Pest infestations can be the scourge of the hospitality world. Restaurants and takeaway joints have to keep tight control on this area to prevent them from having any health and safety issues.
Households unfortunately can also suffer from pest problems. Luckily though, homes are generally easier to control the presence of pests than commercial food premises simply due to the nature of the contents.
However, infestations in homes do indeed happen.
One study by the National Library of Medicine shows how easy it is for pest infestations to start. This particular report was on the prevalence and spread of bed bugs throughout Ohio, and could have possibly been averted through education, and avoidance of using the wrong pest control methods.
Why do pest infestations happen?
Many people believe that the sight of pests in a home can point to a lack of cleanliness. There is a degree of truth here of course, and this will be touched on again later.
Yet, some infestations begin through no fault of the homeowner. Bed bugs are one pest that loves to hitch a ride on an unsuspecting traveler, and this is exactly how Ohio ended up with a huge problem. People threw away infested furniture carelessly, and this allowed the spread of bed bugs to move through the county.
Other reasons for infestations can be easy access to a home, the house being generally inviting with food available, and it can be due to the proximity to nature. For example, if there is ivy covering the walls of a home then this is going to enable various pests to gain access to all areas of the building.
How can you stop pests from ever infesting your home?
There are some simple pest control tips to prevent unwanted guests, and you will be able to read about them below.
While there are plenty of other ways to stop pests from gaining access to your home, here are ten that you can use right now.
Check for damp areas
Some pests actively seek out damp areas, and they like to make them their homes. These include woodlice, caterpillars, and silverfish.
According to Healthline, silverfish may cause some allergic reactions in individuals, but there are few studies available at the moment. Caterpillars like to feed on silverfish, so if you have one, you may end up with the other too.
Fixing leaks and stopping damp patches from happening will stop these pests from moving in, and will also stop other problems such as mold and mildew.
Close off the entry points
A very important prevention method is to simply stop access points. Unfortunately, this can be hard to carry out effectively. Mice can find their way through almost any little gap.
However, filling in cracks and crevices, blocking gaps under doors, and sealing draughts and vents, can at least reduce the chances of pests entering the home.
Bring in a pest control expert
There is no need to wait until you have an infestation to bring in professionals. Hiring experts in pest control will help you to put into place a prevention plan.
Pest control experts don’t just eradicate creepy crawlies, they can also stop them from entering buildings, to begin with.
Understand good and bad pests
If you enjoy the outdoors, and especially your garden, then it is worth understanding who the good and bad guys are.
Some insects eat other pests. Knowing how to balance your garden effectively will help to reduce pests outdoors.
Seal up food containers
A simple but extremely effective pest prevention method is to cut off any food sources. Seal up all your food containers, remove waste from the home regularly, and never leave any food available.
This isn’t foolproof as some pests eat other things such as dander, hair, and paper. But at least you will be diminishing the options again.
Remove clutter
Some pests such as mice love to nest in clutter. This is a simple prevention technique, and your home will look more pleasing for it. Declutter the home, and other areas such as the basement, and the garden, for maximum effect.
Use pest control methods
You can stop many of the most common pests with some simple control methods of your own. Flypaper for instance will catch those annoying insects, while citronella candles and lemongrass can ward off mosquitoes.
Check your pets
You may love your pet more than anything in the world, but he or she can also be bringing pests directly into the home. Use flea and tick treatment, and check them regularly.
Ticks and fleas aren’t just unwelcome visitors, they can cause health problems for anyone in the home. Ticks can carry typhus and transmit it to humans if they bite.
Remove tree stumps
Tree stumps will rot over time, and they will attract a number of pests. The proximity of the tree stump to the home could also mean that these pests move into the house.
Shrubbery close to a home, woodpiles, and even trees, should be considered potential problems too. It would be extremely easy for certain pests to move from tree branches to the roof for instance.
Check your roof
With that last point in mind, you should check your roof. This is particularly true if you have suffered a serious storm and there is potential damage.
Pests have a habit of finding weak points in roofs and then making their homes there. This can lead to serious damage to the roof over time and perhaps require a whole new installation.
Summary
When you consider the last point, it is worrying what damage pests can do to your home. Mice and rats can damage all manner of areas of a home, while termites can rip through wood.
Of course, the health implications of a pest problem may be more worrying to you. This area should concern anyone who suffers from asthma, as many pests can exacerbate this illness.
By following the steps above though, you may be able to prevent any pests from ever really taking root in your home. As for bed bugs, just check your clothing and baggage before you return from your exotic holiday.
