The first step to protecting your home against pests is understanding the types of pests that are likely to infest your property.   There are several different types of bugs and rodents that can enter an improperly sealed or maintained home. The most common ones are cockroaches, ants, mice, flies and termites. Understanding what type of pest you’re dealing with will help ensure you take the appropriate steps in order to keep them out for good!

Step 1: Call Pest Control Services

Pest control services are often very affordable depending on the company. They will be able to assess your property thoroughly and determine what type of pest solutions are necessary before initiating treatment procedures. The following is a list of common infestations and their indicators:

Cockroaches: The most common pest found in homes is the cockroach. If you see brown, black or reddish stains on your home’s surface, it could be an indicator that cockroaches are residing in your property. They are known to leave chemical trails which they use for navigation.

Ants: Ants can also be found crawling around your home during nighttime hours. They are typically seen within cracks or crevices near corners of your property. You may even find trails left behind by ants as they travel from one place to another!

Mice: Mice are the most common rodents found in homes. They like to live in dark places, void of bright light. Some indications that mice may be establishing a home within your walls include droppings—which are about the size of rice grains or pencil erasers—or small holes near entry points on walls or floors.

Flies: Flies also like to reside in dark corners close to food sources such as garbage cans and dirty dishes. Sometimes you’ll even see them buzzing around your fruit bowl! But did you know flies can get into your home through open windows or doors? Be sure to check for any cracks or openings during warmer months when it’s prime fly season.

Termites: If there is wood in your home, the termites will find it. They usually attack wood in warm areas such as near fireplaces, basements and kitchens. It’s important to remember that termites eat wood and wooden surfaces such as door frames and window sills too!

Step 2: Seal cracks or openings around your home

Once you’ve identified the type of pest infesting your property, you should begin making efforts to seal any cracks or openings around your home. This includes light fixtures, vents and outlets—basically any place through which a pest can get into your home! Use caulk or scrap pieces of wood to plug up these holes at night when pests are most active. 

Step 3: Inspect food regularly

A good rule of thumb is to inspect your pantry and kitchen twice a month for signs of potential infestations. This includes the areas behind the microwave, refrigerator and oven since these appliances can allow pests into your home through small holes or cracks. If you’ve already identified that there is an infestation in your home, it’s time to take action! One great way to prevent pests from returning is by sealing dry goods such as rice, flour and sugar properly. This means tightly closing bags and containers once they become half full. Also make sure you store all edible products like fruit in the refrigerator, where pests will have difficulty accessing them.

Step 4: Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy

Rodents and roaches alike prefer unclean spaces! It’s important to regularly wash dirty dishes, pick up after yourself and clean your floors on a regular basis. A messy home is an easy way for pests to find food and harborage while also giving you the added benefit of tidiness (which makes you happier too!). If you’ve already identified the pests invading your property, vacuum frequently! This will help prevent them from laying eggs in corners where they usually prefer to reside—under rugs and carpets, within sofas and beds, etc. You may even want to try using an additional attachment to remove pet hair as it can build up quickly without regular vacuuming! 

Step 5: Leave bate as well as insect traps

These traps serve as a deterrent as well as alert you to the presence of unwelcome guests. It is also a great way to keep infestations under control. Do your best to not use sticky traps though, as they catch small animals like geckos that naturally take care of other pests like mosquitoes.

Step 6: Invest in a high-quality air purifier

Consider investing in a good indoor air purifier. Air purifiers typically target the following common irritants: allergens, dust mites, and pet dander/fur. Stail air invites pests in.

Step 7: Keep an eye out for signs of future infestation

After you have properly rid your home of any current infestations, try preventing future ones by continuing these tips! Keep your windows closed when it’s raining or windy outside since these conditions may make them more susceptible to breaking. Make sure there are no holes or cracks around window frames, doors or vents which can create entry points for pests. Plus, making sure your home is properly insulated will reduce the risk of outdoor pests entering. If you do see anything out of the ordinary, be sure to seal it shut immediately!

The threat of pests can be a scary one for many homeowners and renters. Rodents, ants, flies and cockroaches are some of the most common home-invading pests you may encounter in your area. Fortunately, there are 7 steps you can take to keep them out! In this article we’ve explored how to seal cracks or openings around your home using caulk or scrap pieces of wood to plug up these holes at night when pest activity is highest. We also talked about inspecting food regularly before it becomes infested with bugs that will then spread into other areas of your house. Keeping a clean space so that it is easy to see signs of a new infestation is so important. The first port of call should always be to hire a contractor so that you know your problem is taken care of for good.