13 DIY Pest Control Tips
Here are 13 do-it-yourself tips for residential pest control as well as commercial pest control.
- Keep all vegetation trimmed at least 1-2 feet from all structures on property. This will take away the ability for rodents and insects to gain direct access to your home from above.
- Keep pet food in a sealed container, and avoid leaving excess food out in dishes or on floors. Pet food is one of the biggest causes for ants and rodents, as they both really like to dine on your pets food!
- Seal any openings, cracks or voids to crawl space vents and foundation, around plumbing, flashing around eaves and chimneys to prevent access routes for all pests.
- Keep attic, crawl space and basement areas dry and well ventilated.
- Store firewood at least 30 feet from your home, and off the ground. Be sure to inspect wood before bringing in to your home.
- Place garbage and recycling in proper containers outside, making sure none is dropped on ground.
- Keep your gutters clean and mold off the roof. Also, replace any moisture damaged wood from your property/structure.
- De-clutter interior and exterior. Most pests prefer the hidden areas this clutter creates, and can go undetected for quite some time.
- Inspect all weather-stripping regularly and replace when necessary.
- Replace window and door screens that have tears, rips or holes. Be sure all windows have a screen.
- Rinse out trash and recycling containers regularly to prevent any “gunk” buildup.
- Keep mulch raked away from foundation. Having at least 8 inches between ground and siding is ideal. If made of wood or composite, the siding will draw moisture from the ground and create a possible pest habitat and/or wood rot.
- Keep bird feed to a minimum. This a favorite food for rodents. Store in a sealed container, not outside.
