Pests like ants, rodents, spiders and fleas are common invaders in homes. They can cause damage to food, fabrics and structures, but many can also carry disease-causing pathogens. While it’s not always possible to get rid of all unwanted pests, preventive steps can make your home less hospitable to them. These include identifying the pest, making your house an inhospitable environment, using baits and traps, and using physical removal methods. Chemicals are most commonly used for pest removal, as they can quickly and effectively kill or repel the targeted organisms with minimal risk to people and pets.

 

Eliminate Food Sources

Ants, cockroaches, mice and other rodents are attracted to crumbs and spilled food. To keep them away, clean surfaces after meals, store food in sealed containers and throw garbage regularly. You can also help prevent pests by removing their food sources outside your home. Store firewood and mulch piles a distance from the house foundation, and trim branches that touch your structure’s siding.

Eliminate Moisture Sources

Damp areas are breeding grounds for some pests, including silverfish, springtails and house centipedes. To reduce their presence, clean and vacuum storage areas regularly and fix leaky faucets and pipes. Use a dehumidifier in damp rooms, and ventilate basements and crawl spaces well.

Block Entry Points

Some pests enter your home seeking shelter Discover more, but most simply wander in search of food or water. Prevent their arrival by caulking cracks and crevices, sealing gaps around utilities entering the house and repairing screens.

Regularly check windows and doors for holes, and repair them promptly. Clean out gutters and drains, and keep compost bins a good distance from the house. Store garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, and use trash receptacles with tightly fitting covers.

Remove Pest Attractants

Clutter provides hiding spots for pests, and it also makes it hard to clean your home. Clear clutter, and get into the habit of cleaning behind refrigerators, ovens and sinks as well as under furniture. Keep the kitchen counters clear of food crumbs, and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.

Spiders may be creepy, but they do an important job by controlling other pest populations. Besides eating flies, moths and other insects, they’re also known to control roaches, earwigs and other pests. However, if you have arachnophobia, be careful around these harmless arachnids.

Use a flashlight to inspect your home at night for pests that are more active during the day, such as spiders and centipedes. You can also try spraying their nests with a saline solution or a homemade insecticide made from crushed chestnuts or essential oils.

Consider Using Baits and Traps

If preventive measures don’t discourage the pests you’re trying to get rid of, it’s time for a more aggressive approach. Baits and traps are effective ways to lure pests into containers where they can be killed by a poison or a trapping mechanism. Look for traps and baits that are designed to minimize the amount of pesticide that comes into contact with humans.