Nobody likes an unwelcome house guest. Rodents, roaches, ants, termites, moths—not only are all these critters and creepy crawlies unpleasant to be around, but these uninvited pests can also pose a threat to your family’s health.
Whether you’re moving into a brand new home or building one from scratch, there are a number of different ways to keep your home pest-free all year round. The best way to maintain a home free of pests is a combination of preparation and being proactive in preventing potential infestations. Making a conscious effort to maintain your home and garden can help to stop pests before they get too comfortable.
Here at Icon Homes, we know how important it is to live in a safe, clean, pest-free Australian home. To help keep your family free from creepy crawlers, here are our best pest control tips to help you enjoy a pest-free home:
Pest Control Tips For Your Home
1. Seal up any potential entryways
House pests are cunning, and when they’re determined to get into your home, any small crack or gap in the wall is an opportunity.
Search the house and exterior carefully to see if you can find any cracks, holes, or gaps. Bear in mind that pests often come through the smallest of gaps, and even if you think an opening is too small, it could be the way a pest makes its way into your home. Potential entry points can be sealed up with caulk, cement, plaster, or any other weather-proof covers.
Be sure to check doors, windows, and your garage door to see if they are closing properly. If your home has a chimney, consider installing a chimney cap.
If your home has wooden doors or door frames, make sure there is a small gap between the wood and any ground soil. If you have wood touching soil, this can allow for pests including termites and bed bugs to crawl up into your home.
2. Maintain the exterior of your home
A great way to keep your home pest-free is to make sure your garden and outdoor areas are maintained. Pests tend to thrive in unkept areas, and an untidy exterior can often provide the pathway for them to move closer and closer to your home.
Objects that touch the exterior of your home can act as a bridge for critters to cross over. Trees, plants, and shrubs that are close to the home should be kept trimmed back so they don’t touch walls, the roof, or guttering. The same applies to outdoor furniture and accessories. Rubbish bins, chairs and sofas, BBQs, and even woodpiles can act as an entry point for unwanted visitors. By leaving a small gap between your home and any potential “pest bridges”, you’re limiting their chance to make it indoors.
3. Remove or maintain stagnant water
Pools, ponds, even bird baths are irresistible for most pests and can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and even termites. Repair any leaky taps, clean gutters, and remove or maintain stagnant water as often as possible to avoid encouraging pests to breed and flourish near your home.
4. Clean your home regularly
They say that a clean home is a happy home, but it’s also a great way to have a pest-free home. Regularly cleaning your home can help you to find and stop infestations before they get too bad, and discourage pests from moving in.
5. Store food in properly sealed containers, high off the ground, and don’t allow any foods to spoil. A rubbish bin with a strong lid and tight seal will not only keep pests at bay but also reduce odour.
6. A pest-free pro-tip is to be wary of bringing second-hand furniture into your home without properly cleaning it. A second-hand chair or a table might look innocent, but could be riddled with termites or other hidden nasties.
7. Your dishwasher might also be a harbour for wayward pests. The warmth moisture and presence of leftover food scraps are a winning combination for household pests. Be sure to check the area around your dishwasher and surrounding cupboards to see if any unwelcome guests have made your home, their home.
Keeping creepy crawlies out of your home can be a challenging task, but with the right maintenance and care, you can help to avoid it. Thankfully, there are plenty of home pest control solutions on the market, so if you do spot an unwelcome house guest or two, you can quickly put a stop to a full-blown infestation.
Here at Icon Homes, we know how important it is to keep the critters out of your new home. Speak with one of our experts today to discover how our homes are designed to keep your home pest-free.
