Pest management and control has always been one of the biggest issues that Filipino homeowners face today. With the tropical climate and humid weather, coupled with less-than-desirable living conditions for others, many unfortunately experience pest invasion in their homes. Nobody deserves to live in a house infested with invasive critters that constantly scuttle across the floor or persistently buzz near the ears.
While others are content to let these critters roam free in their home, thinking they are innocent and harmless, pests can pose health threats and cause damage to living areas. Pests can bring diseases and trigger asthma or allergic reactions in people, and indeed, they are usually indicators of a dirty space in desperate need of thorough cleaning. Hence, it is important for you to implement necessary measures against pests to ensure the cleanliness of your abode and to prioritize the health of everyone in your home.
To do this, here are some effective ways that can help you get rid of these annoying pests:
1. Make a Regular Cleaning Schedule
Pests thrive in unclean environments where food and shelter are readily available, so dispelling them from your home means you have to take away their resources. Regular cleaning of your house creates an environment that is inhospitable to pests. Start by adopting an efficient cleaning routine that you can do 3-5 times a week—or every day if your schedule allows. Also designate time to deep clean your home at least twice a month. Make it a daily habit to wipe down tabletops and counters and eliminate food residue to deter pests from feasting on your leftovers and spills.
2. Reduce Household Clutter
Whether it’s a stack of dusty magazines or a heap of worn-out cardboard boxes, pests tend to settle in cluttered areas of the house where the mess allows them to have a shelter where they can grow and multiply. If there are corners in the house that are littered with clutter, then clean and organize these spaces as thoroughly as you can.
For example, you can replace cardboard storage with plastic containers as the latter is less appealing to pests and offers better protection for your belongings. Keeping your things organized can reduce the chances of pest infestations.
3. Inspect and Treat Secondhand Furniture
While buying used furniture can be sustainable and cost-effective, you have to check each piece of furniture you buy thoroughly to prevent unwanted guests from sneaking into your home. If you’ve recently purchased secondhand furniture, look for signs of bed bugs or mites, especially along the seams and hidden areas. If the furniture smells musty, it could also be an indication of mold or past pest issues.
To ensure that your furniture is pest-free, leave it outdoors for a few days where it can be treated with insecticide, washed, vacuum-cleaned, and even steam-cleaned for extra precaution, if necessary. If you want to avoid the hassle of going through this cleaning procedure, then try to look for second hand furniture online from trusted and reputable sellers or merchants.
4. Store Your Food Properly
To a pest, your kitchen is like an all-you-can-eat buffet. If you’re not careful enough, you might have a troublesome pest infestation in your hands very soon. Keep your food in airtight containers and store leftovers in the refrigerator to keep insects from getting all over them. To fully cut off their resources and food supply, empty your trash bins regularly and ensure these are fully closed in between cleaning.
5. Seal Entry Points
Your first line of defense against pest invasion (and perhaps the most simple one) is to not let them in in the first place. Inspect the exterior of your house regularly and check for cracks, gaps, and holes in your windows, doors, and walls. If you ever find any, seal these with caulk or similar sealants to avoid any critters from squeezing through and entering your home uninvited. Also consider installing a sealing strip underneath each door as this is another point of ingress for pests.
6. Use Natural Repellents
If you want to keep pests away but hate chemicals, consider using natural repellents. Mint, lavender, basil, and citronella are some of the plants that may naturally repel pests, and you can position them around entry points to act as a deterrent. For those extra pesky insects like roaches and fleas, you can use diatomaceous earth to instantly eliminate them. This can be sprinkled as a powder or mixed with water to become a spray. With lots of all-natural and environmentally friendly options for you to choose from, you can keep your home pest-free without resorting to harmful and potent chemicals.
7. Monitor and Respond Quickly
Catching a potential infestation early on can save you time, money, and stress down the road. Regular checks of areas like the basement, attic, and garage will let you catch these unwanted guests before they settle in. If you spot signs—be it droppings, damaged belongings, or actual physical sightings of the pests—act quickly. Set up traps or consult a professional pest control service provider to curb the infestation before it grows. It’s always better to address the first signs of a problem rather than wait for it to escalate.
8. Professional Inspection
As touched on in the previous section, it is often the case that the best solution and the quickest fix to a pest problem is to call the experts. Professional inspections are a necessary precaution to ascertain that your home is squeaky clean and free from pests and vermin. These inspections also provide preventive treatments that turn your home into a no-go zone for pests and leave you with peace of mind.
Carry Out Pest Prevention the Right Way
And there you have it—a short guide to fortifying your home against pests. By implementing the strategies and proactive measures outlined above, you can create a healthier living space that is sanitized and comfortable for everyone in your household. Remember, a little effort now can prevent significant pest-related problems later on. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and here’s to a pest-free home!
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