Passive Pest Control? Simple Steps Homeowners Can Take To Deter Common Pests

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Keeping My House Cleaner

After experiencing a wretched spider infestation, my pest control professional told me something that I would never forget. In the nicest possible way, she told me that my house was too messy to keep bugs out in the first place. She explained that when people leave food around, it attracts small pests like ants and cockroaches, which then attract larger predators like spiders and mice. I decided to clean up my place so that I wouldn't have to worry about creepy crawlies calling my place home. On my blog, you will learn more about pest control and the importance of house cleaning, so that you don't make the same mistake I did.

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Passive Pest Control? Simple Steps Homeowners Can Take To Deter Common Pests

27 August 2018
 Categories: , Blog


Whether they take the form of roaches, ants, mice, flies, fleas, or any other rodent or insect, their presence in your home can range from a minor annoyance to a much more serious concern about the health and safety of your family members.

In too many cases, however, by the time the homeowner actually sees signs of a rodent or insect problem, the numbers may already have swelled to the level of a serious infestation that can only be managed by a serious eradication effort.  This is why it makes sense to take some simple steps to reduce the threat of a pest infestation before one can develop. If you would like to make your home more comfortable for your family and a lot less inviting to rodents and insects, do these four things now. 

Restrict easy options for entry

The first thing to remember when attempting to ward off pests is that keeping them out of your home is preferable to removing an entrenched infestation. Any plan to do this must start with a careful examination of the home for any points where insects or rodents can freely enter and exit the home. Some of these points include: 

  • ripped, damaged, or missing window screens
  • unsealed crevices around doors and windows
  • gaps at the thresholds of exterior doors
  • openings around pipes, wires, and vents that extend through roofing, walls, or floors of the home
  • openings into crawlspaces that are not protected by screens or doors
  • vents or holes into the attic of the home

Taking steps to improve these areas by sealing or covering them will help to limit their use by unwanted pests. 

Limit access to food and water

Those who study the behaviors of common household pests understand that they are most attracted to locations where they can find the basic things they need to survive and thrive. Food, water, and a safe shelter from the elements are the most critical needs for pests. Homeowners who take precautions to make sure that insects and rodents cannot easily find food and water in their home are helping decrease the risk that insects and rodents will decide to seek shelter in the home.  

Suggestions homeowners can use to limit pests from accessing food and water in their home include:

  • storing dry goods and packaged foods in glass, metal, or thick plastic containers with tightly sealing lids
  • wiping down kitchen appliances and counters after each meal to remove spills and crumbs
  • taking the trash to the outside cans or cart each day
  • loading dirty dishes into the dishwasher after every meal instead of leaving them in the sink

In addition to removing potential sources of food for pests, homeowners will also want to eliminate potential sources of water by repairing leaky faucets in sinks and bathtubs. 

Change problematic behaviors 

Another good way to reduce your risk of a home pest infestation is to try to change any family behaviors that may be inviting to pests. These include allowing unprotected doors or windows to remain open when not in use and snacking or keeping food items in bedrooms or living areas of the home. 

Determine if a problem already exists

As you begin taking actions designed to make your home less inviting to insects and rodents, you may find that you already have an infestation issue or signs that one is forming. In either case, it makes sense to include a thorough pest inspection in your plan to rid your home of pests.

To do this, begin by selecting a pest control company like Jones Bros Capitol City Pest to work with you. These professionals can examine your entire home, including the exterior, outbuildings, and lawn, for signs of pest activity and then recommend the best treatment plan to rid your home of established pests and repel any future activity.