Spring brings many things to the table – warm weather, more daylight, and, unfortunately, pests. If you’re experiencing a pest problem, you’re not alone.
Eighty-four percent of homeowners have experienced a pest control problem in the last twelve months, so you’re in good company.
If your pest problem is immediate, you might want to try some things yourself before calling the professionals. Keep reading to learn five effective DIY pest control tips.
1. Clean Your Home
This may seem obvious, but the first step for home pest control is to keep your home clean. Your kitchen, in particular, needs a lot of attention.
Keep dirty dishes out of the sink, wipe down surfaces and counters daily, and clean out your sink of any food scraps or dirty dishwater.
You should also seal food and drinks in glass or plastic containers, out of reach of any pests like mice that might be hungry. Sweep and vacuum regularly, and use garbage cans with lids that lock.
2. Maintain Your Yard
Your yard may be drawing in more pests than you think. Cut your grass regularly, make sure your grass is short, and get rid of any weeds. Eliminate piles of leaves, debris, brush, and tree branches.
If you have woodpiles, keep them off the ground and off the side of your house. Pests like termites are drawn to these first, which leads them right into your home. Additionally, consider consulting with professionals for regular inspections and treatments. Companies specializing in pest control in Fair Oaks offer tailored solutions that address the specific needs of your home, ensuring a comprehensive defense against a wide range of pests. Their expertise can identify potential vulnerabilities in your home’s defense against pests, offering peace of mind and keeping your living space safe and comfortable.
3. Dry It Off
According to Self Control, a provider of DIY pest control, many pests are attracted to moisture, so basements, attics, and crawlspaces are ideal places for pests to migrate to.
If your home is well-ventilated and dry, there will be much less of a chance for this to happen. Try implementing dehumidifiers in places that naturally have moisture to eliminate pests in that area.
4. Do Your Laundry
When you think of DIY pest control, you probably don’t think of doing laundry. However, if you’re dealing with bed bugs or moths, a fast and effective clothes moth spray can do the trick, as cleaning linens is essential. This is also true for dust mites and fleas, as these pests seek linens for shelter.
Clean any sheets, pillows, blankets, clothes, and towels that you regularly come in contact with. If you have pets, cleaning their bedding is also important, especially for the prevention or removal of fleas.
5. Use Plants
Some plants naturally repel pests, so if you have a certain pest problem, putting these plants around your home could solve it. This is an excellent DIY pest control method that requires no chemicals.
Look for these plants when doing pest control:
- Catnip: repels cockroaches and ants
- Spearmint: repels ants, beetles, fleas, moths, and rodents
- Rosemary: repels beetles, cockroaches, flies, snails, and mosquitoes
- Basil: repels mosquitoes, beetles, and flies
- Lavender: repels fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and moths
- Chrysanthemum: repels ants, bed bugs, beetles, cockroaches, ticks, and fleas
DIY Pest Control
These DIY pest control tips can help you get your home under control. Try these first, and you just might be able to handle the problem yourself. However, if you continue to have pest problems, it’s best to call the professionals before it gets too out of hand and costs you too much money.
