Nobody likes sharing their house with pests. However, 84% of Americans had pest control issues last year alone.

Unfortunately, we share this world with bugs, rodents, birds, bats, and other critters. It’s only natural that we’re going to cross paths with them and, let’s face it, our homes are much nicer than theirs. Eventually, they’re going to want to come in. 

However, there are positive steps you can take to deter pests from trying to make themselves at home in your house. It’s not completely out of your hands.

So, what is the best way to prevent pest infestation? Keep reading for an in-depth look at everything you need to know! If you are already dealing with pests, click here to consult with the experts about what you can do.

What is the Best Way to Prevent Pest Infestation?

Have you ever heard the expression “it’s easier to keep up than to catch up”?

The same logic applies to pest control. It’s much easier to prevent pests and keep them out of your house than to deal with a full-blown pest infestation after the fact. The key is never giving them a reason to invade your home in the first place.

Pest prevention is simpler than it sounds. All creatures need three things for survival – food, water, and shelter. If you’re providing all three of those things for pests, you might as well hang a “vacancy” sign over your door!

Follow along to see how you can turn that vacancy sign off and persuade pests to move on!

1. Keep Your Home Neat and Clean

First, we should clarify that a pest infestation doesn’t point to poor homeownership or a messy house. However, keeping your home neat and clean will give you a leg up against pests.

Some of us tend to get a bit lazy with our laundry, letting dirty clothes pile up in the laundry room. If you want to avoid getting startled by spiders, roaches, and other bugs, we recommend keeping messes off the floor. 

You’ll also want to regularly vacuum, dust, and clear cobwebs out of the basement and attic especially. Try to clean behind furniture regularly as well, as those cramped dark spaces are ideal homes for pests.

2. Be Mindful About Your Yard and Vegetation

Next, if you want to know what is the best way to prevent pest infestation, start with the exterior of your home. 

Trim back all plantlife that touches the house. This includes tree branches, shrubbery, weeds, or unkempt grass.

You also need to make sure nothing is lying near the house that will hold onto moisture. This includes mulch, woodpiles, plantlife clippings, leaves, etc. If you have a firewood stack, keep it at least 20 feet away from your home.

3. Keep Water Sources Dry

All pests thrive in high moisture areas. Just like us, they need it to survive. For example, think of mosquitos in dry areas versus areas of high humidity.

To keep all pests out of your home, take away any water sources that might be available to them. This includes leaking plumbing, appliances, faucets, etc. This could also include leaks the roof, windows, or doors.

Finally, you may want to install a dehumidifier in your basement or crawlspace, as those places are exceptionally moist and invite a lot of pests. Because they’re on ground-level, they’ll also be the most easily accessible.

4. Keep All Food Sealed Up

If you want to know the best way to prevent pests, consider their food requirements. 

Any food that is not 100% sealed up in your home is an invitation to pests. Closing the flaps on a box of cereals and rolling up a bag of chips isn’t enough. If containers aren’t air sealed, they’re vulnerable. 

We suggest getting a glass or plastic containers for all foods that aren’t in the fridge or freezer. You also need to consider your pet’s food, as dog food bags are a common go-to for rodents.

5. Seal Up All Access Points

Additionally, you need to think about all of the ways pests can get into your home. Obviously, if you’re going to have windows and doors open, you should have screens. 

However, this also includes cracks, holes, gaps, and other openings on the outside of your home.

Use silicone caulk to seal any small openings in the siding, windows, and doors. Make sure the chimney, dryer vent, and other big openings have wire mesh coverings.

6. Use Poison and Traps

We also suggest using bug sprays and rodent traps to nip any potential issues in the bud. 

Start by using a bug killer spray around the entire exterior of your home. Pay special attention to the foundations, windows, and doors. You’ll also want to set up various rodent traps throughout the house. 

Pests multiply like crazy, so even a couple of mice can quickly turn into an infestation within a few months.

7. Know the Signs

You need to educate yourself on the different types of common pests and the signs they leave behind. 

Seeing a pest is an obvious sign, as is seeing their waste. However, do you know what cockroach or termite waste looks like? 

Do you know what signs to look for on the outside of your home? These include termite mud tunnels on the walls, anthills, damaged plants or patches of lawn, etc.

Make sure you keep your eye open and research anything that seems abnormal or out of place!

8. Know When to Call in the Experts

Finally, if you want to know what is the best way to prevent pest infestation, you need to know when to call a spade a spade. If you’ve got pests and need them gone fast, there’s no better option than calling the experts. 

Professionals such as SL Pest Control, who specialise in Pest Control Kingston know exactly how to handle the situation and will do so thoroughly. It’s vital to act as soon as you suspect pests may be present. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get!

Click here to learn more about what pest control services can do for you!

Stay on Top of It

Again, pests are much easier to keep out than to kick out! Therefore, when figuring out what is the best way to prevent pest infestation, remember to take the time to make sure you’re not inviting them in!

And if you’ve already got pests, it may be best to call an exterminator sooner rather than later. 

For more great articles about home and family life, be sure to check out the rest of our blog before you go!