Cleaning Tips That Help Keep Pests Out
No one likes finding creepy crawlies in their personal space. Keeping your house clean is the best way to prevent unwanted critters from making your home, theirs. Here are a few specific measures you should take to make sure those pests stay out!
Wipe Surfaces
Leftover food, sticky spills, anything that promises a sugary treat attracts bugs and rodents into your place.
Once they get in, they bring in with them a variety of bacteria and dirty, harmful particles that can get into your food or be picked up from the very surfaces you touch frequently.
Wiping surfaces removes that attractive residue; disinfecting those surfaces ensures that your spaces will additionally repel and remove those dangerous particles from entering or sticking around those areas.
Chemicals are an easy option, but according to Nature’s Nurture, there are also plenty of natural disinfectants that will do the job—white vinegar, citrus smells, even herbs and spices like mint or cinnamon are repellent to insects that might want to build their nests in the nooks and crannies of your home.
Put Food Away
Again, the promise of food will pull in pests more than any other source. Keeping all food tightly contained will remove that access and therefore that temptation for pests.
For example, according to Proterra, storing food in airtight containers helps keep ants away.
Keep even dry, packaged food products off the ground and open containers well sealed. Take inventory of your food storage monthly to determine any boxes or bags that need to be disposed of.
Consider extra precautionary measures that will distance or contain your food effectively. Trash bins can turn into a breeding ground for bugs—look into special bins or bags that are designed and made with repellent or resistant materials.
Prevent Moisture
Damp, cool, and dark areas are a pest’s dream home. According to Trends Wood Finishing, this means that places like under the sink or anywhere else around plumbing are very appealing to bugs and rodents.
Moisture from building up in these places causes a damp, soft breakdown of materials. To prevent this, check those vulnerable spots for leaks. Make sure any necessary repairs are completed and use fans to dry out the areas quickly.
Or, consider replacing the materials in those areas with waterproof materials like tiles or varnish. Keeping this moisture away will consequently keep pests away!
Implementing these precautions will ensure that pests stay out of your space. Keep things clean, contained, and dry, and relax knowing that your home is yours alone!
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