When it comes to pest control in Northeast Pennsylvania, no solution is more effective than preventative pest control.
That’s why our residential pest control plans focus so much on inspection, prevention, and active defense against several common types of insects, including termites, cockroaches, and more.
While the occasional ant may be easy to repel with a small mist of Raid, pests like bed bugs can be nearly impossible to eliminate on your own.
This doesn’t mean residents are powerless against pests. Even if you don’t invest in a preventative pest control program, you can still practice many housekeeping procedures that will help keep your home pest-free.
What is Preventative Pest Control?
Preventative pest control is the active process of preventing pests in your home or property by depriving them of food, shelter, and water.
If these essential ingredients, along with a few other specific attractants, can be controlled and deprived, pests will have seemingly no reason to visit your house at all.
However, preventative pest control is more than sealing food sources or eliminating standing water. Many pests, such as termites and bed bugs, often cannot be prevented by sheer DIY measures.
That’s why pest control programs rely heavily on a mixture of biological, chemical, and natural controls to provide full 360-degree defense against many common and dangerous pests.
Why Is Preventative Pest Control Important
The latest census data tells us that around 14 million households have spotted roaches and rodents in their home.
Unfortunately, if the sight of roaches and rodents isn’t enough to scare you, they also harbor many dangerous diseases, which could lead to illness and respiratory issues.
Likewise, wood-destroying organisms, such as termites, carpenter ants, and wood-burrowing beetles, can damage wooden furniture and the framing of your home if left unchecked.
Therefore, preventative pest control is essential because it protects you and your home.
If you need further incentive, preventative pest control is also much cheaper than exterminating pests using over-the-counter products or a local contractor.
13 Preventative Pest Control Tips
If you notice an uptick in pests, it’s a good idea to practice these preventative pest control tips.
1. Perform Routine Inspections
While you could perform an inspection on your own, we highly recommend hiring a professional. Your local exterminator will be able to search for pests in places you ordinarily wouldn’t look or know where to look.
By identifying a pest infestation early, you can save significant money by avoiding expensive treatments that require multiple rounds of spraying and follow-up.
We recommend performing a pest inspection at least once every season, though our plans include routine pest inspections more frequently at no extra cost.
2. Seal up Cracks
Weather and time can be cruel, especially to your property. The longer your home sits, the more wear and tear it will suffer. With that aging comes cracks, holes, and little opportunities for pests to invade.
Invaders like mice, cockroaches, and other creatures don’t need much space to slip into your home. Sometimes, a crack in the window or doorway is all it takes. To avoid surprise house guests, do routine checks around your home’s exterior and seal up any cracks.
Use weatherstripping around doors and windows, caulk around pencil-wide cracks, and spray foam around larger openings.
3. Keep Your Home Clean
An easy way to prevent pests monthly is to keep your home clean. The inside should be cleaned from floor to ceiling. Pests often search for a warm place to nest that offers plenty of food and nesting. If cleaning falls by the wayside, you are handing critters an open invitation.
Keep your home tidy, especially in rooms like the kitchen and dining room. Any food left unattended, whether it’s a splash from a boiling pot or a leftover pizza box, can serve as lunch to unwanted creatures. Without a source of food or ample living space, pests will look elsewhere.
4. Trimming the Verge
Most pests are drawn to overgrown areas. The damp and lush overgrowth provides a wonderful hiding place, and if it’s close to a food source, they may not ever want to leave. This can prove to be dangerous, especially with parasites like fleas or ticks. To avoid any blood-thirsty hitchhikers, regular yard maintenance is key.
5. Clear Yard Waste
Once you’ve cleared out your yard, it’s best to eliminate any piles lying around. Like with overgrowth, yard waste is an enticing place for pests; it provides shelter and nesting material. Even firewood can be an issue if kept too close to the house. Disposing of yard waste and keeping it distant from your home is just one easy step to avoid an infestation.
6. Keep Garbage Closed
Garbage is not just a monthly problem – it occurs daily. As our waste piles up, it needs to go somewhere, and it often lands in a garbage can inside, a canister outside, or one big dumpster.
The longer garbage sits, the higher a chance for pests. Invaders like mice and rats look for a source of food when they want to nest. Open garbage is like an invitation. Empty your garbage regularly and see that it is properly disposed of. Check your cans, lids, and bags and keep pests out.
7. Store your food
Like garbage, food storage is crucial for keeping pests away. When food is left out or isn’t stored properly, invaders like flies and cockroaches can sneak in for a snack. When left open, pests can contaminate your food, spreading sickness and disease. Keeping your food in airtight containers, including pet food, is a good way to ward off intruders.
8. Gut Your Gutters
A stuffed gutter can be a draw for many outdoor pests. Any gutter with standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a draw to other pests. Checking your gutter routinely will keep it clean, flowing, and pest-free.
9. Seal off Entryways
While cracks and holes are a problem, sometimes necessary vents can be a bigger issue. Open chimneys can be a haven for bats, while a vent can let insects inside. While it’s impossible to cover up every hole, you can shield it with mesh wire.
Though you only need to apply it once, checking these areas is important to maintain that protection.
10. Kitchen Maintenance
Kitchens are a draw to humans and pests alike. It is the main hub where we store our food and prepare our meals. Pests are constantly on the lookout for food. The best way to prevent an invasion is to keep the kitchen tidy.
Unlike the rest of your house, the kitchen is like a beacon. It’s important to deep clean this room at least once a month and maintain cleanliness in between. Keep an eye on appliances, storage, and any surrounding areas to keep your kitchen pest-free.
11. Watch Your Pipes
Pests looking for a new home need three main things: food, shelter, and water. Some creatures like rats and mice follow water to their next destination. To keep any unwanted critters out, you should check your pipes and drainage systems.
A damp basement can be enticing to silverfish and open drains make a good entryway. Try to routinely check your pipes to avoid any mishaps.
12. Look High and Low
While pests can find a cozy spot anywhere in your home, the two areas that pests hide away are often at opposite sides: the attic and the basement. These are areas that either have storage, pipes, or less foot traffic making them ideal hiding spots.
It’s important to check and clean these rooms often to spot any potential infestations.
13. Declutter Your Life
Monthly maintenance is the best course of action to keep away any potential invaders. Whether you need to clean out your yard, basement, or refrigerator, keeping any clutter or build-up to a minimum can help keep pests away.
It’s not enough to do a deep cleaning once a year; staying on top of your daily accumulation can save you from a headache in the end.
Where DIY methods fail, our preventative pest services come in. Whether it’s performing inspections, preventing termites with our Sentricon system, or even defending against bed bugs, The Pest Rangers is your best source for pest control in NEPA.
FAQs
Can I Do Preventative Pest Control Myself?
Yes, many preventative measures can be done by homeowners, such as keeping a clean environment, sealing entry points, and maintaining your yard. However, professional pest control services are more comprehensive and can provide treatments not available to the general public.
How Often Should Preventative Pest Control Be Done?
The frequency depends on various factors, including the type of pests common in your area, the age and condition of your property, and your specific needs. Generally, treatments are recommended quarterly, but some situations may require monthly visits.
Are Preventative Pest Control Methods Safe?
Our pest control products and methods are safe for humans and pets. Most over-the-counter products are, though they need to be handled with caution.