should take action soon, to get rid of the pests before they become a bigger problem.

Lifestyle Changes Can Prevent Pests

There are many lifestyle changes that can prevent pests. Pests are most attracted to homes where they can find food, water, shelter, heat, protection and easy access. Typically, homeowners start fighting pests by making their home less accessible and by removing sources of food and water. Homeowners who want to keep pests at bay can do many things.

In the kitchen, homeowners can keep food in hard plastic or glass containers that cannot be chewed through. Repairing all leaks as soon as they develop can also keep away mice and insects, because leaks often provide water to pests. Keeping garbage can lids is another way that homeowners can keep mice and insects out of the kitchen. Doing the dishes every night and taking out the trash on a nightly basis also helps.

In addition, these general household maintenance tasks can also help:

• Seal up cracks and holes that pests can use to access the home.
• Weatherstripping.
• Avoid leaving doors and windows open without screens to stop bugs and mice from entering.

Doing these things on a regular basis makes the house less hospitable for rodents and insects. It's also helpful for homeowners to seal the cracks in their home's exterior with caulk and other sealing products. Doing this makes it harder for pests to get into the house.

All Natural Pest Solutions

As mentioned previously, you can take a spray bottle and create a number of all natural pest control solutions with things likely present in the pantry right now. It’s easy to create a mixture of water and dish soap to about a 5 percent solution to tackle pests such as ants, roaches, spiders and other pests. Another option is to mix one part garlic juice with about five parts water, but you’ll want to definitely use it outdoors if you’re sensitive to smell. Many individuals also incorporate citrus essential oils with water to naturally fight a number of unwanted pests.

Those who need to cover larger areas will appreciate the natural pest eradication abilities of diatomaceous earth. This non-toxic powdery substance is inexpensive and wholly safe for pets and people. Diatomaceous earth kills by natural mechanisms, and is highly effective for fighting roaches, fleas, and countless other critters that are undesirable around the house.

Signing Up with a Pest Remediation Company Can Help

If you're a homeowner who is concerned about pests living in your home, one of the best ways that you can prevent pests from occupying your space is by teaming up with a reputable pest control company. A good pest control company should be able to safely put out poisons that can prevent pests from establishing themselves in your home. Many pest control companies will also give homeowners ideas about ways that they can make their home less accessible for pests.

Removing pests from your Evanston new home or property can help you maintain your property's value. To find out more about how you can improve your property's value, contact a real estate professional. Your real estate professional can help you decide what action you can take to make your home sell for more.