4 Ways To Help Keep Pests Outside

A critical part of preventing pest infestations is finding vulnerabilities in your home, where pests are likely to enter. There are ways you can prevent pests from gaining entry into your home and lower the chances of infestation.

Have Your Roof Checked

Small openings in your roof create access points for pests, and easily go unnoticed. In addition to small insects that can fit through small cracks in the roof, rodents and other small mammals will take advantage of holes in your roof, especially in the winter. One such pest is roof rats, and depending on your location, you may not know there is a problem with roof rats until they have invaded your home.

Have a roofing contractor regularly examine your roof for any signs of weak spots. The contractor can give you an indication if there may be signs of an infestation from small or larger pests. With regular roof evaluations, you can have small areas fixed before they require extensive repairs, or before an infestation occurs.

Garden Smartly

If you want to plant a garden that contains fruits or vegetables, you should avoid planting these items around the perimeter of your home. Unfortunately, edible plants can turn into an open invitation for pests to be near your home. Pests are more likely to nest in areas where there is a good food and water source, which makes gardens an ideal location.

Whether your garden is located around the perimeter of your home or further away inside the yard, you may want to consider natural plants that can help keep pests out of your garden and potentially keep them off the property. Use several types of plants that can ward off various pests, and plant them throughout your garden and around your home. As an added bonus, many plants that act as natural pest control are easy to maintain and can be harvested for your personal use.

Keep Hiding Areas Clean

Basements, attics and garages are ideal hiding places for pests, and reducing clutter in these areas can make it easier for you to notice a pest problem and prevent the problem from spreading to the main living areas. One reason these areas of your home are vulnerable to pest infestations is they are often quiet and may have clutter that provides an undisturbed nesting environment for pests.

If your basement or attic is not in use, you should check regularly for any signs of pests. Another benefit to checking these areas is that you may notice small leaks, high humidity or other problems that can affect your home. Typically, mold growth is an obvious sign there are problems with humidity or a leak, and moisture is attractive to most pests. Using your garage as a storage area can lure pests. If you need storage for items that are rarely used, move the items to a shed on your property or consider paying the monthly cost for a small storage unit. The fewer items you have in your garage, the fewer hiding places for pests.

Be A Responsible Pet Owner

Another way pests can enter your home is if you have a pet that is an indoor and outdoor pet. Having your pet routinely treated for common infestations, such as fleas and ticks, is one way to keep your pet healthy and to avoid infestations inside your home. Fleas and ticks are not only a problem for animals, but they can quickly become a problem for your entire household. Even if your pet has regular flea and tick treatments, make sure you thoroughly check your pet before they come inside to minimize the amount of pests that come inside aboard your pet.

There are ways you can minimize the number of pests that make their way inside your home by reducing common entrance points. Creating barricades to prevent entry can be one of the last lines of defense to prevent an infestation inside your home.

Check out sites like http://www.heritagepestcontrolma.com/ for more information.

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