Pest Control Tips at Home
Pests refer to unwanted organisms that interfere with human activity. Pests may damage buildings by eating wooden structures. They destroy food crops by feeding on them with some making the food toxic. Pest control is the process of preventing or eliminating pests.
Pests can be controlled through biological, chemical, cultural and physical methods. There are companies in Australia that offer professional pest control services. However, before hiring a pest control company, below are a few pest control tips that you can use to keep pests away from your home.
Understand the risks of pest infestation.
It is essential that you understand the dangers that pests pose to your home before engaging in any method of control. Pests such as rodents are considered extremely dangerous as they can spread disease in a matter of days. Others such as termites undermine the structural integrity of your house over time.
Inspect your house for pests.
Most pests conduct their activities in areas with little human activity. You are likely to find them in attics, basements or under staircases. During inspection look out for holes which could be used as entry points and pest droppings to indicate pest activity. Ensure that all potential entry points are sealed. In addition, remove mud tubes, nests and any other pest like shelters.
Keep your house clean.
Thorough cleaning of your house on a regular basis will help deter pest activity. Rodents and flies, for instance, are attracted to garbage and food leftovers. Keeping food sealed and repairing leaking faucets also helps prevent pests as they will not have any food or water in your house. Pets such as dogs and cats can bring in ticks and fleas in your house. Wash or spray them with insecticide regularly. Damp areas attract cockroaches and mosquitoes. It is important that you seal water leaks and drain off water puddles around your house.
Access the need for further control.
If the pest infestation level in your house is severe, then you must consider further measures of eliminating the pests. You may choose chemical means by use of pesticides. Biological means introducing natural enemies of the pest in the house, such as cats to eat rats. Physical methods include trapping the pests or destroying their breeding grounds.
Pest control at home begins with understanding the risks of pest infestation, inspecting your house for pests, cleaning your house and determining what pest control measures you will initiate if the infestation is severe.