Nobody loves the idea of uninvited guests in their home – and for clarity, we don’t mean your neighbour popping round for a cup of tea and a gossip. No, we’re talking something much less sociable – from ants in the kitchen to spiders in the loft, household pests can strike even when you keep your home prim and proper, and they tend to congregate where they are least welcome. The good news is that a few small regular habits can go a long way to keeping them away. We can’t speak for whether it will work on neighbours, but you can try,
Block the entry points
The best way to stop pests from becoming a problem is preventing all means of ingress. Check for small gaps in window frames and around doors, and any spots where pipes go from being outside to inside. These gaps may seem to be too small for anything problematic to get in – but bear in mind that mice can squeeze through gaps roughly the size of a pencil – and once they’re in, they tend to let their friends know. Sealing with caulk, potentially reinforced with steel wool, can keep them out – and improve your home’s insulation.
Keep things clean and dry
We know you already do, but when we say clean, there is a level above the usual where it is advisable to focus your efforts if you’re concerned about pests. Food, warmth and water are what pests are looking for when they enter a home. So wiping down all surfaces after food prep, keeping bins tightly sealed, and not leaving pet bowls out overnight are all important. Yes, this may mean your cat wakes you early because they unexpectedly found the buffet closed, but it really helps. In damp areas such as basements and laundry rooms, keep a dehumidifier running; annoying insects will find your home less welcoming.
Don’t forget the dark corners
Infestations tend to happen first in the places we rarely look: behind appliances, under the stairs, in the loft or the garage. Poor lighting in these areas makes it hard for us to see signs like droppings, webs or nesting materials. It’s not a problem for these creatures, who tend to have excellent night vision. Upgrading lighting can make these areas more visible and less tempting to pests (and bacteria or mould). Long-lasting LED tubes are a smart choice for spaces like utility rooms or attics – they help you inspect these areas, and pests are also less likely to enter and settle in spaces that don’t feel hidden.
Store at height
It’s always a good idea to keep floors and walking areas clear simply from a safety perspective, but even anything attached to the ground is less than ideal for storage if it can be stored at height. That means lower cupboards are a bad place to store food, even pet food, but also cardboard boxes and piles of paperwork. If pests can use it as a food source or for nesting materials, they will and even if the home is scrupulously clean, pests may take a fancy to low-hanging fruit. Don’t give them the chance.
Finally, if you do see signs of pests, such as chewed packaging or droppings, act quickly. The longer the issue is unaddressed, the more pests will show up, so consider traps, a light spray of peppermint oil (which mice, in particular, hate), and if you’re not confident of handling it yourself, call in professionals to help.
Good tips! I’d also say don’t forget about the ducts. I’ve seen places where there’s a ton of dust, bugs, even mouse droppings sitting in there. It’s not the first thing people think of, but getting them cleaned out makes the house feel fresher and makes it harder for pests to hang around.