“Pests” refer to annoying insects or animals that cause a disturbance to your environment, be it destroying the plants and fruits in your garden, or damaging your actual home, such as in the case of termites. There are several pests that can come into your home or environment and cause destruction or even bring in disease, that we need to watch for. It’s reported that over $2 billion is spent per year dealing with termite infestations in America. That’s a ton of money! If you’re looking for advice on what to do if you have an infestation or want to prevent one, here are three things to keep in mind. If all else fails, you might need a pest control service.
1. Keep wood at bay to prevent termites
During the cooler winter months, you might be relying on firewood for your family’s fireplace, or for a cookout. If you do have a good amount of firewood lying around, be sure to keep it raised and off the ground. If it is not necessary for you to keep wood near your home, refrain from doing so. Wood debris attracts termites, as do termite-infested trees and standing water, such as that in gutters or leaking faucets. Termites are no joke, and some termite species can lay up to 40,000 eggs per day. Gross! Taking these precautions can help with termite control. If anything, there are also termite control services when you can no longer take precautions.
2. A pest control service is always an option
If you have followed several different precautions to help prevent a pest infestation but are having no luck, it might be time to call in some help. Homeowners might want to try and avoid the cost of hiring an exterminator, but when an infestation is just too much to handle and begins to destroy your home or backyard, it might be time to give in. Sometimes it’s just a matter of a pest infestation causing so much distress that you need a pest control service, such as in the case of a cockroach infestation. Nobody wants to deal with that, and homeowners might want to deal with trying to handle it themselves. They want those pets taken care of, especially since they can carry disease. In fact, American roaches can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria.
3. Don’t keep trash around
If you’re really bad with taking the trash out and leave dirty dishes around your home, you’re creating a very welcoming environment for pests which can lead to an infestation. If you don’t want rats or cockroaches hanging out in your home, keep your area tidy and take out the trash ASAP. Keep the sink free of dirty dishes, and don’t keep food c=sources for pests to feed on open around your home.
Are you worried you might have an infestation? What signs have you noticed? Comment and tell us!