Pests always manage to find a way into our houses. Critters such as cockroaches, ticks, termites’ ants, silverfish, fleas, bed bugs, rats, and mice are the most common in homes. If you have noticed some of these pests lurking around your place, we have made a list of DIY pest control treatments to eliminate the problem.
Though, for severe cases, it’s better to call in experts.

 

1- Check and inspect:

Regularly scrutinise your home and its surrounding areas as an extra precaution. Look for any openings or a crack or crevice that may serve as an entry point for tiny creatures to get straight into your house. If you do happen to find something, you must seal it up as soon as possible. Memorise where the opening is and how big it is, and make space in your schedule to fill it up. The first step to prevent pests from your home is to make sure they don’t have any entry points.

 

2- Keep your house clean at all time:

Ensure that your house is clean, and do it as regularly as possible, especially in the dining area and the kitchen. Be sure to dispose of your garbage properly and keep it away from the house to avoid attracting bugs. It’s the perfect breeding ground for most insects. If waste is piling up in your house or even right outside your door, you’re practically calling out to bugs and inviting them to infest your home.

3-Do not leave food out:

Every time you finish up with a meal, make sure to clean up afterwards, especially at night. Crumbs or dirty dishes always attract bugs straight into your house. And most of all: do NOT leave any food left out in the open. Put leftovers into the fridge or in airtight containers – or at least cover them.

 

4-Keep basements and crawl spaces dry and well ventilated:

The more damp and dank the places are, the more the bugs. Ventilation is essential in keeping the bugs away. Keep humidifiers in areas where there’s a lot of moisture. Most of all, ensure that your house remains dry and aerated. It’s a very mundane tip, I know. But it’s the small things you have to look for.

 

5- Fix your drainage system:

Another aspect that relates to moisture is your drainage system. Maintain it, and make sure it’s in perfect condition. Ensure that there are no leaky pipes or faucets because if so, moisture in the surrounding area will build-up, and it’s unlikely that you could ventilate the place much. What happens next is that before you know it, there are a lot of insects living happily in that place.

 

6- Spray pesticides and insecticides:

There are a wide variety of pesticides and insecticides available in the market for anyone to use. Some are repellents; others flat out kill the bug. Most of them are forceful and fast, and you get a good result. It’s a good idea to keep both in house and a great idea to spray at least once around the area monthly. However, The critical thing to remember is that you should read the labels before using them. Some of the chemicals might be harmful to humans too, and be wary of following the instructions.

 

7- Use traps and baits:

It is more suitable for occasions when you know there are bugs in the house. Set up traps in places that you know have a lot of pest activity. Use sticky traps or glue traps, combined with bait, to catch any rodents that might be in the house. There are many traps available at local stores, and you can quickly get access to one or two. Just be careful that people, especially children and pets, do not go near them or don’t end up getting harmed in the process. If the situation is dire enough to use traps, you should consider calling pest control. They could do a better and more effective job than a trick or bait.

 

8- Do not forget safety:

In the struggle against pests in your house, you should remain wary and careful about being safe so that no one gets hurt in the process. Do not use any elimination technique if you are unsure whether or not it would cause damage to others. Be careful when putting baits, traps, or using any pesticide. Make sure that any pesticide used is out of children and pets’ reach. Educate your children and other people in the house about places where you have set up traps or used repellents. Also, avoid using insecticides, pesticides, or any repellent near food, and remember to wash your hands after using them.