Pests can be a big problem at any time of the year. Pests like insects, rodents, and wildlife can cause damage to your home and your family’s health. The cost of repairs can be very expensive.
Combat unwanted infestation by being prepared with these easy tips and keep your home free of pest infestation for good. Perform regular inspections around your home where pests live like basements, laundry rooms, attics, under and behind appliances, the garage and your yard.
Regular home maintenance is important to prevent pests from getting access to your home as it ages. Do regular inspections of the outside of your home and make repairs, described below as necessary.
Kitchen
Minimize the food source for pests in your kitchen by keeping it clean. Clean up after meals and keep food in one room of your house. Place food in your cupboard into sealed containers including your pet food. Use a sealant in any gaps around your cabinets.
Keep your garbage sealed as well. Clean any sticky residue off jars and bottles after use. It is also important to vacuum under appliances in your kitchen every week. Wash your dishes after using and clean your sink properly with hot soapy water. It’s also a good practice to pour vinegar and baking soda into your drains followed by hot water. Do this monthly to clear the drain of debris.
Bathroom
It’s almost impossible to avoid moisture in your bathroom and moisture is a haven for pests. Regularly clean behind your toilet and sink. Use an expanding foam on any gaps near pipes that go thru the walls.
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Don’t leave damp sponges or clothes in the bathroom. Dry your shower curtain after and wipe down ledges after use. Clear your drains monthly with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water to remove the buildup of bacteria.
Pet food
Place a mat under your pet’s food dish and clean it regularly. Don’t leave dirty food dishes on the floor or uneaten food in the bowl to attract pests.
Laundry area
It is important to not leave wet dirty clothing all over your home. Place dirty laundry in a basket and keep it in the laundry room. Clean around washer and dryer regularly and check for leaks and accumulation of sitting water. Water is a perfect environment for some insects to thrive.
Yard
Clear tree branches and leaves and other debris that bugs and small critters live in away from your house. These bugs are also a food source for larger animals like rats and raccoons. Do not store your woodpile up against your home. Keep your woodpile at least 20 feet from your door. Snakes and rodents love woodpiles, and they are a great environment for bugs.
Keep your composter away from the house as well as garbage containers. Keep tight lids on garbage cans. Rinse recyclables before throwing them into bins. Cut branches off trees that hang over your roof. This provides squirrels, rats, and other animals access to your roof, and they can gain access to your home.
Do an inspection of the exterior of your home looking for gaps or cracks. Have a professional check your roof for missing tiles. Check for damage to the flashing around your chimney, fascia, and soffits. Check your doors and windows and fill any gaps with expanding foam and replace any worn or missing weather stripping around doors and windows.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here
