Guide to Pest Control for New Homeowners
Moving into a new home is a journey unto itself. But now that you have arrived, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable and safe in your home—and that means keeping out any uninvited guests, such as pests.
Common Washington Pests
Some of the most common types of pests that can be found in the Gig Harbor area include:
Bed bugs
Carpenter ants
Carpet beetles
Cockroaches
Earwigs
Fleas
Flies
Mice
Odorous house ants
Pavement ants
Rats
Silverfish
Spiders
Termites
Velvety tree ants
Wasps and Hornets
And more!
Why Are Pests Getting Into My Home?
Critters are attracted to your home by three things: food, water, and shelter. Pests are essentially looking for a safe, warm place that has easy access to a food and water source. That means that the most effective way to keep pests out of your home is by restricting their access to these things.
How To Prevent Pest Infestations
Did you know that US homeowners spend about $4.5 billion annually to treat and control pests in their homes? Many of these homeowners could have saved themselves a lot of stress and money if they had been proactive in their measures to prevent infestations. That’s why we are going to go over a few simple and easy pest control measures that can keep bugs, spiders, and rodents out of your home.
Keep It Clean
One of the most important aspects of DIY pest control is keeping your home clean of food particles. Here are some easy habits to get you started:
Wipe counters after use.
Vacuum and sweep often.
Immediately clean up any spills.
Only eat food in designated areas, such as the kitchen.
Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
Make sure food is always stored with a tight-fitting lid.
Keep your trash in a sealed container and make sure to take it out often, as well as your trash can.
Seal Them Out
To keep pests out of your home, it is important to make sure to seal up any cracks or holes in or around your foundation, windows, doors, and vents. These tender areas are easily accessible by pests and easy for them to chew through.
We recommend:
Checking these areas regularly.
Replacing any screens with holes or rips.
Using caulk, weather strips, copper mesh, or expanding foam to seal off the edges to ensure pests can’t get in.
Don't Give Them Water
Many pests are attracted to your home because of easy access to water. Make sure to fix leaky faucets and clean out any pet bowls in a timely manner. Also, make sure the gutter is clean by removing leaves and other debris to prevent water build-up.
Use Plants as Natural Repellents
Certain plants naturally repel pests, such as:
Basil
Eucalyptus
Geraniums
Lavender
Lemongrass
Peppermint
Spearmint
Thyme
And many more!
Plant these around your home to keep pests out of your yard and your home.
Maintain A Tidy Yard
Many pests can be attracted to your property because of your yard or will use the yard to gain entry to your home. Here are a few tips to help keep them out:
Keep your yard clean and tidy and free of debris.
Keep grass short, reducing places for pests to easily hide.
Trim any bushes or hedges that are growing close to the house, as pests can use them to jump onto your roof.
What To Do If You Have Pests In Your Home?
If pests still make it into your home, it’s time to call professional exterminators. With the proper experience, equipment, and training, they are able to identify the pests and create custom treatment plans to eliminate infestations and work with you to prevent future ones.
Your neighborhood expert and top Gig Harbor real estate agent, Paige Schulte, recommends Sound Pest Control.
As a locally owned and operated pest control company with over 30 years of combined experience, Sound Pest offers same-day pest control in Gig Harbor, as well as the surrounding Puget Sound area.
Learn more about them here:
Sound Pest Control
6701 Kitsap Way, Bremerton
www.soundpestcontrol.com
*Guest blog post for https://www.askpaigeschulte.com/blog