Why do I Have Pests if my Home is Clean?
Why do I Have Pests if my Home is Clean?
We all understand that a clean home is the key to keeping your home pest-free. We know the drill of wiping down counters, sweeping, and mopping regularly so that pests aren’t attracted to the home. We are familiar with the fact that trash that is sealed properly and taken out on a regular basis will keep unwanted guests away. It’s almost common knowledge that water sources, such as pet bowls or leaky pipes should be reduced or eliminated to not attract pests. Yet, somehow our homes can still be overtaken by these unwanted guests.
It is inevitable. No matter how spotless we keep our homes, we can never keep the outdoors out 100%. So, what causes pest infestations in clean homes? And what can we do to prevent them? We can break down the problem by identifying certain bugs and why they infiltrate homes.
Ants
Even in newly constructed homes, ants find their way inside. Ants usually invade homes looking for food, water, or shelter. If you have an invasion of ants, it does not necessarily mean that your home is strewn with food. If the ants live outside and still find a way in to forage your home, seal or caulk cracks and small holes in your home’s structure. Clean entry points and sprays with insecticides. If the ants have nested in your home, ant baits can help. If the problem is too large to handle, consult a pest control company.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches usually rear their ugly heads when there is a food source; however, that is not always the case. Cockroaches may also be looking for shelter and a place to nest. Managing cockroaches is not easy. If they have access to food, baits will not be very effective. Implement exclusion tactics by sealing cracks and small holes in the home’s structure. Check for faulty windows or doors. The best way to dealing with cockroaches is by contacting your pest control company. Your exterminator will likely recommend insecticides to solve the problem; nevertheless, insecticides along with sanitation and exclusion strategies will help eradicate cockroaches.
Spiders
Spiders are also looking for shelter in your home. Or, they may come indoors hunting for their prey. They build their webs up in the hardest to reach corners of your home. Spiders, fortunately, are easier to eliminate than cockroaches. To keep spiders from coming indoors, peppermint spray administered to the perimeter base of the house and windows can help prevent them from coming in. Inside, insecticides sprayed in corners, baseboards, windows and door frames. For larger spider problems, your exterminator might use insecticide dust in attics.
Earwigs
Earwigs will likely enter a home when their living conditions outdoors become inhospitable. An example of this is when the temperature drops dramatically earwigs will enter a home seeking warmth. They also love moisture. Like ants, spiders, and cockroaches, earwigs can be prevented from entering a home by sealing cracks and other openings. Repair leaky pipes as earwigs are attracted to wet or damp areas. Pesticides are not usually recommended for earwigs as they tend to live mostly outdoors. Sweeping or vacuuming the insects or killing them yourself should do the trick. Just make sure to dispose of them so they won’t reinvade.
Silverfish
You can tell if you have a silverfish problem if the pages of your books, your clothing, or dry foods have been eaten. Silverfish can live and develop in warm, damp places such as laundry rooms, basements, or bathrooms. Light infestations can be controlled by physical removal or managing water sources. If there is a more serious infestation, it is best to contact your exterminator. He or she will likely employ insecticide sprays, baits, or insecticide dust.
Pest infestations or invasions can occur in even the cleanest and pristine homes. Immediate action so the problem doesn’t worsen is ideal. If you still have questions, you may always contact your professional pest control company.
We all understand that a clean home is the key to keeping your home pest-free. We know the drill of wiping down counters, sweeping, and mopping regularly so that pests aren’t attracted to the home. We are familiar with the fact that trash that is sealed properly and taken out on a regular basis will keep unwanted guests away. It’s almost common knowledge that water sources, such as pet bowls or leaky pipes should be reduced or eliminated to not attract pests. Yet, somehow our homes can still be overtaken by these unwanted guests.
It is inevitable. No matter how spotless we keep our homes, we can never keep the outdoors out 100%. So, what causes pest infestations in clean homes? And what can we do to prevent them? We can break down the problem by identifying certain bugs and why they infiltrate homes.
Ants
Even in newly constructed homes, ants find their way inside. Ants usually invade homes looking for food, water, or shelter. If you have an invasion of ants, it does not necessarily mean that your home is strewn with food. If the ants live outside and still find a way in to forage your home, seal or caulk cracks and small holes in your home’s structure. Clean entry points and sprays with insecticides. If the ants have nested in your home, ant baits can help. If the problem is too large to handle, consult a pest control company.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches usually rear their ugly heads when there is a food source; however, that is not always the case. Cockroaches may also be looking for shelter and a place to nest. Managing cockroaches is not easy. If they have access to food, baits will not be very effective. Implement exclusion tactics by sealing cracks and small holes in the home’s structure. Check for faulty windows or doors. The best way to dealing with cockroaches is by contacting your pest control company. Your exterminator will likely recommend insecticides to solve the problem; nevertheless, insecticides along with sanitation and exclusion strategies will help eradicate cockroaches.
Spiders
Spiders are also looking for shelter in your home. Or, they may come indoors hunting for their prey. They build their webs up in the hardest to reach corners of your home. Spiders, fortunately, are easier to eliminate than cockroaches. To keep spiders from coming indoors, peppermint spray administered to the perimeter base of the house and windows can help prevent them from coming in. Inside, insecticides sprayed in corners, baseboards, windows and door frames. For larger spider problems, your exterminator might use insecticide dust in attics.
Earwigs
Earwigs will likely enter a home when their living conditions outdoors become inhospitable. An example of this is when the temperature drops dramatically earwigs will enter a home seeking warmth. They also love moisture. Like ants, spiders, and cockroaches, earwigs can be prevented from entering a home by sealing cracks and other openings. Repair leaky pipes as earwigs are attracted to wet or damp areas. Pesticides are not usually recommended for earwigs as they tend to live mostly outdoors. Sweeping or vacuuming the insects or killing them yourself should do the trick. Just make sure to dispose of them so they won’t reinvade.
Silverfish
You can tell if you have a silverfish problem if the pages of your books, your clothing, or dry foods have been eaten. Silverfish can live and develop in warm, damp places such as laundry rooms, basements, or bathrooms. Light infestations can be controlled by physical removal or managing water sources. If there is a more serious infestation, it is best to contact your exterminator. He or she will likely employ insecticide sprays, baits, or insecticide dust.
Pest infestations or invasions can occur in even the most clean and pristine homes. Immediate action so the problem doesn’t worsen is ideal. If you still have questions, you may always contact your professional pest control company.
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