Animals such as raccoons and opossums are troublesome visitors to your property. Not only can they cause issues around the yard, but sometimes they're able to infest your home, creating a much more serious problem.
Keeping wildlife at bay is essential for avoiding any dangerous run-ins or the possibility of property damage. Here are a few key steps for keeping animals out of your home:
There are dozens of different animals that will use your garage, attic or other parts of your property as shelter if given the chance. Bats and birds may take advantage of small openings to make nests or raise young. Small rodents can slip under doors or chew their way into your walls. And even larger animals can sneak through surprisingly small openings to get indoors.
Stopping the possibility of an animal invasion starts with the effective upkeep of your home. Make sure you're proactive about repairs to siding or roofing that otherwise leave your house exposed. Likewise, use screens to cover windows or vents that represent an easy passageway for opportunistic animals. The Humane Society of the United States reported this is a safe way to keep animals out of your home.
After taking a few steps to keep animals away, make sure to keep a close eye on your home throughout the year. Bad weather and prodding animals can undermine these exclusion efforts and leave your house vulnerable.
Another key step for stopping animals from entering your home is to try and keep them away from your property entirely. For example, if you have a family of raccoons happily living in your yard, it's more likely that they'll uncover an opening to your house.
If your yard provides shelter, animals are likely to settle in. Smaller creatures like rodents and rabbits can hide in leaf litter, grass trimmings and other debris, while raccoons and opossums may turn a dying tree or old burrow into a home.
By eliminating areas for animals to hide, you can reduce the odds they later colonize your home. Every few weeks, spend time removing yard waste from your property. Likewise, keep your garage, shed or any other area clean too.
It may be the case that would-be pests have found a home elsewhere in your neighborhood, but if your yard offers an opportunity for an easy meal, they could still end up colonizing your property. Usually this means making sure your garbage bins are secure, and even double-bagging food waste.
To really reduce pest problems, talk to your family about keeping outdoor areas clean. Your children could leave behind snacks and other items that later entice a hungry animal. Even your pet food can make for an easy meal for a number of different creatures.
Bringing in a professional to manage a possible pest problem is key. Many of the steps that homeowners take by themselves are either ineffective or even dangerous. Your best bet is to work with a pest removal specialist to identify the best, most sustainable solutions. In that way you can safely protect your property and home.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
It's finally here - sweet, sweet summertime at last! But has your time outside already been rudely interrupted by swarms of pesky bugs trying to take a stab at you? This season, let's say no more to swatting, slapping or clapping at these insects who seem to be tormenting innocent outdoors enthusiasts every year. Fortunately, the solution isn't as chemical ridden as you might think. As it turns out, some of your favorite scents are insects least favorite.
Not every creature that visits your property is a dangerous nuisance. Many animals actually offer a number of benefits that keep your yard healthy. Predatory animals, in particular, actually offer natural pest control. Here are five common suburban creatures that can help keep more difficult or annoying animals at bay:
Discovering a mouse is loose in your home can be a real headache, and for restaurant owners, such an infestation can be an even bigger problem. Mice may be cute, but they simply do not belong in the kitchen, attic or anywhere else. If you've noticed any of these signs around your house or business, it may be time to call in a professional rodent exterminator:
The customer is always right, and this is especially true if he or she is complaining about seeing a mouse or cockroach. Pests have no place in your organization, as bugs and rodents will turn away potential business or even lead to a possible lawsuit. Keeping your company protected requires a proactive approach. Work with a pest removal specialist to identify the best ways to stop creatures from infesting your business. Here are just a few ideas for successfully mitigating and preventing any issues:
