Trying to get rid of a pest infestation can sap the energy out of anyone. Not only is it hard work to track down the source of an infestation, it’s also hard to feel at ease once you’ve seen a line of ants in your home, a scattering of rodent droppings in your kitchen, or a handful of spiders in your basement.
You may be tempted to use insecticides to quickly eliminate the pests you see, but insecticides aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be. Not only can they be dangerous to children and pets who spend a lot of their time close to the ground, they also aren’t always effective. For example, when insecticides are used on ants, they can actually cause them to scatter and form multiple new colonies.
Instead, try these natural preventative pest control methods to help keep your home pest free.
Prevent Them in the First Place
Start controlling pests before they even get the chance to enter your home. Regularly inspect for gaps and cracks along your doors, windows, and foundation. Seal as soon as you see an opening, and you’ll save yourself plenty of hard work down the road.
You also need to keep your house clean. ...
Bed bugs are some of the most unpleasant household pests to deal with, and they are unfortunately very common. A 2011 survey found that one out of five Americans has either experienced a bed bug infestation in their home or knows someone else who has experienced bed bugs in their home or at a hotel. Bed bugs are found in all 50 states, so no one is safe from a potential infestation. That said, there are ways to prevent and get rid of bed bugs, including bed bug treatment and control strategies. To prevent these unwanted pests from invading your home, check out our tips for preventing and controlling bed bugs.
Bed Bug Basics
Know what a bed bug looks like so you can spot one.
First, you need to know how to identify a bed bug so you can take the proper steps to eliminate them. Any strategy to get rid of bed bugs won’t be effective if what you are really dealing with is a flea, tick, or some other insect. Check out this EPA website that gives descriptions and photos that will help you identify a bed bug when you see one.
Know how bed bugs enter your home
Bed bugs most ...
Termites are the biggest threat to your biggest investment – your home. Although we watch the devastation of homes on the news, like wildfires taking over neighborhoods and tornados wiping out communities, the fact is that termites (not catastrophic events) are the top threat to wooden structures. Termites cause more than $5 billion in damage each year, and many Americans will have to deal with termite control or termite treatment at some point in their lives.
Termites are most active in warmer climates. However, they are found in 49 states (all but Alaska). If your home becomes infested, it is important you seek termite treatment right away. Professional pest control companies can help you rid your home of termites, and they can also implement termite control strategies that help monitor termite activity. If you think you may have a termite problem, check out these 3 common signs your home may be infested with termites.
1. Wood Damage
Termites feed on cellulose, a component of wood, and as they eat their way around your home, they can damage the wood found in your floors, walls, and ceilings. When they feed, they do so inside the wood, not on the surface. Therefore, the wood damage ...
