Pest problems can be extremely stressful and embarrassing. In some cases, it might feel like the pests just won’t go away, no matter how much you try. What you need to remember is that pest control requires an integrated approach. In order to succeed, you must eliminate points of entry, maintain the home, and target the pests directly, using the right products.
If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, get the help of a Brampton exterminator or professional near you. A licensed technician can identify the pest and provide you with a solution that works.
Check out the following tips that professionals use to get rid of pests.
- Block Entry Points
Pests come in from the outside, or from neighboring units within a multi-residential building. Inspect your home’s exterior and look for gaps and openings that could fit pests. Seal these shut with caulking, mesh, expanding foam, or steel wool – whichever works best for the pest you are dealing with.
Common entry points include broken window screens, gaps underneath the doors, wall vents, gaps in the vinyl siding, and cracks in the foundation. Between units, there may be hidden cracks in the wall, or holes surrounding your pipes. Be careful when using shared laundry services and always inspect your belongings when returning from a hotel.
- Hide Your Food
Hiding your food will encourage the pests in your home to feed on bait. It will also reduce the smell of food, making your home less susceptible to getting more pests in the future. Empty out your pantry and put all of your loose foods in sealed jars and containers. Things like beans, pasta, flour, sugar, and rice should be stored in a way that pests can’t get to them. You can find airtight containers in most home supply stores.
- Keep the House Clean
It is important that you get in the habit of keeping the house clean when getting rid of pests. This will get rid of food particles and hiding spots that keep pests alive. Reduce as much clutter as you can and deep the home from the top to bottom. Clean out your kitchen appliances and the surfaces beneath them. Vacuum and mop the floors on a regular basis. Keep your floors clear so that pests have nowhere to hide and repair any holes you find in the walls.
- Reduce Humidity
Pests need water just as much they need food. Insects especially love damp, humid homes. If you have a hygrometer, keep the house somewhere between 50 and 60% during the summer and 30 and 40% during the winter. Otherwise, fill a glass with water and a few cubes of ice. If after 10 minutes, there is lots of condensation on the outside of the glass, your home is too humid.
You can lower the humidity in your home by increasing ventilation. Open the windows regularly and use bathroom fans when taking a shower or bath. Turn on the fan in your kitchen when boiling water or frying food. Check that your faucets don’t drip or leak under the sink and avoid leaving lots of dirty dishes in the sink. If you have trouble lowering the humidity, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier.
- Target Areas of Activity
Whether you are getting rid of rodents, cockroaches, or any other bug, it is important that you target the pests strategically. Research the pest you are dealing with and look for its signs of activity, then set your baits and traps there.
Mice, for example, leave droppings behind them and like to travel along the baseboards of infested rooms. Set multiple traps in these areas, against the wall. When dealing with cockroaches, you will want to spray the infested room from top to bottom, then leave bait within their hiding spots.
Call a Pest Control Company for Help
Many pests require the help of a professional because they are too stubborn to get rid of with store-bought products and DIY solutions. Though it costs a little money, hiring a professional is guaranteed to help. They have the products to get rid of pests quickly, and the training to help you find where they are coming from. Many pest control companies offer pest-proofing services in addition to removal, so you can help stop another infestation from happening. Call a pest control company if you’re struggling with an infestation.
