1. Block the entry to your home
Your first line of defense is to make it difficult for pests to even find an entry to your home. Check all your screens for holes, and repair if you find any. Check around your doors and windows for gaps.
2. Keep a clean kitchen
A pile of crumbs on your counter or floor is like a treasure chest to ants and other insects. Wipe your counters, sweep your floors, put food away immediately, and take out the trash regularly.
3. Eat your fruits & vegetables
Don’t let fruits and veggies get overly ripe on your counter, this will invite fruit flies.
4. Get rid of standing water
Getting rid of standing water is the first step to control mosquitoes. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. It’s easy to miss standing water sometimes, so regularly walk your property to check for it. Look in rain spouts, check for leaks near your air conditioning unit, and pick up toys left scattered throughout the yard.
5. Maintain your yard
Keep your landscaping maintained to avoid overgrowth that is perfect for pests and their nests. Trim bushes and trees that are near the house, rake up debris and weed your garden regularly.
6. Store your firewood properly
Don’t give termites free access to your home. If you store firewood, keep it away from your house or shed. 1.5 meters should be the minimum distance. Also, store it in racks above the ground.
7. Throw meat in outside garbage closer to collection day
Try not to throw meat scraps in your outside garbage unless the garbage will be picked up in the next 48 hours or so. The combination of rotting meat and summer sun could bring unwanted pests to your yard alarmingly fast.
8. Inspect swings & outdoor furniture
Regularly check the chains and corners of your swing sets and outdoor furniture for spider webs and egg sacks. Remove them when you see them.
9. Don’t bring the outside in
If you have to bring in an outside toy, chair or table, thoroughly wipe it down first.
10. Use a pest control service
Hire a local pest control service to come to your home and regularly spray for bugs and rodents common to your area.
