Pest infestations aren’t 100% preventable, but there are some ways to make your home as unattractive as possible to unwanted visitors – whether it be mice or flies.
Experience shows that pests are attracted to certain environments that you might not be aware of. Here, we take a look at what they are and what you need to do to avoid creating them in your home.
1) Moisture – like us, pests need to drink water. If you have a leaking radiator or shower head, then you might find these water traps attracting wasps and other insects. Dampness in the woodwork can also be very attractive to destructive pests such as termites.
How to prevent them? Basic DIY to stop the leaks will go a long way in cutting off water supplies to pests.
2) Food – from dishes left in the sink to food spilled on the floor, a free source of food is heaven for bugs and pests of all kinds, including larger ones such as mice.
How to prevent them? Make sure to sweep up spilled food straight away and clean any dishes with food left on them. Avoid leaving overnight if possible.
3) Warmth – when the temperature drops, pests look for a warm environment to hole up in for the winter, preferably with a food source. Beetles and woodlice are especially keen to come inside during the colder months.
How to prevent them? Consider an insect repellent for the warmer spots in your home such as inside airing cupboards and behind radiators.
4) Gaps – most pests are opportunistic and if they find a crack or gap in your door or window frame will wriggle inside. Some can cause a lot of damage, such as termites, while others just use the spot to breed.
How to prevent them? Reseal around doors and windows and use wood filler to prevent any unwanted pests making their home in your woodwork.
5) Rubbish – bags of rubbish left inside or even just outside the backdoor are the perfect breeding ground for bugs. With lots of organic material to eat, infestations can quickly occur.
How to prevent them? Remove rubbish bags as soon as they are full and place in a secure, lidded outside dustbin.
Loughton Pest Control deal with all manner of pest infestations. We can quickly and effectively inspect your property to determine and identify the nature of your pest problem. We’ll then choose the best treatment method available to eliminate the problem as quickly as possible. Book an appointment with us today.
