How to Pest Proof Your Home: A Step-by-step Guide

Do you know how to pest proof your home? Some people are terrified of bugs, others may be intrigued. Yet, most people can agree that pests don’t belong in the home.

Not only do they produce unsanitary situations, but they’re also just plain bugging, from the buzzing sound of a housefly to the itchy bite of a mosquito. 

Like humans, pests demand shelter, food, and water to survive. By eliminating their food supply and removing their favorite hiding spots, you can reduce the risk of pests taking up residence in your home. 

Of course, the best way to prevent infestation is to eliminate pests. But did you know doing that still requires other steps?

This article will discuss the steps to pest-proof your home and the best bed bug treatment options available.

 

How to Pest Proof Your Home: A Step-by-step Guide

How to pest proof your home, ready to get started? Read on to the next section to learn how you begin pest-proofing your home with easy steps.

 

Steps to Begin Pest-Proofing Your Home

Some of the important steps to take when pest-proofing your home include:

 

Step 1: Take Preventive Measures

First and most importantly, you must take preventative measures to prevent an infestation from occurring. This includes straightforward steps such as: 

• keeping your home clean and tidy
• sealing cracks and gaps in your home’s structure
• and regularly inspecting second-hand items, like furniture and clothing.

 

Step 2: Use a Bed Bug Treatment

If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation, it is crucial to take immediate action to eliminate the pests. There are several bed bug treatment options available, including:

• heat treatment 
• chemicals
• and steam treatment. 

The most effective bed bug treatment depends on the infestation’s severity and your home’s precise needs. For instance, chemical bed bug treatments involve using insecticides to kill bed bugs.

Although these effective treatments can also be toxic to humans and pets if used incorrectly. Heat bug treatment involves using high heat to kill bed bugs and is often used along with chemical treatments.

Steam treatment involves using high-pressure steam to kill bed bugs. It is considered a safe and effective alternative to chemical treatments. 

When selecting a bed bug treatment, you must consider the specific needs of your home and work with a pest control professional with experience dealing with bed bug infestations.

They will be able to suggest the best treatment options for your home. Also, they can guide the steps you can take to prevent future infestations.

 

Step 3: Store Trash 

The trash cans in a home can be a gourmet array of cockroaches and other pests. You’ll obviously not want bugs living and breeding in your trash. Rightful storage and handling are crucial to prevent bugs from eating out of your trash.

Ensure you keep food trash in the kitchen and not in wastebaskets in the house. The trash should be placed in a can with a lid and must be unpacked every night. 

Also, exterior cans should have self-closing lids and tight seals to keep insects out.

 

Step 4: Frequent Inspection

Periodic inspections of your home can help you identify a pest infestation early on before it becomes a major problem. This involves:

• checking your beddings
• mattresses
• and other places where bugs are disguised. 

Also, look for signs of bed bugs, such as tiny red or brown stains on your sheets or mattress and small, round, reddish-brown bugs themselves.

 

Step 5: Maintain Your Yard

Yard upkeep has a big impact on bug infestations, particularly when it comes to fleas and mosquitoes. Mosquitoes require a water supply to breed.

So, eradicating pooled water in your yard is an effective way to reduce the mosquito population. This can not only help you to enjoy better time spent in the yard but will also reduce the number of bugs that are trying to invade your home.

 

Step 6: Encourage Natural Predators

One of the easiest methods for pest-proofing your home is to rely on the insects’ natural predators for help. Tiny insects are the major source of food for an enormous number of birds and bats.

For instance, Songbirds are potent mosquito killers, while bats eat a much larger variety of bugs and pests. This includes: 

• wasps
• flies
• spiders
• mosquitoes and even scorpions.

To leverage this method with your pest control efforts, it is best to provide trees and bushes where they can establish nests.

Also, add a fresh water supply, and change it often so it doesn’t grow stagnant. Furthermore, you may also wish to add a nectar feeder or birdseed to supplement your insect-based diet.

 

Step 7: Seal Your Doors

Just as locked doors keep intruders out, a sealed door can also help keep out unwanted pests. To keep insects from creeping under your door, install an aluminum threshold under the door.

For more protection, combine this method with a door sweep. A door sweep is an inexpensive device found at most hardware stores.

They help to cover the gap between a threshold and the door bottom. Nylon brush sweeps are a better option compared to vinyl or neoprene. The reason is that they guarantee the best protection against bugs.

It is noteworthy that all of these door-sealing techniques won’t help if the door is left open. For instance, consider installing a door closer if you have forgetful kids.

This device closes and latches your door automatically. Furthermore, you can adjust it to control power and closing speed.

Various door closers are available and affordable at your local home improvement store. Additionally, an average homeowner can establish this appliance utilizing only simple tools.

 

Conclusion

As a homeowner, one of your worst nightmares should be a pest infestation. Pests cause damage to your property and they also pose a serious health risk to all occupants.

Some insects may be nothing more than a nuisance. However, the majority of household pests pose more serious threats.

Rodents can carry a range of diseases that they can easily transmit to you or your pets. Many of these diseases can have long-term consequences and, in severe cases, can be fatal.

Pest-proofing your home is important in protecting your property and family from the dangers of pests such as bed bugs.

By taking preventative measures, routinely inspecting your home, vacuuming regularly, washing bedding regularly, and using a bed bug treatment if necessary, you can reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation and keep your home pest-free.

 

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