Pest prevention is one of those things that gets pushed to the side for many homeowners. There is so much work involved with maintaining a house that it’s easy to disregard this particular threat until it’s already on the doorstep. Yet, an ‘only when it happens to me’ attitude is not an effective way to protect a property and keep it pest free. You need a proactive, practical approach, because prevention is always cheaper than the cure.
Take termites as an example. These wood greedy creatures feast on the structural components of homes and greatly compromise their strength and safety. They can cause utter devastation for the people who live there and even lead to the complete loss of a property. Even so, it is common for homeowners not to notice the signs of termites in Melbourne properties until it is too late. They don’t know the signs, so they can’t spot them when they appear.
This guide to keeping your home pest free will give you all the information and advice you need to beat the critters.
Dispose of Waste Correctly
One of the most common causes of rodent invasions is discarded food. If you leave trash bags or open food cartons in the garden – and not in a container with a proper lid – mice and rats will be attracted to the smell. To prevent this from happening, avoid leaving rubbish bags out in the open and never dump food scraps in the garden. Also, don’t put things that will rot quickly and cause a nasty smell on your compost heap (meat and poultry, for example).
Keep a Neat and Tidy Garden
The termite is an expert at finding resources in the things that you’ve thrown out. These insects can squeeze through spaces no wider than a coin, which means that cracks in the foundation must be fully sealed. Litter, clutter, and rubbish will attract termites, because they can use it for food and protection. This is why you need to keep your garden tidy and free of debris and clutter. Make sure that no obstructions are allowed to accumulate around the foundation.
Inspect Second Hand Items
Unfortunately, it is perfectly possible to introduce pests into your home via second hand furniture. If a coffee table, dresser drawer, or bed frame is infected with bugs, they’ll most likely be transferred to your property. While there is no guaranteed way to know whether a piece of furniture has pests inside it (all it takes is one bug), buying from trustworthy sellers and inspecting the piece thoroughly before purchase is usually enough.
Clean the House Regularly
The single best way to keep pests out of your home is to clean it thoroughly and regularly. This is the easiest way of eliminating mess, clutter, dirt, and grime; all things that bugs and rodents are attracted to. It is not the case that all pests live in dirty homes (bed bugs and fleas don’t discriminate), a clean and tidy house gives you a better chance of spotting them early.
Get the House Inspected
For a sure fire way to prevent infestation, get the property inspected twice every year. There are lots of pest control services out there that can help you identify, tackle, and treat a wide range of domestic pests. On the other hand, if you invest in regular check-ups, you are unlikely to ever get to this point, because the house will be thoroughly scrutinized. As pest services are more affordable now than ever before, there is no excuse not to be fully protected.
