Pests are something that you will likely have to deal with from time to time. If you have stumbled across an infestation of some sort, you will need to learn how to eliminate them. Continue reading to get some great tips on how to get rid of the pests that have made your house their home.
Ask any professional you hire for references. Just because they have an ad in your yellow pages does not mean that they do good business. They only way to be sure that you are going to get your money’s worth is to verify that their other customers are satisfied with their work.
Before you decide to rid your home of pests you should consider the moral implications. For example, if you have a mouse problem you may want a method that just removes them, but does not kill them. These days most exterminators offer this to their customers, but it may be somewhat more expensive.
One of the ways that you can prevent mosquitoes from coming to your house is to eliminate the standing water that you have outdoors. This can be anything from a puddle to a kiddy pool, as you will want to drain all the water in these, especially in the summer.
Eliminate pests naturally. Sometimes you don’t need to resort to chemicals to control pests. Removing sources of water, food and shelter is one way to get rid of them. This is particularly effective in the case of rodents. If you have pets, don’t leave food or water bowls outside, and ensure that you don’t have any holes or cracks in the exterior of your home.
If you have any leaky pipes or anything that drips water, make sure that you get them repaired. Leaving water around is a good way of keeping pests in your home. They will not want to leave because you are giving them a way to get the water that they need.
Termites can be a major problem for any homeowner; they can eat away at your house. One way to prevent them from getting in is by using sealant in your basement. This is a prime spot for them to enter. The best part is that sealant is not expensive and is easy to put on yourself.
Make sure that you mow your lawn frequently. Mowing your lawn is a great way to get rid of the excess matter that is in your front yard, and will kill some of the bugs left stranded. This is a good way to keep your area looking tidy, while reducing pests around your house.
Remove dead trees and shrubbery. If you let these dead plants just sit around, you are begging for pests to hang out around your home. Instead, be proactive and remove them the minute you can. If it’s not a full tree, but simply a few branches, cut them off immediately.
Make sure that you do not incorporate rat poison in your pest control regimen if you have a dog or cat. This poison can be taken in by your pet and can cause great harm. Children should also never be around this kind of bait. They’ll think the pellets are candy.
If you are about to wipe out pest with a chemical product, take the time to protect yourself first. Wear some gloves and find some protective goggles for your eyes. Place a scarf on your nose and mouth to prevent exposure to the chemical. If you get some chemicals on your skin, rinse immediately.
If you can, try to eliminate pests without using pesticides. Although pesticides can get rid of insects, most of them are very toxic and can harm people if enough is breathed in. Therefore, try using an IPM approach. This approach involves using no chemicals so that you can eliminate pests without causing harm to anyone.
Your neighbors can work with you as a team to eliminate pests. In some areas, you neighbors will be experiencing the same problems with pests that you are. Even if you eliminate them, if they’re next door, it’s possible that they can come back anytime. Ask the people around you to help you so that pests are gone for good.
Put screens in your windows. Cool summer breezes are nice, but the insects and bugs that can come in are not so pleasant. While it might be true that you just use the air conditioning most of the time, remember that it can break down and power does go out. Be prepared.
Try to reduce the amount of cardboard boxes that are lying around your house. Pests love to hide in and around these cardboard boxes, and will multiple if you leave them there for a long period of time. Take this precaution if you want to save a lot of time and money.
To keep mosquitoes from crashing your outdoor party, place citronella candles around the tables. They make a nice decoration, and the scent will keep the mosquitoes away. You can put candles in decorative pots of suitable sizes if you want them to be more decorative. Use them from dusk and through the evening when mosquitoes are more likely to come out.
If you believe you may have a termite infestation, examine the wood within your foundation. Since termites are only able to consume the soft portion of the wood, the appearance of the wood rings can tell you if you have an infestation. If you see the rings are intact, you are certainly among the termites.
Do not buy used furniture if you do not want to bring pests into your home. Bed bugs and many other pests can hide for weeks without food in a couch, mattress or upholstered chair. If you that there is a pest problem in your area you should never bring in used furniture.
Now that you are equipped with some valuable information regarding eliminating pests from the home, you are ready to go to war. Start using the tips learned here and soon you will have your healthy, happy home back once again. Bookmark these tips so you can have them handy if the pests should return.