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Pest Prevention – How to Prevent Pests From Entering Your Home

Pest prevention means preventing or controlling pests before they cause damage to the environment, structures, or people. It is usually accomplished through monitoring and a combination of Pest Control Oak Ridge TN methods that reduce the pest population to an acceptable level.

Clean up wood piles and other clutter that might give rodents, spiders or birds a highway to your home. Trim back bushes and shrubs that touch the structure of your house.

Keep Your Home Clean

pest control

Pest infestations typically begin in dirty areas. Keeping your home scrupulously clean will reduce the number of hiding places for pests. Keep counters, shelves and drawers free of crumbs and other foods. Dispose of trash regularly. Store unused food in sealed containers. Do not leave ripe fruits and vegetables in your kitchen as they will attract fruit flies. Keep the kitchen floor and other areas clear of discarded paper and cardboard. Vacuum on a regular basis. Use dehumidifiers in damp rooms.

Cleaning and sanitizing garbage bins will also help prevent pests from breeding inside your house. If you have wood piles outside your property, store them away from your house as these can attract termites. If you have trees or bushes that touch your house, trim them to reduce the chance of rodents using them as a highway to get into your home.

Performing regular exterior inspections for cracks, crevices and gaps that can allow entry of pests is another important element in pest prevention. Adding weather stripping to doors and windows will improve the seal and make it more difficult for insects and rodents to enter. Sealing any openings as soon as they are discovered is a good way to avoid costly repairs and extermination services in the future.

Many pests are attracted to dirty environments, so removing sources of dirt and debris in the landscaping around your home or office will help prevent them from coming indoors. This includes trimming overgrown bushes and trees, cleaning up yard debris and storing firewood away from your house. If you have plants that produce flowers or produce fragrances such as roses and marigolds, consider replacing them with species that are naturally insect repellent.

Most pests need a source of water, food and shelter to breed and thrive, so reducing the availability of these will deter them. This will require different methods of pest control for each type of pest. Rodents, for instance, require traps and baits, while cockroaches and ants are best controlled by using sprays or gels. Other types of pests, such as bed bugs, may require a combination of treatments.

Seal Off Entry Points

It is very important to reduce the ability of pests to enter homes or commercial buildings. While many people focus on keeping food and water away from pests, a more effective way to prevent infestation is to seal off potential entry points. These can be small cracks and crevices or large holes that animals may use to get inside.

In order to effectively block off access, a thorough inspection of the property needs to be performed. These inspections should be done both inside and outside. The goal of these inspections is to find the ways that pests are entering and leaving the home or building. This includes things like piles of leaves providing shelter, the crumbs left on kitchen counters, or the leaking pipes that allow rodents into a home or apartment building.

Once these entry points are found, it is crucial to repair them. There are a variety of materials that can be used to seal off these entries. Caulking is a great option for smaller cracks and crevices, while metal sheeting is effective for larger holes in the foundation, attic, or roof.

Another option is to use lath screens. These are especially useful for covering vents, chimneys, and other openings that are often used by pests to gain access to a building. These screens are also designed to be durable and weather resistant.

Some of these options can be difficult to install on your own, but a pest control company can be helpful. Pests, such as spiders and ants, can easily crawl through these gaps and cracks, which makes it essential to fix them. The same goes for holes in walls, attics and soffits. When these are left unattended, they can allow mice to damage insulation and electrical wires or keep you up all night with their gnawing.

A combination of prevention and suppression strategies is often the best approach to pest control. This will include cleaning practices that do not invite pests to a building, sealing off possible entrance points, and removing sources of food or water from the property.

Eliminate Sources of Water

Pests such as rodents, flies and mosquitoes can carry harmful diseases that can make people sick. They also can damage food and building materials. To protect your family and staff, it’s important to eliminate these pests from your home.

Traditional pest control begins when a homeowner or business owner notices an infestation of pests. Then, they contact a pest control company. The pest control team then springs into action with a plan to eradicate the pests and keep them away from the building.

Preventive measures include sanitation and exclusion. Sanitation involves storing food in sealed containers and keeping garbage away from buildings. Exclusion includes making sure that doors and windows are closed, as well as sealing off entry points. Preventive measures also include removing standing water. Water attracts pests, so getting rid of any sources of water can help keep them away.

When a pest infestation occurs, it is important to identify the pest and determine its life cycle. This will allow you to understand how the pest invaded your property and what steps are needed to prevent future invasions. It will also help you decide when to begin controlling the pest. Pest identification is usually done by trapping or scouting.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that reduces the need for chemical pesticides. It starts with a regular monitoring program that collects information about the number of pests and their activity. This information is used to determine the appropriate time to apply a pesticide. This helps to avoid overuse of pesticides, which can cause environmental problems.

IPM programs also include practices to prevent resistance to pesticides. These may include using resistant varieties of crops or using trap crops to lure pests away from the primary crop. These strategies can also reduce the amount of chemicals that reach and contaminate water.

Biological pest controls are a type of IPM that uses living organisms to kill pests. Examples of biological pest controls include predatory insects such as lacewings that feed on aphids and dragonflies that devour mosquito larvae. These organisms are safer than pesticides, which contain toxic substances that can be harmful to humans and other animals.

Keep Pests Out of Your Home

New homeowners must take many precautions to prevent pest infestation. Unlike pest control, which focuses on killing insects and rodents once they’ve found their way into the house, prevention strategies focus on keeping them out altogether.

Creating barriers for entry into the home is one of the best ways to keep pests from finding their way in. Sealing cracks in walls, gaps around windows and doors, and repairing screens is an important first step. Using a caulking spray, weather stripping or hardware cloth is an effective solution for smaller cracks and crevices. Adding fly screens to your windows is an inexpensive solution that can also help deter pests.

Eliminating food sources and water is another effective method of pest prevention. Keeping all food in airtight containers, and not leaving food out on countertops or tables is crucial. Regularly cleaning counters and floors will reduce the amount of crumbs that attract pests. Taking out the trash on a regular basis is another essential practice. Make sure the bins are placed away from the house, and not too close to the curb for easy access by rodents.

In addition, removing all debris from your property, especially piles of wood, is an important step to prevent termites, beetles, ants and other pests from making their way into the house. Similarly, repairing any leaky pipes is an important step to prevent mold and mildew from growing inside your home.

Maintaining a neatly landscaped yard will help prevent pests from infesting the home. Removing weeds, overgrown grass and dead leaves will eliminate hiding places for pests. Putting in trees and shrubs that provide nesting spots for birds and bats will encourage natural pest predators, which in turn will keep the numbers of other pests down. Lastly, using plants that produce odors that repel pests, such as rosemary and mint, is an effective way to keep bugs and other insects away from the house. If you’re having trouble getting rid of a pest infestation, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. These simple preventative steps will ensure that pests stay where they belong – outside!

Home Cleaning Checklist & Tips

A cleaning checklist is a must for all professional house cleaners. It breaks down the massive task of cleaning a home into manageable chunks, and helps you stay on track with your work.

Start by dusting each room, working from top to bottom. Don’t forget to wipe down baseboards and wall art.

Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most germ-laden places in your home. That’s why it is important to keep up with daily cleaning tasks in this room. By completing these tasks regularly, you can reduce bacteria and keep your family healthy.

Clean and sanitize the bathtub, shower, and walls. Make sure to use a mild disinfectant that is safe for surfaces in your bathroom. Keep a spray bottle of white vinegar and a sponge by the tub so you can wipe down surfaces after each shower. Also, don’t forget to hang towels and washcloths up as soon as you are done with them instead of leaving them on the floor.

Lastly, be sure to keep a cleaner with you for quick cleaning of surfaces like mirrors and windows. This will help you quickly remove dust, smudges, and fingerprints when they happen.

If you are using this checklist to maintain your current home, it is a good idea to complete the daily and weekly items on alternating days. This will allow you to give each area a little more love on the days you’re focusing on cleaning that space. Also, by keeping a dedicated cleaning schedule for each area of your house, you will reduce the amount of time it takes to complete all the regular cleaning tasks. If you are looking for a full-service professional cleaning company, enter your zip code below to be matched with top-rated pros in your area.

Kitchen

From greasy stove tops to dirty cabinets, your kitchen gets plenty of grime from regular use. A weekly cleaning session keeps these messes under control. The goal is to wipe down surfaces and sanitize frequently used utensils, appliances, and dishes.

It’s also a good time to sort through the pantry and refrigerator, throwing out any expired items and moving things that are overripe into the freezer to prevent spoiling. Keeping your food storage neat and organized can cut down on the amount of waste you throw away each week.

Start by wiping down all surfaces including counters, backsplashes, and cabinets. Make sure to remove any crumbs or dust bunnies from high-traffic areas like light fixtures, slatted blinds, and picture frames. Next, sanitize refrigerator shelves and drawers by running them through the dishwasher or using a spray + wipe solution. Don’t forget to wipe down the freezer door and walls and check your inventory list.

A monthly deep clean is a great opportunity to tackle more laborious tasks, like scrubbing a sink or defrosting the freezer. It’s also a good time to examine upholstered furniture for stains and re-clean or replace as needed. These routine maintenance items are often overlooked and can shorten the life of your favorite pieces. If you’re tired of spending hours on home cleaning tasks, consider hiring a professional. Search local cleaners to find the best deal for your budget.

Living Room

As the main gathering space for your family, the living room will likely experience the most daily messes. From kids playing with toys to adults relaxing on the sofa, it can quickly turn into a disaster area if you’re not careful. But with a few simple cleaning habits, you can keep your living room in good shape.

To make your daily cleaning routine more efficient, start by focusing on the high-traffic areas first. This includes dusting the ceilings and walls, vacuuming carpet and sweeping hard floors, and cleaning windows both inside and out. Once you’ve taken care of the major messes, then move on to the lower-traffic areas like the couches and chairs. Lastly, don’t forget to wash your cushion and throw pillow covers (if they are removable) and wipe down the TV and remote controls with a disinfecting wipe.

It’s also a good idea to clean your living room one section at a time, rather than trying to tackle the entire room at once. This will minimize the amount of dirt and grime that builds up and makes it harder to clean in the future. By keeping the room in good shape, you can enjoy a more comfortable and inviting home. Plus, a clean living room will help reduce stress and increase your productivity. Ready to get started? Grab our free printable cleaning checklist and get to work.

Bedroom

Bedrooms tend to get overlooked when it comes to cleaning and tidying. While busy parents are quick to race around the family room, picking up toys and putting away laundry, the bedrooms often fall by the wayside. This is a shame, because clean rooms help foster healthy sleep and promote wellbeing. Luckily, with this bedroom house cleaning checklist you can make tidying your room a regular habit.

This bedroom cleaning checklist focuses on the little tasks that need to be done on a daily basis (or every other day) to keep things tidy and combat clutter. This includes removing trash and sweeping the floor. It also includes reorganizing clothing and linens and making the bed. It even includes tackling those pesky dusty areas that are so easy to overlook.

Tip: It’s a good idea to line your trash bin with a reusable garbage liner and keep extra liners on hand so you can “reset” your wastebasket if needed throughout the week.

Dusting is another simple but important task that should be done weekly in the bedroom. This helps keep the air in your room clean and reduces allergens like mold and dust mites. Make sure to dust picture frames, mirrors, and other decorative accents. Vacuum up dust and debris under furniture cushions and use a crevice tool to get into corners and other tight spaces. Finish up with a sweep and mop and you’ll have a spotless and cozy bedroom!

Dining Room

The dining area is a place for big family gatherings, and it should be cleaned regularly to ensure food isn’t served on dirty surfaces. If you have upholstered furniture, be sure to clean it regularly to keep it free of stains, which can be difficult to remove.

For daily and weekly cleaning, use a natural, non-toxic cleaner that kills germs to wipe down tables, chairs, and any other surfaces in the dining room. This should be done soon after each meal, or at the end of the day to avoid the spread of germs.

In addition to wiping down all furniture, be sure to dust picture frames, knick-knacks, lamps, window sills, and other decorations. This will help to improve air quality and lower allergens in the dining area. It’s also a good idea to wipe down light fixtures, slatted blinds, and ceiling fans as part of this cleaning routine.

With a little effort, keeping the dining room tidy is easy. Having a schedule in place will save time and energy, and you’ll enjoy a clean space to spend time with your family. If you don’t feel comfortable doing all these tasks on your own, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to tackle the task for you. Enter your zip code to get quotes from top-rated pros in your area! Cleaning services are available in both residential and commercial properties.

Playroom

Kids bring excitement and joy to our homes, but they also create a lot of mess. It’s easy to see how a playroom can quickly become overwhelming with toys, equipment and clutter. It can take days to clean the room and only seconds for it to become messy again.

It’s a good idea to teach your children to put away their toys before taking out another. It’s even better if they can only pick up two or three items at a time. This will make it a lot easier for you to keep the playroom tidy. It may not work perfectly all the time, but it will help reduce the amount of time it takes to clean the room.

Cleaning a playroom is a time-consuming job that can be hard to get everyone involved in. However, it’s possible to cut down on the cleanup time and the level of overwhelm by implementing some simple hacks. Some of these tips include timing your cleaning, limiting the number of toys taken out at one time, making it a game, decluttering and setting up an organization system.

Whether you decide to tackle our monthly cleaning checklist all at once or work room by room, there’s no denying that having a plan is important. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your home is a healthy and safe space for your family.