Preventive Pest Control Tips In Your Home

Rodents and insects are just more than a benign trouble. Mice can contaminate your foods and cause food poisoning with bacteria-laden faeces, while mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites would lead to an endless list of problems that could cost you a lot of money and efforts. Fortunately, all of these harmful pests need shelters and foods to live, so you can ward them off when you know what to do. Here are several tips for pest control in your home.

1. Eliminate sources of moisture

Many pests such as mosquitoes require moisture to lay eggs and survive, while the others rely on water to weaken and damage timber before they start constructing nests in the wood. Thus, you should check to plumb frequently for any leaking pipe. Additionally, make sure to examine the seals around your toilets or bathtubs. If these parts are deteriorating and old, you should caulk them to avoid infestations. Another source of moisture in your house is gutter. It is necessary to free this area from any clog with downspouts correctly draining from its foundation.

2. Store food in airtight containers

Do not store your foods in paper and plastic packaging as it can be an ideal choice for tiny insects such as rodents. Instead, you should keep drinks and foods in insect-resistant glass or hard plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Pay attention to pet foods or bird seeds, which are the favourite option of mice, and store them in a trash can-type container with tight-fitting lids as well.

3. Reduce clutter inside and outside

A clutter will not only provide pests with a favourable place to survive, but it also makes you less likely to recognize the issue. Stored boxes which are rarely disturbed and observed can be a good spot for pest infestations to grow. Thus, you should pay special attention when storing natural fibre and wool items because they can attract beetles and moths. Silverfish feed on wallpapers, books, papers, and glue, so you should discard these items regularly if not used. Anything that needs to be kept for an extended period should be stored in tightly sealed boxes after being washed and dry cleaned.

4. Weatherize your house

Your house might have several hidden areas which pests can use to come inside. Ideally, you should inspect the exterior parts at least once per months check for small holes or cracks. Patching holes around wires or exterior faucets, vent or window screens, and door sweeps are important to keeping harmful pests outside, especially when the weather gets cold and insects start looking for warmer places to survive. In most cases, these cracks or holes can be repaired with cement or caulk.

5. Regular cleaning

Vacuum furniture and carpets regularly, particularly when if you have a dog or cat which might pick up outdoor fleas. Also, sweep your kitchen, wash dishes, and wipe counters on a daily basis. Check your spice and pantry cabinets frequently for flour beetles and meal moths which can enter your home in boxed products.

For effective pest management in Townsville, get in contact with specialists through their Facebook page.

Rodents Are A Nuisance And Here’s How To Get Rid Of Them

Besides roaches, members of the rodent family are certainly the most reviled household pests. At Poor Richard’s Household Pests, we hate rodents, but we know how to deal with them.

If mice and rats gain entry to your home, they can do damage and stress you out. Rats are very destructive and can chew through electrical cables, timber flooring and insulation. They also gnaw through packaging, damaging foodstuffs. Worse, they can bring other pests like fleas and lice with them.

They’re known to spread diseases, mostly plague. You’re in danger of infection if you’re bitten by a rat. Handling an infected rat or coming into contact with rat saliva, urine or faeces puts your health at risk too. On the whole, though, rats aren’t filthy animals. Unlike other pests, they look after themselves quite well that they have separate ‘bedroom’ and ‘bathroom’ areas in their refuges.

Rodents are common in Australia, especially in urban areas, where they have abundant food sources and nesting locations. NSW is Australia’s rodent capital, with Penrith the #1 suburb.

Identifying a Rodent Problem

You have a rodent problem if any of the following signs are evident:

• Noises near your dustbins or in your ceiling
• Small droppings in your cupboards or on the ground
• Signs of chewing and gnawing
• Holes in your doors, fence or other access points

DIY Rodent Control

Making your home unattractive to rats or mice is the easiest way to avoid a rodent problem. This begins with denying them food and shelter:

• Remove fallen fruits from the ground
• Keep firewood off the ground
• Limit the amount of rubbish lying around
• Repair or seal potential access points, like gaps
• Remove all water sources, including leaking pipes and dripping taps
• Keep your bins closed and rubbish secure

Getting Rid of Rodents

Rodenticides, or chemical baits, are normally used to control rodents. Warfarin is one of the most popular poisons, but some rats have become immune to it. Newer, more effective chemicals have been developed. These come in liquid or solid form and only require one dose. Poisons don’t work instantly. They take around a week, and one downside is that rodents smell when they die. All rodenticides should be used with care if kids and pets are around. Pest control experts use glue traps, snap traps and rat traps which are non-lethal.

Cost of Rodent Control

Depending on where you live, the extent of your problem and the size of your property, expect to pay $250 – $350.

Hiring a Pest Controller

Pest controllers are regulated on a local state basis. Licensing requirements are different, so check with your local regulator. Before you hire, ask a few questions: Are you licensed and insured? How long have you been in business? Can you prepare a written quote? Do you have references I can contact? What products will you use and how effective are they?

Request a detailed quote, including the cost of labour and all materials used. Choose the service you think or have been told will do a great job. Try not to be swayed by price. Cheaper isn’t necessarily better. Local rodent controllers have the know-how, training and equipment to get rid of the hairy critters permanently.

For reliable pest control use cpestcontrol.com.au. They have a full list of their pest control services on their site. Check them out!