How to Protect Your Home From Pests

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare to hop into bed after a long day only to realize that there are bugs or other pests in there. But luckily there are plenty of things that you can do to prevent pests from getting into your home in general.

Best of all, you do not have to spend a fortune on an exterminator to get rid of them all. Instead, you can take action to ensure that your home is sealed off from any of those pesky pests and stay protected long-term.

There are several ways that you can easily pest-proof your home so that you never have to jump into bed worrying if there are pests in your sheets, or anywhere else in your house for that matter.

We’ve put together the best pest-prevention tips that you can do yourself with ease.

1. Cut Back on the Plants, Literally

If you have trees, bushes, or other plants outside that touch the exterior of your home, you basically have a bridge for pests that allow them direct access inside. An easy way to cut off access is to literally trim back or cut off the branches that touch the home. Also, if you have gardens, beware of mulch. This is essentially a shelter for pests and attracts more near your home. Replace this with rocks instead.

In general, the fewer pests you have hanging outside will directly impact how many pest issues you are being threatened with inside. So, pay attention to the plants and cut back, literally.

2. Get a Magnetic Bug Screen  

Pests are really skilled at sneaking through the cracks of doors. So another great strategy to get rid of the pests is to replace your doors with a magnetic bug screen. These are designed to seal off any space that would allow for pests to get inside while equally still allowing you to get fresh air into your home. Magnetic bug screens are one of the best forms of protection from pests while still allowing you to enjoy the exterior of your home.

3. Take Out the Trash

Make sure that you do not have a crazy buildup of your trash. This is one of the biggest attractants for pests and will bring all the ants, cockroaches, and rodents near your home. Be mindful of not letting your trash can overflow and make sure that your lid is nice and tight. You should also be strategic about where you place your trash can and make sure it is nowhere near the doors to your home.

4.  Rinse Your Recyclables

Another tip that many people forget to do when it comes to eliminating pests is to wash your recyclables. In fact, the leftover food on recyclables can attract more pests than the trash itself. So take the time to rinse those off before you put them into your recyclable bin. It will make a world of difference when it comes to the number of pests you need to try to keep out of your home.

5. Use the Right Lights

Did you know that the type of lights you have in your house can actually have a huge impact on deterring pests from entering your home? In fact, one of the best tricks to stop the number of flies and other insects from buzzing around is to replace your light bulbs with halogen lights. This is because they are the least attractive to insects so likely they’ll stay away from bulbs with a pink or yellow hue.

You can also look at the positioning of your lights too. Keeping them further away from the doors will mean that the bugs who do come near won’t be as close to the doors to sneak through when they are open. And if you must have a light by a door, then choose halogen every time.

6. Seal Off the Gaps

Pests are notorious for always finding ways in. That is why you should do an inspection of your home and see where all the cracks and gaps are and seal them off. The most common places for gaps include your kitchen cabinets and fridge, stove, and vents. Once you seal them off, you should not be able to feel an airflow anymore, meaning the pests won’t be able to sneak in.

7. Clean Your House Weekly

The more you clean your home, the less there will be that will attract pests in the first place. Get into the routine of mopping, vacuuming, and sweeping your home on at least a weekly basis. This will also help you spot any potential gaps where the pests can creep in too.

Conclusion

No one wants to deal with pests in their home. That is why you should get a magnetic bug screen and follow the other tips to ensure they can’t creep in.