You really can’t blame pests like ants, rodents or other unwanted animals when they invade your home. You are living in their natural habitat, and they are just trying to find a place to survive. However, this doesn’t mean that you want them scurrying across your floor or marching across your walls! Rodents can carry some nasty diseases that can make you and your family very ill. There are some home improvement tactics that you can use to ensure that your living quarters are kept free from unwelcome pests.
Keep Your Windows Sealed
Over time, your house will shimmy, shake and settle. This allows areas around your windows to form small holes or cracks. If these are left untreated, they may become an entryway for small pests to make their way into your home. To close any holes that appear around window frames, use a caulk that is moisture resistant and spread it around the edge to seal any openings. You should also check to see if there are any small rips or holes in the screens that cover your windows. You can repair window screens by purchasing small patches that cover up any holes.
A Dry Foundation Is Required
The foundation walls around your house act as a barrier between the outside world and your inner dwelling. Keeping bugs away from the foundation walls that hold up your home will help prevent any pests from trying to move inside. By taking gravel and creating a buffer that is about a foot wide around your home, it will help keep bugs from getting too close. Most of these small little pests enjoy snuggling up inside moist, wet environments. By installing gravel and keeping it dry, you’ll remove the environment that most bugs prefer. While you’re at it, remove any rocks, wood piles or moist leaves from your yard as these items will attract bugs as well.
Spring Cleaning
Pests are often attracted by leftover traces of food that can end up on the floor or between the cushions on your couch. Vacuum your furniture and any floors where food may be present. Also, you may want to consider having your carpets thoroughly cleaned every six months. It’s amazing how quickly dirt, food and other unwanted unmentionables can end up in your carpet. Pantries, trash cans and your refrigerator should also be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis so that pests are not attracted to these areas.
Outside Home Improvement Projects
Many outside projects can also be completed to ensure that pests will stay off of your property. Remove any greens that are in your flower beds as this extra foliage can attract pests. Place wire mesh in any downspouts that you have around your home. This stops bugs or rodents from accessing higher areas that may be more vulnerable. Also, you may want to consider spraying your yard with safe pesticides before any mosquitoes or fleas appear. Why not find out more by contacting a professional to see how this is done?
Follow these home improvement tactics to keep your home safe from invasion. You’ll sleep much more soundly knowing that you won’t hear rodents scurrying around in the middle of the night.